Committee Meetings & Events

Committee Meetings & Networking Event

We have a number of Committee business meetings and networking events throughout the meeting.  We are currently working on the schedule and room locations.  As things are scheduled, we will include in the details below. Information coming soon!

Will Not Meet

• Membership (will conduct their regular monthly virtual connect)

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Tuesday, May 13, 2025  | 7:45 - 8:45 am

• Food & Drug Committee Business Meeting, Marquette I, 2nd Floor
• Legislation Committee (committee members only), Boardroom 3, 3rd Floor
• First-Time Attendee & New Member Orientation, Marquette V, 2nd Floor - if this is your first AIPLA meeting or you are a new member, stop by to meet with other new attendees and hear from AIPLA leaders on tips and tricks for navigating an AIPLA Meeting.  This is a great way to inside insights on how to make the most of your time at AIPLA.

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• AIPPI-US Business Meeting, Marquette VI, 2nd Floor
• APA Task Force (Task Force Members Only), Marquette II, 2nd Floor
• Committee on the Profession: LIVE Speaker Series - Track 2 Room, Salons ABC, 3rd Floor
• Emerging Technologies Committee, Marquette III-IV, 2nd Floor
• IP Practice in Asia Pacific, Marquette VII, 2nd Floor
• IP Practice in China, Marquette IX, 2nd Floor
• IP Practice in Latin America Committee, Marquette I, 2nd Floor
• Mentoring Speed Networking Event, Rochester Room, 3rd Floor
• New Lawyers, Marquette VIII, 2nd Floor
• Patent-Relations with the USPTO, Boardroom 3, 3rd Floor
• Special Committee on Law Student Engagement, Directors Row 2, 3rd Floor

• Leadership at AIPLA - Insights, Marquette V, 2nd Floor - If you are interested in learning how to get involved with AIPLA, in the leadership, or what it's like to be on the board, please stop by this 30 minute session and hear from AIPLA President Kim Van Voorhis, and AIPLA Board Member Melissa Buss on their paths to leadership and tips for getting involved. 

Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | 5:00 - 6:00 pm

• AIPLA Fellows, Marquette I, 2nd Floor
• Biotechnology/Chemical Practice/Food & Drug Committees Joint Networking Reception.  Sponsored by Gill Jennings & Every LLP and Smart & Biggar. Marquette IX, 2nd Floor
• Content & Branding Committees Joint Networking Reception.  Sponsored by LewisRice; Merchant & Gould; and Pirkey Barber - Marquette  VII, 2nd Floor
• International & Foreign Law Committee Business Meeting, Marquette II, 2nd Floor
• Patent Agents/Diversity in IP Law Committees Joint Meeting, Marquette III-IV, 2nd Floor - See details at right
• Patent Law, Marquette VI, 2nd Floor
• Pro Bono Committee Networking Reception.  Sponsored by Spencer Fane - Rochester 3, 3rd Floor - RSVP HERE!

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Concurrent Tracks & Committee Educational Sessions

• 6:45 - 8:45 AM
  Corporate Practice Committee Breakfast Meeting (For Corporate In-House Practitioners Only)  -
  Prosecuting Patents for Litigation: Build Gold Mines, Avoid Land Mines
  Has there ever been a patent case where the litigators didn’t wish that the patent attorneys had done something differently? No! This presentation, led by experienced litigators, will explore real-life cases where prosecution decisions significantly impacted later litigation. Through case studies, we will explore how to create patents that will hold up under pressure, and avoid common pitfalls. The session will provide practical takeaways for in-house counsel to improve collaboration with prosecution and litigation teams, and enhance patent portfolio strength. We plan to seek out your ideas as well, so we can all leave better prepared to serve our companies and clients.
  Speakers:  Cyrus Morton, Partner, Robins Kaplan LLP, and Jessica Gutierrez, Robins Kaplan LLP
  LOCATION: Marquette III-IV - Sponsored by Robins Kaplan LLP
  
  
• 3:15 - 4:30 PM
  Law Student Engagement Committee Special Program
  Pathways to Success: Exploring Careers in IP Law
  Are you a future attorney curious about where a career in intellectual property (IP) could take you? Join us for an interactive event that connects you with seasoned IP professionals to explore a variety of career paths! The program includes roundtable discussions, Breakout Sessions, and Mock Interviews. This is your chance to network, gain insights, and chart your future in IP law. 
  Panelists: Philip Petti: In-house IP attorney at a large corporation
  Prof. Cristal Sheppard: Law school professor specializing in IP law.
  Hon. Becky Thorson: U.S. Magistrate Judge with expertise in IP law.
  Raphael Samost: IP attorney with insights and expertise on entering private IP practice.
  Sylvia Mankarious: HR professional with insights in legal hiring practices.
  LOCATION: Marquette VII, 2nd Floor
  

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Wednesday, May 14

• 6:45 - 8:45 AM
  Women in IP Law Committee Breakfast  -
  Beautiful Brains and the Creative Spark: Neurodiversity, Mental Health and Celebrating Differences in the IP Profession
  Elizabeth Lester is Assistant General Counsel, IP at Equifax, where she is responsible for managing the domestic and international IP portfolio and ensuring that the IP strategy is aligned with business strategies. Prior to Equifax, Elizabeth worked for nearly a decade in private practice focusing on patent preparation and prosecution, portfolio management, and IP issues in business transactions.
  
  Speaker: Elizabeth Lester, Assistant General Counsel, Intellectual Property, Equifax, Atlanta, GA
  Sponsored in part by: Foley Hoag, LLP; Knobbe Martens; Merchant & Gould, PC
  LOCATION: Salon D
  
  
• 5:00 - 6:00 PM
• Patent Agent/Diversity in IP Law Joint Panel - Diversity in the IP Workspace - As a profession working on innovations on a day-to-day basis, we value a diverse workforce as a foundation supporting us in facing the ever-evolving technologies and environment. Join us to celebrate the efforts and achievements that have been made in the diversity of IP workspaces. The panel will discuss values and policies from law firms and corporate perspectives and cover the challenges now and then.
  • Christopher Turoski - Director, Assistant Professor, Patent Law, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
  • Elaine Spector - Partner, Harrity & Harrity, LLP, Fairfax, VA
  • Darnell Cage - Associate, Faegre Drinker, Minneapolis, MN

  Marquette III-IV - 2nd Floor