Nancy C. Morgan
Partner

Intellectual Property Litigation

D: 310.201.7465
F: 310.201.2377

Profile

Nancy Morgan, a Partner in the Firm's Litigation Group, specializes in intellectual property litigation involving copyright, trademark, trade dress, false advertising, right of publicity and trade secret disputes. Her practice includes advising clients on issues pertaining to infringement, copyrightability, licensing, ownership of intellectual property and business contracts. 

Nancy represents clients in state and federal courts and proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. She works with federal, state and local authorities to prevent the importation of counterfeit goods and has a significant appellate practice drafting principal briefs and certiorari petitions to the U.S. Supreme Court.

In addition, Nancy has litigated patent infringement, employment law, unfair competition and general commercial matters. She has represented clients in a variety of industries, including apparel, toy, food, fashion, retail, consumer product, entertainment and technology.

Nancy previously clerked for the Honorable Lynn N. Hughes in the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Texas. She received a bachelor’s degree in English at Barnard College of Columbia University and a juris doctor at the University of Southern California. Prior to becoming an attorney, Nancy was a reporter at People and Sports Illustrated magazines.

Experience

  • Obtained permanent injunction in trademark counterfeiting and copyright action for trademark owner against former distributor
  • Defended international retailer against trade dress claims asserted by Australian boot manufacturer. Manufacturer voluntarily dismissed claims after retailer moved for their dismissal
  • Defended a patent declaratory action against a Canadian toy manufacturer by a competitor. Obtained dismissal of case after moving to dismiss for failure to join a necessary party, lack of personal jurisdiction and lack of case or controversy under the Declaratory Judgment Act.
  • Argued before Federal Circuit Court of Appeals in $3.2 million attorney fee dispute
  • Won summary judgment for an automotive industry executive in an action to enforce a default judgment entered against him in Canada
  • Won arbitration over right to domain name and succeeded in having domain name transferred to claimant
  • Successfully represented marine engine parts designer in action for trade dress, trade secret, false advertising and unfair competition and related tort claims asserted against former supplier
  • Successfully arbitrated claim by semiconductor manufacturer against its former U.K.-based distributor.
  • Defended a copyright and tort action against a toy inventor and manufacturer based in Hong Kong. After defendants filed motions to dismiss, the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed its claims. The judge awarded sanctions for the inventor.
  • Represented a Polish television distributor in arbitration against independent studio for breach of distribution agreement. Case resulted in a favorable settlement for client.
  • Defense of motion picture studio in an action brought by an actor alleging $24 million in damages for breach of contract, misappropriation of his rights of publicity, and various other torts. The case resulted in a favorable settlement for the client.
  • Patent infringement action litigated on behalf of plaintiff semiconductor manufacturer against competitor. Fourteen motions for summary judgment or summary adjudication granted. At trial, the jury found competitor's entire product line infringed client's patents and awarded $6.8 million in damages.

Published Articles & Speaking Engagements

Accolades

  • Listed, "Southern California Rising Stars," Law & Politics, 2008
  • Recipient, "2008 Commitment to Philanthropy Award," Step Up Women's Network

Professional Affiliations