2025 Trade Secret Summit
March 27 to 28, 2025
Location
Nashville, Tennessee
Registration
The AIPLA Trade Secret Summit is the leading trade secret conference in the nation, with speakers from across the spectrum of private practitioners, in-house counsel, government, and academia, as well as fantastic networking opportunities. CLE credits will be available.
Registration Rates
AIPLA Student/Academic/Judicial Member Rate: $55
AIPLA In-House (special form required)/Junior/Government/IP Paralegal-Tech Advisor Member Rate: $199
AIPLA Solo/Small Firm Member Rate: $395
AIPLA Regular and other Member Rate: $495
Non-Member Rate: $895
Download Agenda
Agenda
Thursday, March 27
8:00 - 8:45 AM: Breakfast
8:45 - 9:00 AM: Welcome - Michael Weil, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP; Rachel Steely, Foley & Lardner LLP
9:00 - 10:00 AM: Hot Topics in Southeastern and Tennessee Trades Secret and Noncompete Cases - Tim Rybacki, Littler Mendelson P.C.; Brandon Bundren, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP; Thor Urness, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
10:00 - 10:45 AM: Industry Panel Part I - Trade Secret Issues Affecting Software - Mark Klapow, Crowell & Moring LLP (moderator); Derron Blakely, General Counsel, Onebrief; Barbara N. Barath, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP; Warrington Parker, Crowell & Moring LLP
10:45 - 11:00 AM: Break
11:00 - 11:30 AM: Industry Panel Part II- Trade Secret Issues Affecting Biotech, Healthcare, and Retail - Michael Weil, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP; Erik Weibust, Epstein Becker & Green, P.C.; Neal F. Weinrich, Berman Fink Van Horn P.C.
Wendy Wu, Nardello & Co. LLC; Greg Kelley, ArcherHall
12:30 - 1:30 PM: Lunch Presentation – “A Study of Jurors’ Attitudes Toward Theft of Trade Secrets Cases” - Dr. Chad Lackey, DOAR Research Center
1:30 - 2:30 PM: Trade Secret Acquisition v Use When Seeking Expedited Relief - Aliki Sofis, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP; Kimberley Carson, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP; Rachel Steely, Foley & Lardner LLP; Mindy Morton, Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP
3:30 - 3:45 PM: Break
3:45 - 4:45 PM: Litigating Trade Secrets Cases in the Federal Circuit - Mary Prendergast, Morrison Foerster, LLP; Jessica Mason, Foley & Lardner LLP; Jordan D. Grotzinger, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
6:00 - 8:00 PM: Networking Reception - Category 10 - 120 2nd Avenue North, South Mezzanine Level, Nashville, TN 37201
Friday, March 28
8:30 - 9:00 AM: Breakfast
9:00 - 10:00 AM: Ethics in Trade Secret Litigation - John Barry, Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP; Chad Hatmaker, Woolf, McClane, Bright, Allen & Carpenter, PLLC; Miguel Lopez, Littler Mendelson P.C.; Michael Elkon, Fisher & Phillips LLP
11:00 - 11:15 AM: Break
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM: AI and Trade Secrets - How the line is drawn - Dean Pelletier, Pelletier Law, LLC; Lily Hines, Covington & Burling LLP; Matt D’Amore, Cornell Law School; Derron Blakely, Onebrief; Kristopher Boushie, National Economic Research Associates, Inc; Vivek Ganti, Applied Materials; Amy Candido, Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett, LLP
12:15 - 12:30 PM: Closing
Thank you to our sponsors!

Hotel Details
Renaissance Nashville Hotel
611 Commerce Street
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 255-8400
RESERVATION: https://book.passkey.com/e/50959776
RATE: $279 per night plus applicable fees and taxes (currently 16.25% plus a $2.50 city fee)
Daily Parking: overnight and valet - $65
Reservation cut off date: March 6, 2025
Required communication: Damage to Renaissance Nashville Hotel: Should damage occur to guest rooms and/or its' contents, or additional cleaning above usual and customary be required to restore guest rooms to original condition, individual attendee(s) occupying the guest room shall be responsible for payment of any damage or special cleaning charges. These charges shall be posted to the individual attendees' credit card or the Group's Master Account if credit card is not on record. Damage charges due to Renaissance Nashville Hotel shall be determined by Renaissance Nashville Hotel Manager on Duty.
News
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AIPLA Comments on the UK IPO’s Standards Essential Patents Consultation
October 9, 2025
Arlington, VA. October 7, 2025 – The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) submitted comments to the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO) regarding its Standards Essential Patents (SEP) Consultation published in July 2025. AIPLA expressed support for the UK IPO’s goal of improving predictability and efficiency in SEP licensing but emphasized the need for a balanced approach that protects both SEP holders and implementers. -
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On September 18, 2025, the U.S. Senate confirmed John A. Squires as Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. -
AIPLA Files Amicus Brief in Cox Communications, Inc. v Sony Music Entertainment
September 10, 2025
Arlington, VA. September 5, 2025 – The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) AIPLA filed an amicus brief in support of neither party in Cox Communications, Inc. v Sony Music Entertainment, Supreme Court Case No. 24-171. -
AIPLA Comments on the OECD's Working Party on Countering Illicit Trade (WP-CIT) Draft Voluntary Guidelines
August 27, 2025
Arlington, VA. August 25, 2025 – The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) submitted comments to the USPTO on the OECD’s Draft Voluntary Guidelines for Countering Illicit Trade in Counterfeit Goods on Online Marketplaces, highlighting best practices for governments, online marketplace operators, and rights holders. -
Letter of Support - S. 2677 / H.R. 4930 - Customs Info Sharing Authority
August 13, 2025
Arlington, VA. August 13, 2025-The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) submitted a joint letter with a coalition of organizations representing thousands of American businesses, including many leading global brands, to Senators Grassley, Hassan, and Representatives Moore, and Schneider expressing strong support for S. 2677 / H.R. 4930. The letter highlights the growing threat of counterfeit and pirated goods entering U.S. borders, urges enhanced cooperation between public and private sectors, and commends the legislation for clarifying U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s authority to share information and expand collaboration with key stakeholders to improve intellectual property enforcement.