Russell M. Racine

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 Racine serves as the Chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice Group and represents clients in all aspects of intellectual property. Russ helps clients navigate the challenges of both enforcing their intellectual property rights and defending against allegations of infringement from others. Russ litigates cases related to patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade dress, and trade secrets in North and South Carolina, and federal courts throughout the southeast. Russ routinely defends insureds against advertising injury allegations including violations of the Lanham Act, unfair competition and deceptive trade practices, libel, defamation, and invasion of privacy. In addition to litigating advertising injury and intellectual property cases, Russ routinely counsels clients on how best to obtain trademark registrations, domestically and internationally, and how to deal with other parties who are infringing or about to infringe his client’s intellectual property. As a key part of protecting clients’ assets, he counsels his clients regarding the best strategies to protect, maintain, and expand their intellectual property rights.

As a licensed patent attorney for almost 20 years, Russ has represented clients at the United States Patent and Trademark Office and helped with securing patents in numerous areas of art including chemical, mechanical, pharmaceutical, automotive, water purification, industrial, and medical devices. Additionally, he has represented clients in proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and Internet-related matters involving domain disputes, website infringements, cybersquatting, and false advertising. Russ also guides his clients in ways to avoid litigation and assists with resolving disputes before litigation becomes necessary via licensing, contracts, and other pre-suit resolutions. He recognizes that many businesses benefit from early attempts to resolve intellectual property issues before they become lawsuits and guides clients in preparing and negotiating contracts that protect their intellectual property rights.

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 Cranfill Sumner 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.