Copyright Law Commercial Litigation Litigation - Intellectual Property Trade Secrets Law Trademark Law
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Triad.
Michael J. "Mike" Allen
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2012 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Mike Allen dedicates his practice to protecting clients’ rights and assets, including their contract rights, intellectual property rights, shareholder rights, and estate rights. His rare blend of experience in negotiating, contracting, counseling, and litigation helps him provide meaningful insight to clients at all stages of their business relationships.
Mike’s goal is to protect client interests without the need for litigation, but with more than 35 years of dispute resolution experience, he is poised to litigate when necessary. He has been recognized among the “Best Lawyers in America” and North Carolina’s “Legal Elite.” He also holds an “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating awarded.
Contract Work and Business CounselingMike has substantial experience in preparing contracts and in counseling regional and national clients in a broad range of business and contractual relationships, including:
- Employment, non-competition, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure agreements.
- License and royalty agreements involving trademarks, copyrights, and other IP rights.
- Independent contractor agreements involving sales representatives, distributors, and other contractors.
- Distribution, vendor, supply, and services agreements.
- Joint development agreements.
Mike represents a range of clients, including publishing and educational companies, creative developers, and other businesses, that seek to protect their intellectual property and capitalize on its economic value. He helps them register, maintain, license, and enforce trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and other rights. He also has successfully litigated intellectual property suits on behalf of his clients.
LitigationMike has substantial experience litigating business, commercial, and contract disputes, including those involving non-competition, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure agreements, intellectual property rights, unfair competition, and unfair trade practices. Mike also works closely with our firm’s estate and trust attorneys to provide advice and representation in estate and trust disputes.
Overview
- University of Notre Dame, J.D. , graduated 1985
- Westminster College (Salt Lake City), BA, graduated 1982
- North Carolina, 1991
- Copyright Author’s Committee of ABA Intellectual Property Section - Past Chair
- American Bar Association - Member
- Greensboro Bar Association - Member
- North Carolina Bar Association - Past Council Member of Intellectual Property Law Section and Litigation Section
- North Carolina Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts - Past President
- Illinois, 1985 (inactive)
- Trial Bar for the Northern District of Illinois (inactive)
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth and Seventh Circuits
- U.S. District Courts for the Middle, Eastern and Western Districts of North Carolina
- U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Central and Southern Districts of Illinois
- U.S. Tax Court
- North Carolina, 1991
- Copyright Author’s Committee of ABA Intellectual Property Section - Past Chair
- American Bar Association - Member
- Greensboro Bar Association - Member
- North Carolina Bar Association - Past Council Member of Intellectual Property Law Section and Litigation Section
- North Carolina Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts - Past President
- University of Notre Dame, J.D. , graduated 1985
- Westminster College (Salt Lake City), BA, graduated 1982
- Illinois, 1985 (inactive)
- Trial Bar for the Northern District of Illinois (inactive)
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth and Seventh Circuits
- U.S. District Courts for the Middle, Eastern and Western Districts of North Carolina
- U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Central and Southern Districts of Illinois
- U.S. Tax Court
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Copyright Law, Triad (2026)
- Copyright Law, Triad (2023)
- Copyright Law, Triad (2021)
- Copyright Law, Greensboro (2019)
- Copyright Law, Greensboro (2017)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Commercial Litigation
- Copyright Law
- Litigation - Intellectual Property
- Trade Secrets Law
- Trademark Law
Awards:
- Best Lawyers in America, 2012-2023
- Best Lawyers in America: Greensboro Copyright Law “Lawyer of the Year,” 2017, 2019
- Best Lawyers in America: Triad Copyright Law “Lawyer of the Year,” 2021, 2023
- Business North Carolina: Legal Elite, 2007-2008, 2012, 2015
- Journal of Legislation: Articles Editor, 1984-1985
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
- Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics and Public Policy: Senior Editor, 1984-1985
- Thomas J. White Scholar
News & Media
Additional Information
Case History
Cases
- Representative Cases
- Successfully defended a suit filed against a client for computer software copyright infringement, fraud, and violation of DMCA anti-circumvention statutes. The plaintiff had sought damages of more than $5 million.
- Successfully defended a suit involving charges of noncompetition, fraud and tortious interference with a contract, where a substantial damages award was sought. After a week-long arbitration hearing, a “no liability” award was entered in favor of our clients.
- Successfully prosecuted hundreds of copyright infringement suits on behalf of music composers, authors and publishers, resulting in judgments and settlements that included enhanced damages and attorneys’ fees.
- Successfully enforced numerous employment restrictive covenants, including non-competition and non-solicitation agreements.
- Successfully litigated/resolved will caveat and other estate disputes.
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