On March 2, 2023, IIPSJ, co-host Perkins Coie, and several sponsors, hosted the 5th Annual Microsoft Technology Summit to provide a comprehensive “diversity pipeline” experience for law students. During the Technology Summit, law students learned about new opportunities in intellectual property(IP) and technology law and policy practice.

Acting Principal Deputy National Cyber Director of the Office of the National Cyber Director Kemba Eneas Walden delivered the keynote speech to attendees alongside Founder of the HBCU IP & Tech Law Summit Charlie Bingham for a fireside chat. Acting Director Walden recounted her journey to her current role as a Hampton University graduate and addressed issues of cybersecurity that her office plans to handle as a result of President Joe Biden’s newest initiative.

The Summit consists of two key components: a full day of student-focused IP and technology law updates with networking and recognition of student academic and extracurricular achievement in these fields, including the presentation of “micro” scholarship awards paid directly to students. This year, the following were recipients of awards:

  • D&I in Tech Ally Award
    • Cameron Benton, NCCU
  • Tech Law Policy Achievement Award
    • Kayla Mitchell, 3L NCCU
    • Samuel Cadet, HUSL
  • Outstanding Achievement in IP Social Justice Award
    • Daria Fogan, HUSL
    • DeNashia Robinson, HUSL
    • Brianna George, NCCU
  • The IP & Tech Law Summit IP Social Engineer Award
    • Michee Jacobs, HUSL
    • Askhari Little, HUSL
    • Tyrrell Ufot, NCCU
  • The IP & Tech Law Summit IP Achievement Award
    • Leandre’a Scott, NCCU

While the Summit was initially established for Howard Law students, it has since been expanded to include students at four historically black colleges and university law schools. In 2022 a pilot initiative was added to expand the scope of the program to assist students in finding internship opportunities in IP practice, and to provide internship stipends where the internships secured are uncompensated.

Some of the subjects covered during the event included data privacy, cryptocurrency, and blockchain and were presented by experts in the intellectual property field including executives from Uber, Perkins Cole, and Reed Smith hosting sessions such as:

  • The Impact of Innovative Technologies on Society and the Practice of Law
  • The Impact of Cryptocurrency and Blockchain on Society and the Practice of Law
  • Paying it Forward: A Day in the Life of a Tech Lawyer

Find the full list of videos here.

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