Diversifying IP Practice
Diversifying IP Practice
Increasing positive professional outcomes for aspiring and early career IP attorneys and professionals of color rooted in values of diversity, equity, and inclusion
IIPSJ’s inclusive professional education programs and initiatives seek to build bridges for underrepresented groups in the intellectual property law space through our annual HBCU Tech Law Summit, Annual IP & Social Justice CLE seminar, virtual and in-person mentorship with attorneys of color, internships, and more.
Latest in Diversifying IP Practice
HBCU Tech Law Summit
The HBCU Tech Law Summit aims to educate minority legal professionals on the issues and opportunities in the tech industry in an effort to help infuse the legal workforce with a diverse pipeline to ensure fair, transparent and accountable development of AI as a service and other new technologies that empower everyone.
IP and Social Justice CLE Seminar
The IP and Social Justice CLE program provides annual updates in IP law, a panel of sitting federal judges, and discussions of IP, diversity, and social justice concerns. Each year we are privileged to work with some of the nation’s leading IP judges, attorneys, and scholars in our CLE program. CLE credit has been made available for participating students in the following jurisdictions: CA, VA, OH, NY and more.
IP Attorneys of Color Mentoring series
The Interviews with Attorneys of Color event series puts a spotlight on industry experts from diverse backgrounds to share their experiences in the industry and how they made the best of their career path successes.
Fellowships, Internships & Career Opportunities
IIPSJ is always looking to give opportunities to early career professionals getting started in the intellectual property law domain. Our new Wikimedia Fellowship is an initiative for research-focused students and fellowships are offered on an annual basis.
Internships are also offered on a rolling basis. Check back here for open positions.
Tech Law Summit & Annual CLE 2023
5th Annual HBCU Tech Law Summit
&
20th Annual IP and Social Justice CLE Seminar
About the Summit
The HBCU Tech Law Summit aims to educate minority legal professionals on the issues and opportunities in the tech industry in an effort to help infuse the legal workforce with a diverse pipeline to ensure fair, transparent and accountable development of AI as a service and other new technologies that empower everyone.
About the CLE
The IP and Social Justice CLE program provides annual updates in IP law, a panel of sitting federal judges, and discussions of IP, diversity, and social justice concerns. Each year we are privileged to work with some of the nation’s leading IP judges, attorneys, and scholars in our CLE program. For this year’s program, we intend to apply for CLE credit that can be used in the following jurisdictions: CA, VA, OH, and NY. Additional states may be added.
Attendance is free for all. Fees below are for those also seeking CLE credit.
$250 – General Public
$100 – HBCU Alumni
$ 50 – Government Attorneys
Free – Non-profit, academics, & need-based requests
Thank you to all our sponsors, speakers, and attendees for their support of the 2023 conference! Check out the following post-event wrap up blogs:
Program Agenda
All times are listed in Eastern Time (ET).
9:00 am – 9:05 am
Introduction and Welcome
Charlie Bingham, Founder of Tech Law Summit and Senior Legal Counsel – Splunk; Howard University School of Law, Class of 2008
9:05 am – 10:05 am
The Impact of Innovative Technologies on Society and the Practice of Law (Chat GPT, NFTs, AI, Metaverse, etc.)
Moderator: Rizwan A. Qureshi, Hiring Partner – Reed Smith; Howard University School of Law, Class of 2007
Charnay Augustin, Senior Counsel, Marketplace – Uber; Howard University School of Law, Class of 2011
Julien Bowers, Senior Counsel – Perkins Coie, Georgetown University Law Center, Class of 2010
Alex Butterworth, Senior Counsel, Delivery – Uber; Western Australia College of Law, Class of 2010
Stanton Burke, Associate Attorney – Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP; Howard University School of Law, Class of 2017
10:05 am – 11:05 am
The Impact of Data Privacy & Security on Society and the Practice of Law
Moderator: Natalie Roisman, Executive Director – Georgetown Law Institute for Technology Law & Policy; University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
Adonne Washington, Policy Counsel – Future of Privacy Forum; Howard University School of Law, Class of 2020
Loyaan A. Egal, Chief of Enforcement – Federal Communications Commission; Howard University School of Law, Class of 2002
Anup Suresh, Principal, Registered Patent Attorney, & Data Security Officer – Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.; Loyola Law School, Class of 2007
11:05 am – 11:15 am
Break
11:15 am – 12:15 pm
Keynote Fireside Chat with Kemba Eneas Walden
Moderator: Charlie Bingham, Founder of HBCU IP & Tech Law Summit and Senior Legal Counsel of Partners & Strategic Alliances – Splunk; Howard University School of Law, Class of 2008
Kemba Eneas Walden, Principal Deputy National Cyber Director – Office of the National Cyber Director; Georgetown University Law Center, Class of 2002
12:15 pm – 12:45 pm
Lunchtime Awards Ceremony
12:45 pm – 1:00 pm
Break
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
The Impact of Cryptocurrency and Blockchain on Society and the Practice of Law
Moderator: Edward Fultz, Mid-Level Associate – Reed Smith, Howard University School of Law, Class of 2020
Tiffany J. Smith, Partner – WilmerHale; The George Washington University Law School, Class of 2008
Valerie Dahiya, Partner – Perkins Coie, Seattle University School of Law, Class of 2005
Alexis Liistro, Patent Attorney – Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.; New England Law, Class of 2009
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
The Impact of IP & Diversity in the Legal Profession on Society and the Practice of Law
Moderator: Aneesh Mehta, Head of Product Legal – Microsoft India; Rutgers Law School
Ricardo Bonilla, Principal – Fish & Richardson; Texas Tech University School of Law, Class of 2012
Dr. Anita Lam, Sr. Corporate Counsel – Microsoft; The George Washington University Law School
Sean Suber, Partner – Winston & Strawn LLP; University of Virginia School of Law, Class of 2014
Nyajuok Deng, Attorney – Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.; Howard University School of Law, Class of 2018
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Paying it Forward: A Day in the Life of a Tech Lawyer
Moderator: Natasha Walwyn Robinson – Splunk; Suffolk University Law School, Class of 2008
Charlie Bingham, Founder of Tech Law Summit and Senior Legal Counsel – Splunk; Howard University School of Law 2008
Michele G. Cober, Director – External Affairs – Verizon; Howard University School of Law 2008
Daphne Forbes, Assistant General Counsel – Microsoft; American University Washington School of Law
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
8:45 am – 9:00 am
Introduction and Welcome
Lateef Mtima, Founder – IIPSJ; Professor of Law – Howard University School of Law
Tashia Bunch, Program Director – IIPSJ; TTAB Interlocutory Attorney – USPTO; Howard University School of Law, Class of 2006
Esther H. Lim, Patent Chair of IIPSJ Annual Conference; Partner & Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer – Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP
9:00 am – 10:30 am
IP Law Year in Review
Thomas L. Irving, Partner – Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP
Douglas A. Rettew, Partner – Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP
Ian C. Ballon, Shareholder – Greenberg Traurig, LLP
10:30 am – 10:40 am
Break
10:40 am – 11:50 am
Donald R. Dunner Judicial Panel [non-CLE]
Moderator: L. Scott Burwell, Partner – Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP
Honorable Leonard P. Stark, Judge – United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Honorable Scott R. Boalick, Chief Administrative Patent Judge – Patent Trial and Appeal Board, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Honorable Bryan F. Moore, Administrative Law Judge – United States International Trade Commission
Honorable Susan G. Braden, Former Chief Judge (ret.) – United States Court of Federal Claims
11:50 am – 12:50 pm
Social Justice Luncheon
12:20 – 1:05 pm Highlights from the Innovator Diversity Pilots Conference
Margo A. Bagley, Associate Dean for Research and Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Law – Emory University School of Law
Colleen Chien, Professor of Law – Santa Clara University School of Law
Lateef Mtima, Founder – IIPSJ; Professor of Law – Howard University School of Law
1:05 – 1:50 pm Unleashing American Innovation Act
Moderator: Lateef Mtima, Founder – IIPSJ; Professor of Law – Howard University School of Law
Scott Wilson, Director, Government Affairs – Spotify
Bradley Watts, Vice President for Patents and Innovation Policy – U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Innovation Policy Center
1:50 pm – 2:00 pm
Break
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Dual Track Sessions
Session A: Leading with IP and Adding Value to Corporations
Moderator: Daryl Lim, H. Laddie Montague Jr. Chair in Law – Penn State Dickinson Law
Andrew Cooper, Associate General Counsel – Meta
Claire W. Desmond, Senior Counsel, IP & Advertising – Under Armour
Izu Emeagwali, Executive Director and Assistant General Counsel – J.P. Morgan; Howard University School of Law Class of 2010
Yen Florczak, Chief Intellectual Property Counsel – 3M Company (invited)
Ankur Shah, Associate General Counsel for Intellectual Property – Freddie Mac
Session B: How Fair Is Fair Use? A Discussion About Andy Warhol Foundation v. Goldsmith
Moderator: Sachi Schuricht, Managing Associate – Orrick
Sandra Aistars, Clinical Professor of Law, and Founding Director of the Arts & Entertainment Advocacy Clinic at George Mason University Law School
Mel Bostwick, Partner – Orrick
Lateef Mtima, Founder – IIPSJ; Professor of Law – Howard University School of Law
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Dual Track Sessions
Session A: In House Counsel Discussion on Trade Secret Law
Michael Forzano, Chief IP Counsel Pall – Pall Corporation
Ulysses Williams III, Intellectual Property Counsel – Pall Corporation; Howard University School of Law, Class of 2016
Anthony P. Curtis, Registered Patent Attorney – Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner
Session B: Updates on College Athletes NIL & Celebrities Right of Publicity
Jonathan Goins, Principal – Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP; Howard University School of Law, Class of 2002
Ron Katz, Author, Sport, Ethics and Leadership (Routledge, 2017)
4:00 pm – 4:15 pm
Break
4:15 pm – 5:15 pm
Ethics Session
Aisha Cassis, Deputy Executive Attorney – D.C. Board on Professional Responsibility; Howard University School of Law, Class of 2005
William Thomashower, Counsel – Pryor Cashman LLP
Thank you to our event sponsors!
IIPSJ Institutional Partners
Last Year’s Conference Videos Available
Videos from prior programs are available on our YouTube channel.
