The attorney, Martin D. Singer, argued that the case should be dismissed because it had passed the statute of limitations, the legal time limit for litigation.
The company reportedly says it doesn't comment on litigation.
Lincoln Center said it does not comment on litigation matters.
(Mr. Walcott said the department did not comment on litigation).
"They appear reliant on litigation," he said.
Republicans deplore the focus on litigation.
A Lorillard spokesman said it was not company practice to comment on litigation or potential litigation.
In 2012, New York City spent over $500 million on litigation — compare that with Chicago's litigation costs of roughly $65 million in the same year.
Another Reed Smith partner, Jordan Siev, a co-leader of the firm's United States commercial litigation group, is the team's point person on litigation preparation.
Aereo does not comment on litigation.
Existing literature on litigation and petitions share a common view Chinese people prefer to use petitions in resolving their disputes.
