Mai Lin has nearly two decades of experience in Chinese intellectual property law, including trademark prosecution, portfolio management, anti-counterfeiting and IP enforcement. Fluent in English and Mandarin, she helps U.S. companies navigate the legal, linguistic, and cultural complexities of the Chinese legal system.
Having lived and practiced in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong for over a decade, Mai has advised multinational clients across industries – including fashion and apparel, electronics, software, toys, food and beverage, oil and gas, retail, gaming, hospitality, and entertainment – on protecting and enforcing their IP rights in China. Her practice spans trademark prosecution, enforcement, anti-counterfeiting, registry disputes, and commercial IP transactions. She has helped many companies reclaim trademarks from squatters and develop proactive strategies to safeguard their portfolios.
Prior to joining Womble, Mai was the sole U.S.-based partner at one of China’s leading IP firms, working from Los Angeles as both legal counsel and a strategic liaison for American clients. In this dual role, she provided timely and locally accessible on-the-ground support to U.S. businesses, helping them avoid the delays and miscommunications often encountered when working across time zones and cultures.
Earlier in her career, Mai held senior positions with top international and regional law firms across Greater China, advising on IP, licensing, technology, and cross-border matters. This broad foundation enables her to deliver commercially grounded legal solutions that reflect both global business realities and local regulatory challenges.
Mai regularly speaks on developments in Chinese IP law and is active in several professional organizations, including the International Trademark Association (INTA), the Los Angeles Intellectual Property Law Association (LAIPLA) where she serves on the Board of Directors and as Co-Chair of the Women in IP Committee, and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association.
Professional & Civic Engagement
- International Trademark Association (INTA), Trademark Office Practices Committee
- Los Angeles Intellectual Property Law Association (LAIPLA), Board of Directors & Co-Chair of the Women in IP Committee
- National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA)
Thought Leadership
- Panelist, “Notable Developments in Foreign IP Law,” USC Gould School of Law, Intellectual Property Institute CLE, 2025
- Co-Moderator, “2025 North America Roundtable – Annual Case Law Review,” INTA North America Roundtable, 2025
- Panelist, “US-China Trademark Engagement – What US Brand Owners Need to Know,” Los Angeles Intellectual Property Law Association (LAIPLA) Washington in the West, 2025
- Speaker, “China Case Law Update: Explore the Interplay between Law and Real-life Practice,” INTA China Case Law Update, 2024
- Co-Moderator, “2024 North America Roundtable – Annual Case Law Review,” INTA North America Roundtable, 2024
- Panelist, “International Trademark Prosecution - China, US, Japan and the EU – Key Considerations,” Los Angeles Intellectual Property Law Association (LAIPLA) Washington in the West, 2024
- Moderator and Panel Organizer, “Power Dynamics, Acclimation, and Rules of Engagement When Working Across Borders -- Recognizing and Interrupting Implicit Bias,” NAPABA Annual Convention, 2023
- Panelist, “Global Trademark Protections: Jurisdictional Perspectives,” WIPR Trademarks North America, 2023
- Speaker, “Trade Dress Protection in China: Time to Get Creative,” AIPLA Spring Meeting
- Panelist, “Patent & Trademark Strategies in Asia,” Utah State Bar IP Summit, 2023
Honors & Awards
- Recommended in Legal 500: China for Intellectual Property, 2023-2025
- Listed in the World Trademark Review 1000 for Transactions (2024) and Trademark Prosecution & Strategy, 2025
Languages
- Mandarin (Fluent)
- Cantonese (Conversational)