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Chris Colvin

Pediment of a white marble courtouse engraved with the words "Equal Justice Under Law"

Chris Colvin

Partner

[email protected]

212-419-5210, ext. 703

212-619-5378 (mobile)

Chris Colvin has worked as an Intellectual Property litigator for over 25 years, delivering outstanding results for companies of every size in all types of IP cases, including patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret and false advertising disputes. Prior to joining Leichtman Law in 2021, Mr. Colvin worked with a number leading law firms and companies, including as an IP Partner in an AmLaw 100 law firm and as an in-house IP attorney with a Fortune 100 legal department.

Mr. Colvin was selected as a 2023 New York Metro Super Lawyer.

Mr. Colvin joined Leichtman Law because he admired the firm’s commitment to making our client’s business objectives our number one priority and always seeking to deploy our available human and technological resources to help our clients achieve those objectives as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Mr. Colvin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University. After starting his career as an engineer with IBM, where he designed key components of the U.S. air traffic control system, Mr. Colvin earned a J.D. from George Washington University Law School, where he was one of only 15 students in his class awarded seats on both the Moot Court Board and a competitive law journal. Most recently, Mr. Colvin earned a Certificate in Cybersecurity from Harvard University.

Education

Princeton University, B.S. Aerospace Engineering (1988)

George Washington University, J.D. (1995)

Harvard University, Cybersecurity Certificate (2018)

Bar Admissions

New York State Bar (2001)

Louisiana State Bar (1998)

California State Bar (1995)

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (1994)

U.S. District Court — District of New Jersey (2004)

U.S. District Court — Eastern District of New York (2001)

U.S. District Court — Southern District of New York (2001)

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (1999)

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (1998)

U.S. District Court — Western District of Louisiana (1998)

U.S. District Court — Eastern District of Louisiana (1998)

U.S. District Court — Central District of California (1995)

U.S. District Court — Northern District of California (1995)

Professional Associations

Founder, PARC — a social media organization bringing together business, legal and technology leaders to help achieve long, successful careers in the rapidly evolving legal services industry.

Founder, In The Housean in-house legal think tank producing events, surveys and white papers promoting best practices for legal departments (2011-present).

Founder, IvyLife — a professional networking organization for alumni of Ivy League universities.

Founding Member, Association of Amicus Counsel — an organization of attorneys who are committed to serving the public interest through training, scholarship, and outstanding advocacy in the field of amicus curiae practice.

Representative Cases

Mr. Colvin has successfully handled dozens of IP litigation matters, resulting in victories or favorable settlements for his clients. For example, Mr. Colvin:

  • Brought one of the first cases under the Defend Trade Secrets Act, a new federal trade secrets statute enacted in 2016
  • Obtained a $0 dismissal with prejudice of an American Disabilities Act (ADA) claim made against the website of an international fashion retail client. Gomez v. Paul & Shark (S.D. Fl.)
  • Represented major private equity firm in cancellation and opposition proceedings in the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB)
  • Won a complex month-long Lanham Act trial for a pharmaceutical client, including extensive injunctive relief and one of largest damages awards in Lanham Act history. Bracco v. Amersham (D.N.J.)
  • Won a Federal Circuit appeal for an international semiconductor equipment manufacturer, vacating the lower court’s judgment of patent infringement and a multimillion dollar jury verdict. August v. Camtek (Fed. Cir.)
  • Secured $0 pre-answer dismissal of patent infringement complaint against U.S. subsidiary of Global 100 technology company. ExitExchange v. NTT America (E.D. Tx.)
  • Won motion to transfer declaratory judgment patent action from SDNY to EDTX. CreateThe Group v. GeoTag (S.D.N.Y.)
  • Prepared complaint and TRO motion papers for copyright and trade secret theft case for leading business management software company; Successfully negotiated pre-litigation settlement
  • Led damages portion of two multimillion dollar patent infringement cases for pioneering e-signature company
  • Co-led infringement portion of large patent and trade secret case on behalf of leading media and marketing analytics company
  • Successfully defended a major semiconductor chip manufacturer against a multimillion dollar patent infringement action; settled favorably during trial. OPTi v. AMD (E.D. Tx.)
  • Defeated a copyright infringement action against an apparel manufacturer, resulting in a zero-dollar settlement and dismissal of the case. Volumecocomo Apparel v. LTC Apparel (C.D. Cal.)
  • Successfully defended a major automobile manufacturer in a multimillion dollar patent infringement action relating to vehicle navigation system, resulting in a favorable pre-trial settlement. Triangle Software v. Volkswagen (E.D. Va.)
  • Successfully defended a large wine producer in SDNY trademark infringement case, featured on front page of Wall Street Journal and Law360; obtained favorable pre-trial settlement. Casella Wines v. The Wine Group (S.D.N.Y.)
  • Defeated motions for temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction brought by patent holder against large generic drug manufacturer. Graceway v. Nycomed (D.N.J.)
  • Successfully defended multiple television personalities in a copyright infringement action in SDNY, resulting in favorable pre-trial settlement. Freeplay Music v. The Wisdom Center (S.D.N.Y.)
  • Successfully defended a large entertainment company (Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.) in several litigation matters, including a copyright infringement and breach of contract suit, resulting in zero-dollar settlement
  • Successfully defended a multi-billion dollar insurance company in an insurance coverage dispute with a media conglomerate, involving complex underlying copyright liability and damages issues, resulting in favorable pre-trial settlement. Music Force v. Viacom (C.D.Cal.)
  • Won ANDA patent infringement trial in SDNY involving $1.5 billion pharmaceutical product, resulting in favorable post-trial settlement. Purdue v. Endo (S.D.N.Y.)
  • Successfully appealed an adverse false advertising decision, resulting in a reversal of trial court ruling and a landmark decision regarding the important issue of advertising “puffery” and permitting Papa Johns to retain its “Better Ingredients. Better Pizza.” slogan which remains in use today. Pizza Hut v. Papa Johns (5th Cir.)
  • Represented a manufacturer of factory automation systems in a patent infringement appeal to the Federal Circuit and successfully concluding the subsequent damages phase in the district court. Laitram Corp. v. NEC (Fed. Cir.)
  • Represented Emmy award-winning music producer in a protracted contract and IP dispute with a former business associate, including numerous appeals, ultimately prevailing on all issues on summary judgment. Hoover v. Lanois (La.)
  • Represented the leading producer of decorative stained glass novelty items in a copyright and trade dress infringement action against a former supplier and bringing a summary judgment motion that precipitated a favorable settlement of all claims. Joan Baker Designs v. Silver Bay Creations (C.D. Cal.)
Publications and Speaking Engagements

Panelist, West LegalEdCenter Seminar – Managing Cyber Risks in the Era of BYOD (June 2017)

Panelist, West LegalEdcenter Seminar – Internet and Email Evidence: Admissibility and Authentication (January 2017)

Panelist, ABA IP Section: NPE-Related Actions at the USPTO and in Litigation (December 2016)

A Modest Proposal for Law Partners: Go In-House — At Least Temporarily, In The House Insights (November 2016)

Five Factors Driving Power and Change for In-House Counsel, In The House Insights (October 2016)

Speaker, LegalTech, 3rd Annual Cyber Security Roundup (February 2016)

Speaker, LegalTech, 2nd Annual Cyber Security Roundup (February 2015)

Speaker, LegalTech, Minimizing Cyber Security and Litigation Risk (February 2014)

Cyber Warfare and the Corporate Environment, Journal Of Law & Cyber Warfare (August 2013)

A “Third Way” to Staff High-Stakes Litigation Matters, Corporate Counsel Magazine (July 2013)

Chair, Alternative Fee Panel, Corp Counsel’s 25th Annual General Counsel Conference (June 2013)

Advisory Board, The American Lawyer’s Second Annual Litigation Summit and Exposition (November 2012)

Chairman and Speaker, IP Litigation Panel, Corporate Counsel Copyright, Trademark and IP Licensing Forum (October 2012)

Chairman, General Counsel Panel Discussion, The American Lawyer’s New Partner & Corporate Counsel Forum (October 2012)

Speaker and Chairman, America Invents Act Panel, ALM IP Counsel Forum (March 2012)

Speaker, ALM New Partner Forum (October 2011)

Speaker, ALM Law Firm Marketing & Business Development Leadership Forum (May 2011)

Speaker, Beyond the Basics: Integrated Social Media Marketing for Law Firms (Sept 2011)

National Law Journal article citing effective use of social media in legal industry (Oct 2011)

Wall Street Journal and IP 360 articles featuring Casella v. The Wine Group case (Feb 2011)

HealthLaw 360 article featuring win in Bracco v. Amersham Lanham Act case (March 2009)

Higher Authority: The Supreme Court Sets Its Sights On Patent Rights, Metropolitan Corporate Counsel (September 2008)

The Truth is Out There: Five Key Points on Willfulness Under the Lanham Act, Atlantic Coast In-House (May 2008)

Be Aware and Take Action on Your IP Rights, Furniture Today (March 2007)

Hatch-Waxman and its Implications for Pharmaceutical Research, IAM Magazine (Feb 2006)

The Human Dimension in IP Valuation, IP Value 2006 (January 2006)

10 Questions for Evaluating a Company’s IP Portfolio, Journal of Corporate Compliance (December 2005)

The American Lawyer “Big Cases” column citing trial win in Purdue v. Endo litigation (Aug 2005)