Russell M. Racine (Russ) focuses his practice in the areas of intellectual property, professional liability, aviation, and insurance in state and Federal courts in both North Carolina and South Carolina. His background and experience allow him to strategically represent and advise clients in all aspects of disputes, including how to resolve conflicts and avoid litigation.
Intellectual Property
Russ helps clients navigate the challenges of enforcing their intellectual property rights and defending against infringement allegations from others. Russ litigates cases related to patents, trademarks, and trade secrets, and also represents clients in suits alleging unfair competition, deceptive trade practices, Lanhan Act violations, advertising injuries, and other business related issues. Russ routinely counsels clients on how best to obtain trademark registrations, and how to deal with other parties who may be infringing or about to infringe his client’s rights. As a key part of protecting client’s assets, he counsels his clients regarding the best strategies to protect, maintain, and expand their trademark rights.
As a licensed patent attorney, Russ uses his experience obtaining patents to pursue invalidity allegations and other defenses against patents asserted in litigation. Russ has assisted clients in obtaining patents in numerous areas of art including chemical, mechanical, pharmaceutical, automotive, water purification, industrial, and medical devices. As part of his intellectual property practice, he has represented clients in proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and in Internet domain disputes before the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. Russ also guides his clients in ways to avoid litigation and assists with resolving disputes before litigation via favorable, early settlements. He recognizes that many businesses benefit from early attempts to resolve intellectual property issues before they become lawsuits. Russ has represented a broad range of clients from individuals to Fortune 100 companies. In 2020 Russ became a member of Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite Hall of Fame as the overall winner in Intellectual Property.
Professional Liability
Russ also represents clients in the area of professional liability in state and Federal courts in both North Carolina and South Carolina. He defends professionals accused of negligence, malpractice, and other violations of their professional duties. Russ has represented real estate agents and brokers, directors and officers, and claims administrators and other insurance professionals. He has also represented attorneys accused of professional malpractice in claims repair and malpractice actions.
Aviation & Insurance
In addition to his intellectual and professional liability practice, Russ has also worked on aviation and insurance matters including wrongful death actions involving airplanes, tractor-trailers, cars, and motorcycles. He is a licensed mediator, and regularly advises and counsels clients regarding all forms of alternative dispute resolution. He is a member of the CSH Law COVID-19 Response Team.
*Cases or matters referenced do not represent the attorney’s entire record. Each case is unique and must be evaluated on its own merits. The outcome of a particular case cannot be predicated upon a lawyer’s or a law firm’s past results.
Most Recent Posts
Supreme Court Rules that a Generic Term Combined with “.com” is Protectable
Recently the Supreme Court affirmed registration on the principal register for what appeared to be a generic term. In United States… Read More
CSH Law Launches COVID-19 Response Team
Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (CSH Law) announced the creation of its COVID-19 Response Team. The team is comprised of… Read More
Seven Actions for Protecting your Brand During the COVID-19 Crisis
COVID-19 is responsible for the most disruptive time for business in recent history. Not only are many small businesses under… Read More
CSH Law Staff Members Participate in 4ALL Statewide Service Day
Members of the Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (CSH Law) offices participated in the North Carolina Bar Foundation’s 13th Annual 4ALL Statewide Service Day on Friday, March 6.… Read More
Russell Racine Chosen as Legal Elite Overall Winner in Intellectual Property
Russell Racine, a partner at Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (CSH Law), was recently recognized as the Overall Winner in Intellectual Property by the 2020 Legal Elite from Business North Carolina magazine. As an Overall Winner, Russ is now a member of the Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite Hall of Fame.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog Attorneys Listed Among 2020 Legal Elite
Seven Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (CSH Law) attorneys were recognized by Business North Carolina magazine as part of the magazine’s Legal Elite program.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog Attorneys Listed Among 2019 Legal Elite
Six Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (CSH Law) attorneys were recognized by Business North Carolina magazine as part of the magazine’s Legal Elite program.… Read More
4ALL Statewide Service Day
Attorneys from the offices of Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (CSH Law) participated in the North Carolina Bar Association’s 11th Annual 4ALL Statewide Service Day on Friday, March 2.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP Names Two New Partners
Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (CSH Law) today announced that Jerri Simmons and Russ Racine have been named partners in the firm. Both attorneys are based in the firm’s Charlotte office.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog Attorneys Listed Among 2018 Legal Elite
Seven Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (CSH Law) attorneys were recognized by Business North Carolina magazine as part of the magazine’s Legal Elite program.… Read More
Russ Racine to Speak at TAP Talk
Russ Racine, Of Counsel with Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP, will present at the Nov. 14 TAP Talk presented by the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association. The event will be held at the Pitt Community College Small Business Center in Greenville.… Read More
Russ Racine to Speak at NCRMA TAP Talk
Russ Racine, an attorney in the Charlotte office of Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP, will speak at the April 20th TAP Talk sponsored by the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association. Russ will be presenting “Tips for Navigating Intellectual Property Issues for Retail Businesses” to North Carolina business owners. … Read More
CSH Law Attorneys Receive AV Rating From Martindale-Hubbell
Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (CSH Law) today announced that 11 attorneys have recently received an AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.… Read More
CSH Law Attorneys Participate in 4ALL Statewide Service Day
Six attorneys from Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (CSH Law) participated in the North Carolina Bar Association’s 10th Annual 4ALL Statewide Service Day on Friday, March 3. The statewide event is sponsored by the North Carolina Bar Association Foundation and the North Carolina Bar Association (NCBA).… Read More
Summary Judgment Granted in Action Against Real Estate Agents
Russ Racine, Virginia Wooten, and Meredith FitzGibbon obtained Summary Judgment for a North Carolina real estate agent and her employer… Read More
Russ Racine to Present at NCRMA TAP Talks
Russ Racine, an attorney in the Charlotte office of Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP, will serve as a featured speaker at the Raleigh and Charlotte editions of TAP Talks. TAP Talks is an event sponsored by the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association. … Read More
Russ Racine to Speak at NCRMA TAP Talk Seminar
Russ Racine, an attorney in the Charlotte office of Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP, will be a featured speaker at the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association Retail TAP Talk. The seminars offer information for retail businesses from marketing, legal and insurance perspectives. Russ will discuss “Intellectual Property Issues for Retail Businesses.”… Read More
CSH Law Attorneys Participate in 4ALL Statewide Service Day
Eight attorneys from Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (CSH Law) participated in the North Carolina Bar Association’s 9th Annual 4ALL Statewide Service Day on Friday, March 4. The statewide event is sponsored by the North Carolina Bar Association Foundation and the North Carolina Bar Association (NCBA).… Read More
CSH Law Attorneys Participate in 4ALL Statewide Service Day
Eleven attorneys from Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (CSH Law) participated in the North Carolina Bar Association’s 8th Annual 4ALL Statewide Service Day on Friday, March 6. … Read More
Russ Racine Joins CSH Law Charlotte
Russ Racine has joined CSH Law, where he will focus his practice in the areas of Aviation Law, Construction, Criminal Defense and Intellectual Property.… Read More