The IP Strategy Summit: NYC
In the heart of New York—a global hub for commerce, media, and innovation—intellectual property leaders face a dynamic and high-stakes landscape. From AI-generated content and global brand enforcement to billion-dollar patent disputes and trade secret threats, the challenges of protecting and monetizing IP assets have never been greater. For today’s in-house counsel and legal strategists, success demands more than legal expertise—it requires adaptive, business-aligned strategies that anticipate disruption.
The IP Strategy Summit: New York brings together senior in-house counsel, trailblazing IP professionals, and industry experts for a deep dive into the evolving legal and operational frameworks shaping intellectual property in 2025. With two concurrent tracks—one focused on Patents and the other on Trademark & Copyright—you’ll have the flexibility to customize your experience and explore the topics that matter most to your role and organization.
This is where high-level strategy meets real-world execution. Dive into discussions on building resilient patent portfolios, navigating trade secret risks, maximizing brand value through licensing and collaborations, and addressing the IP challenges posed by generative AI. Learn how leading organizations are approaching valuation, enforcement, and litigation funding to strengthen their IP posture and drive business growth.
Designed for IP professionals navigating the intersection of law, technology, and enterprise value.
*CLE Pending Approval NY
- Prosecution & Portfolio Management: Building Resilient IP Strategies
- Patent Management in the Age of AI
- Trade Secrets: Hope is Not a Strategy
- Defensive Litigation in a High-Stakes Environment: Lessons from Recent Cases
- Valuation, Monetization & Funded Litigation: What In-House Counsel Need to Know
- Strategic Patent Enforcement for Operating Companies
- Global Brand Protection & Enforcement
- AI and Generative Content: Who Owns What?
- Copyright Challenges in the Digital Economy
- Parody, Free Speech & Trademark Enforcement
- Licensing, Collaborations & IP Monetization: Maximizing Brand Value
- Brand Value & IP Strategy in M&A, Spinouts, and Brand Expansions
- Chief IP Counsel
- Chief Legal Officer
- VP & Director of IP Strategy
- Chief, Deputy, Associate and/or Assistant General Counsel
- General Counsel
- Intellectual Property, Trademark, and Copyright Counsel
- Head of Litigation
- Director of Business and Legal Affairs
- Director/VP of Intellectual Property
- Director/VP of Licensing
- IP Counsel
- Patent Counsel
- Corporate Counsel
Agenda
Two Tracks. One Comprehensive Experience.
With two streams of content running concurrently, you may design a schedule that aligns with your goals. Focus on a single discipline or diversify your perspective by attending sessions across both the Patents and Trademarks & Copyright tracks.
One-to-One Meetings begin. If interested in participating, email info@centerforceusa.com
Puja Detjen is a partner at Patterson + Sheridan LLP who serves on the firm’s management committee. Her practice focuses on patent preparation and prosecution of both domestic and international patents, global brand protection, and IP due diligence.
Puja is able to parlay her knowledge of clients’ technology and business into a comprehensive IP strategy focused on developing and protecting their innovations and brands.
Prior to her legal career, Puja was an engineer for GE Energy supporting corporate strategy objectives across manufacturing, operations, and supply chain management. Today, she leverages her diverse industry experience to lead the way for clients seeking to align their IP efforts with a strategic plan.
As innovation cycles accelerate and geopolitical and regulatory pressures mount, in-house IP teams must evolve their prosecution and portfolio management practices to build resilience. It’s no longer about filing volume—it’s about aligning filings with business priorities, anticipating litigation risks, and ensuring your portfolio remains a strategic asset in an uncertain environment. This panel explores how leading organizations are leveraging data analytics, global insights, and proactive portfolio pruning to drive value and mitigate vulnerabilities. Gain actionable strategies to strengthen your IP posture while optimizing resources for long-term success.
This Panel will Explore:
- Developing prosecution strategies that reflect corporate and innovation goals
- Streamlining global portfolio management for efficiency and impact
- Using analytics to identify strengths, gaps, and cost-saving opportunities
- Preparing portfolios to support enforcement, licensing, and M&A objectives
Lance Hochhauser is Senior Intellectual Property Counsel at Prove Identity, Inc., overseeing all facets of Prove’s intellectual property. He is also managing Prove’s AI policy and has stood up a model risk management program to standardize responses Prove provides to clients.
Prior to his time at Prove, Lance was Associate General Counsel at SWIM USA; Intellectual Property Counsel at IQVIA; and Patent Attorney – Team Lead at IBM.
Lance earned his J.D. from Emory University School of Law and his bachelor degree in chemical engineering from Vanderbilt University. Lance is admitted to practice law in New York and is also admitted to practice before the USPTO.
Puja Detjen is a partner at Patterson + Sheridan LLP who serves on the firm’s management committee. Her practice focuses on patent preparation and prosecution of both domestic and international patents, global brand protection, and IP due diligence.
Puja is able to parlay her knowledge of clients’ technology and business into a comprehensive IP strategy focused on developing and protecting their innovations and brands.
Prior to her legal career, Puja was an engineer for GE Energy supporting corporate strategy objectives across manufacturing, operations, and supply chain management. Today, she leverages her diverse industry experience to lead the way for clients seeking to align their IP efforts with a strategic plan.
Ajay A. Jagtiani possesses 27 years of experience in all phases of patent prosecution, including patentability, validity and infringement opinions, procurement of international patents, client counseling, licensing, agreement negotiations, and mergers/acquisitions.
Ajay supports numerous clients in biotechnology, including diagnostics, genomics, immunotherapy, proteomics, pharmaceuticals and other microbiology techniques. He has extensive experience in the academic world, providing assistance in intellectual property matters and technology transfer to educational institutions around the globe.
In the state arena, he has advised the Secretary of Technology for the Commonwealth of Virginia regarding intellectual property matters, and he has drafted proposed intellectual property legislation.
At the federal level, Ajay has advised such government agencies and laboratories as the Department of Energy, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Mines, Naval Medical Research and Development Command, Naval Command and Control Center, NASA, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratory, and the Naval Research Laboratory.
With global commerce shifting online at record speed, brand abuse has become a cross-border battleground. Counterfeiters and infringers now exploit e-commerce platforms and weak enforcement regimes, requiring nimble global responses. This session dissects modern tactics—from AI-driven monitoring to cross-jurisdiction takedowns—and explores how recent international agreements are affecting enforcement strategies. Learn how innovative brands are leveraging tech, partnerships, and data to stay ahead in the global IP enforcement game.
This Panel will Explore:
- Emerging e-commerce enforcement tactics using AI-powered monitoring
- Key developments in international trademark treaties and enforcement frameworks
- Strategies for tackling infringement in high-risk jurisdictions
- Building scalable, global brand protection programs
Sophie Abae is Senior Counsel for Flock Safety, a technology company focused on solving and eliminating crime through its suite of unique software, products, and wide network of customers. In her role, she manages the company’s expanding intellectual property portfolio, including patents, trademarks, and trade secrets, and is a senior member of the commercial revenue legal team. Sophie is proud to have had the privilege of entering into tech early in her career, giving her a fresh perspective on what it means to be a legal partner to a growing business. A South Florida native and a graduate of Boston College undergrad and law school, Sophie is thrilled to now call New York City her home.
Michelle has built an impressive track-record practicing in trademark, copyright, patent, unfair competition/false advertising, anti-counterfeiting/anti-piracy, internet, and fashion and wearable technology law.
Michelle’s clients span a broad range of industries including fashion and retail, food and beverage, computer software and hardware, educational services, financial and consulting services, pharmaceutical, and media and entertainment. Michelle is distinguished not only by the victories she has achieved for her clients but also for the wider influence and interest her cases have generated. She represents clients in state and federal courts, at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and before the International Trade Commission. She has also successfully obtained preliminary injunctions and ex parte seizure orders on behalf of her clients, and works closely with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and law enforcement in coordinated anti-counterfeiting efforts. She has argued and won numerous federal and state court appeals, including the Second Circuit’s seminal famous marks case of ITC Ltd v. Punchgini, Inc. Michelle has also successfully represented numerous companies in connection with design patent disputes in industries ranging from consumer products to industrial products.
Complementing her litigation work, Michelle’s practice also includes counseling and opinions, trademark and trade dress prosecution, devising cost-effective brand protection programs, negotiating licenses, IP acquisitions, and cobranding agreements on behalf of clients, and counseling clients on the use of social media and other online platforms to market and sell their goods and services.
AI technologies are not only transforming innovation but also challenging the very foundations of patent law. From questions of inventorship under DABUS-style cases to enforcement complexities where AI-generated inventions blur lines, in-house counsel must navigate untested legal and ethical terrain. This session dives into managing AI-related IP risks, adapting patent strategy for AI-heavy portfolios, and anticipating changes in global regulations. Gain clarity on protecting AI innovations while preparing for potential litigation and legislative shifts.
This Panel will Explore:
- Legal implications of AI inventorship and ownership disputes
- Strategies for drafting robust AI-related patents amid shifting standards
- Global trends in AI patentability and enforcement challenges
- Best practices for mitigating risks in AI-heavy R&D pipelines
Daniel S. Block is a director in Sterne Kessler’s Electronics Practice Group. Dan’s practice primarily focuses on patent and anti-counterfeiting litigation at the International Trade Commission and in Federal district court. Dan has been integral in designing and implementing anti-counterfeiting measures for numerous international brands, with a focus on cost-neutral enforcement strategies. He has also served as counsel in over 110 post-grant proceedings at the USPTO’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board. His technical expertise covers many areas of computing including: computer graphics, networking communications, web services, complex computer architectures, and storage systems.
Dan’s brand enforcement work includes obtaining judgments against hundreds of defendants selling counterfeit products of major consumer brands. He has obtained judgments totaling over 50 million dollars, and seized or stopped the sales of tens of thousands of counterfeit items over the Internet. Dan has served as an advisor to associates participating in the PTAB’s Legal Experience and Advancement Program (LEAP), which provides associates with training and development opportunities in PTAB proceedings, including oral argument.
Generative AI is rewriting the rules of copyright—and ownership is front and center. From the recent Thaler v. Perlmutter ruling, which confirmed that AI tools cannot be considered authors, to class action certification in the Anthropic training-materials case, the landscape is shifting fast. This session explores emerging legislation like the U.S. Generative AI Copyright Disclosure Act, and what it means for creators, brands, and legal teams managing AI-generated IP. Walk away with practical guidance on ownership, protection, and licensing in an AI-driven world.
This Panel will Explore:
- Implications of Thaler on AI-generated work registration
- The Anthropic class action: training data transparency and creator rights
- Emerging disclosure and licensing regulations for AI content in the U.S. and EU
- In-house strategies to protect and capitalize on AI-generated assets
If interested in participating, email info@centerforceusa.com
Trade secret protection has become a critical pillar of IP strategy as companies face rising threats from employee mobility, digital collaboration, and increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. Recent high-profile misappropriation cases and legislative changes like the EU’s new Trade Secrets Directive and U.S. DTSA updates underscore the need for proactive, cross-functional programs to safeguard sensitive information. This panel will explore how in-house teams can move beyond passive policies to implement robust trade secret identification, management, and enforcement strategies that hold up under litigation. Learn how leading companies are embedding trade secret protection into their corporate culture, contracts, and vendor relationships to stay ahead of theft and inadvertent leaks.
This Panel will Explore:
- Building a defensible trade secret program: identification, classification, and protection
- Legal and operational tools to minimize risk during employee departures and vendor engagements
- Preparing for trade secret litigation: evidence preservation and early action strategies
- Global trends shaping trade secret enforcement in the U.S., EU, and Asia
Jason Sobel is a partner in the Firm’s Intellectual Property Litigation, Trademark, Copyright & Advertising, and Technology Practice Groups. His practice spans a wide range of areas of intellectual property law, including litigation, transactions, prosecution, and other strategic matters. Jason provides intellectual property and litigation counsel to clients in numerous industries and technological disciplines, including software and internet companies; manufacturing of mechanical and electrical devices and materials; financial services; chemicals; food products and ingredients; medical devices; life sciences; semi-conductors; and consumer products.
Ms. Ksenia Takhistova is an experienced IP litigator and technology attorney who counsels clients on US intellectual property law issues across a wide variety of modern and emerging technologies. She has substantial experience in all aspects of litigation, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in patent cases, including Hatch-Waxman litigations, before the Federal District Courts, at the International Trade Commission, in post-grant proceedings at the US Patent and Trademark Office, and in appeals from these proceedings.
She has also handled other IP-related disputes, including trade secret, false advertising, and antitrust issues, in both Federal and State Courts. Ksenia represents clients in transactions, such as settlement negotiations and IP licensing discussions, and performs due diligence and opinion work, including freedom-to-operate, patentability, infringement and validity analyses. Drawing on her extensive educational and research background in the mechanical and chemical engineering arts, she is able to effectively handle disputes in technical fields, such as mechanical and medical devices, electrical and computer technology, life sciences, chemical, materials, and consumer products.
Dania Nasser is the Senior Associate General Counsel at Canon Business Process Services. Prior to working in this role she was the Business Operations and Compliance Counsel at Ralph Lauren. Dania acquired her law degree from Yale University.
The digital economy continues to stretch copyright enforcement in unexpected ways—from NFTs and streaming to user-generated content platforms. Recent cases like Thomson Reuters v. Ross Intelligence highlight judicial scrutiny of AI training data in hotly litigated areas. Meanwhile, the U.S. Copyright Office’s 2025 AI report is shaping policy and fair use standards. This session provides a deeper understanding of digital copyright’s evolving frontiers and empowers in-house teams to future-proof enforcement strategies.
This Panel will Explore:
- Judicial trends in AI-related copyright lawsuits post-Ross Intelligence
- Policy guidance from the U.S. Copyright Office’s AI study
- Enforcement tactics for digital-first platforms and emerging media models
- Navigating fair use and transformative content disputes in the digital era
Nancy Del Pizzo is a member of Rivkin Radler’s Commercial Litigation; Intellectual Property; and Privacy, Data & Cyber Law Practice Groups. She resolves commercial disputes, including intellectual property matters such as trademark, trade dress, copyright and patent infringement, restrictive covenants and domain name disputes, misappropriation of trade secrets and unfair competition, false advertising, defamation and trade libel.
High-stakes defensive IP litigation requires proactive strategies to mitigate risk and protect brand integrity. Drawing from recent landmark cases—such as PTAB decisions using “settled expectations” to deny late-filed petitions and key trade secret losses—this session reveals how companies are reshaping defense playbooks amid procedural shifts. Hear how data-driven litigation analytics (e.g., Lex Machina) inform forum selection, motion timing, and strategic settlements. We’ll dissect practical approaches to anticipate threats, manage disclosure risks, and turn liability exposure into leverage for favorable outcomes.
This Panel will Explore:
- Leveraging litigation analytics for venue strategy and defense prep
- Lessons learned from new PTAB discretionary denial criteria
- Defensive tactics in trade secret disputes post-misappropriation
- Strategies for converting defensive posture into settlement leverage
Ben is a registered patent attorney and focuses on complex litigation and technology counseling.
Ben’s litigation experience includes managing complex civil litigation cases of all types, including post grant IP matters, patent, unfair competition, trademark and trade dress, copyright, property disputes, and breach of contract cases. He also has experience in cases involving preliminary injunctive relief.
His technology practice involves litigation and also counseling small and large companies on all types issues impacting their companies, including guiding IP prosecution efforts. He has counseled individuals and companies in services industries, manufacturing, telecommunications, software, food and consumables, petroleum refining, internet and media, and transportation.
Ben also maintains an active pro bono practice. His pro bono work includes counseling and litigation for veterans denied disability benefits, prisoners, home associations, housing disputes, and is part of the pro bono counsel for the Rare Genomics Institute.
Jennifer is an experienced litigator. As a partner at Delaware law firm Morris Nichols, she focuses on patent, trademark, trade secrets, and other complex intellectual property disputes in federal and state court. Her experience encompasses all aspects of litigation from outset to trial and through appeal in both lead counsel and co-counsel roles.
An MIT graduate with degrees in electrical engineering & computer science and management, she frequently draws on her technical background in her patent litigation work.
Parody remains a flashpoint between First Amendment freedoms and brand protection. The Supreme Court’s decision in Jack Daniel’s v. VIP Products reaffirmed that parody does not grant an automatic pass—it still triggers confusion analysis. Across the IP community, creative businesses and legal teams are rethinking enforcement strategies in light of mixed signals from courts. This session tackles the big questions: how can brands defend their trademarks without stifling expression?
This Panel will Explore:
- Defining the parody line: balancing creativity with brand clarity
- Assessing reputational and free-speech risks in trademark enforcement
- Global approaches to trademark parody and dilution law
If interested in participating, email info@centerforceusa.com
Erik Milch is a partner in the Litigation Department, co-head of the Patent Law practice and a member of the Intellectual Property and Trials group.
As a first-chair trial lawyer, Erik brings more than 25 years of experience litigating in key jurisdictions across the U.S., as well as before the International Trade Commission and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Erik litigates complex matters involving medical devices, life sciences instrumentation, pharmaceuticals, electrical and computer technology, and consumer products. He regularly counsels clients in a range of industries in connection with patent procurement, development of patent portfolios, patent licensing, valuation of patent portfolios in business transactions and transactional diligence.
Joe Drayton is a partner in the Litigation Department, co-head of the Patent law practice and a member of the Intellectual Property and Trials groups.
Joe is a first-chair trial lawyer with over two decades of experience representing some of the nation’s most prominent companies in high-stakes intellectual property (IP) and complex commercial litigation. He has successfully handled matters across a broad range of industries before state and federal courts, the International Trade Commission and arbitration tribunals including the American Arbitration Association. Joe’s practice spans all areas of IP law—patent, trade secrets, copyright, trademark, trade dress and false advertising—both domestically and internationally. He also advises clients on IP acquisition, transfer, protection and enforcement strategies.
For in-house legal teams, intellectual property is no longer just a defensive shield—it’s a dynamic asset that can drive revenue, secure strategic partnerships, and support high-stakes enforcement. Successfully leveraging your IP portfolio requires a deep understanding of valuation methodologies, monetization opportunities, and the expectations of litigation funders. This session provides a comprehensive roadmap for in-house counsel to unlock the full potential of their IP, navigate the due diligence process, and structure agreements that align with corporate priorities while mitigating risks.
This Panel will Explore:
- Practical approaches to valuing patents, trade secrets, and emerging technologies
- Strategies for monetizing IP through licensing, sales, and strategic partnerships
- What litigation funders evaluate and how to prepare your case for approval
- Building agreements and funder relationships that preserve control and align with business goals
Brands increasingly rely on collaborations, co-branding, and licensing to scale—but the stakes are high. The AI-driven content boom expands both opportunity and risk, with unclear authorship and monetization rules. This panel uncovers how in-house IP teams are crafting deals that maximize reach and protect brand assets. Gain insights on structuring agreements in the age of creative collaboration, digital-first licensing, and brand expansion.
This Panel will Explore:
- Licensing models for AI-generated and collaboratively created assets
- Protecting IP during co-branding and strategic partnerships
- Monetization opportunities in digital content, NFTs, and influencer campaigns
- Contractual safeguards in global licensing and distribution deals
For operating companies, enforcing patents is more than protecting innovation—it’s about advancing business objectives while managing legal, financial, and reputational risks. As litigation costs rise and PTAB proceedings continue to reshape enforcement strategies, in-house teams are tasked with making high-stakes decisions that align with corporate priorities. This session will explore how leading companies approach patent enforcement with a strategic mindset, balancing aggressive action with practical considerations around settlement, licensing, and global jurisdictional challenges. Attendees will gain insights into building effective enforcement playbooks tailored for today’s complex IP landscape.
This Panel will Explore:
- Aligning patent enforcement strategies with corporate and competitive goals
- Evaluating when to litigate, license, or pursue alternative dispute resolution
- Managing enforcement risks, including reputational and counter-litigation concerns
- Best practices for collaboration between in-house teams, outside counsel, and litigation funders
Phil Hirschhorn, a partner at Panitch Schwarze, is a first chair trial lawyer who has been counseling clients regarding and litigating patent license disputes in district courts, the ITC, and in arbitration for over 30 years. He is also very involved with adversarial proceedings before the Patent and Trademark Office. Phil serves as the co-Chair of the Federal Circuit Bar Association’s PTAB/TTAB Committee focusing on inter partes review proceedings before the PTAB.
Whether acquiring a startup, launching a spin-out, or expanding into new markets, brand assets are central to deal value—and deal risk. From trademark diligence to copyright strategy during integrations, missteps are costly. This session brings clarity with real-world M&A case studies, actionable frameworks, and lessons for safeguarding brand value across transformations.
This Panel will Explore:
- Conducting trademark and copyright diligence in deals and spinouts
- Managing brand ownership during corporate restructuring or carve-outs
- Aligning IP strategy with brand expansion and international growth
- Best practices for protecting brand value during integrations or divestitures
Carina Harrison is a distinguished brand developer and strategic leader with over a decade of experience in managing globally recognized brands. Her expertise lies in media and talent-led brands, particularly excelling in large-scale Direct-to-Retail programs for major retailers such as Target, Walmart, Amazon, Ulta, American Eagle, and Kohl’s.
Currently, as the Vice President and Head of Licensing & Partnerships at Hello Sunshine, Carina is responsible for building and implementing strategies to amplify the brand’s mission to center women in storytelling through strategic partnerships, brand collaborations, and licensed consumer products. Before advancement, she held Vice President, Commercial Operations for The Home Edit, where she led their organizing services, drove new revenue streams, and optimized retailer relationships.
Carina’s previous experience as Vice President of Brand Management at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) involved leading the growth and execution of consumer product programs for high-profile clients, including Draper James, Drew Barrymore, Lil Wayne, and Netflix’s licensing programs for popular series such as Stranger Things, Bridgerton, and Squid Game.
Her career began at Tesco, the largest retailer in the UK, as an apparel buyer, following her graduation with top honors in Buying Management. In 2017, she relocated to New York City to focus on developing Drew Barrymore’s Flower brand portfolio into a cross-category Home DTR with Walmart.
Renowned for her ability to build high-performing teams and holistic management approach, Carina combines her expertise in licensing, retail management, and brand development with exceptional communication skills. This has solidified her reputation as a trusted leader in the industry, with a proven track record of driving brand expansion and sustainable growth for her clients.
If interested in participating, email info@centerforceusa.com
Rotating, 20-minute discussions hosted by a topic expert
Roundtable 1: Topic TBA
Hosted by: Richards, Layton, and Finger, P.A.
Roundtable 2: Topic TBA
Hosted by: Michelle Mancino Marsh, Partner, ArentFox Schiff
Roundtable 3: Topic TBA
Hosted by: Miles & Stockbridge
Roundtable 4: Topic TBA
Hosted by: Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel, LLP
Roundtable 5: Topic TBA
Hosted by: ArentFox Schiff
Speakers
Jason Sobel is a partner in the Firm’s Intellectual Property Litigation, Trademark, Copyright & Advertising, and Technology Practice Groups. His practice spans a wide range of areas of intellectual property law, including litigation, transactions, prosecution, and other strategic matters. Jason provides intellectual property and litigation counsel to clients in numerous industries and technological disciplines, including software and internet companies; manufacturing of mechanical and electrical devices and materials; financial services; chemicals; food products and ingredients; medical devices; life sciences; semi-conductors; and consumer products.
Erik Milch is a partner in the Litigation Department, co-head of the Patent Law practice and a member of the Intellectual Property and Trials group.
As a first-chair trial lawyer, Erik brings more than 25 years of experience litigating in key jurisdictions across the U.S., as well as before the International Trade Commission and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Erik litigates complex matters involving medical devices, life sciences instrumentation, pharmaceuticals, electrical and computer technology, and consumer products. He regularly counsels clients in a range of industries in connection with patent procurement, development of patent portfolios, patent licensing, valuation of patent portfolios in business transactions and transactional diligence.
Joe Drayton is a partner in the Litigation Department, co-head of the Patent law practice and a member of the Intellectual Property and Trials groups.
Joe is a first-chair trial lawyer with over two decades of experience representing some of the nation’s most prominent companies in high-stakes intellectual property (IP) and complex commercial litigation. He has successfully handled matters across a broad range of industries before state and federal courts, the International Trade Commission and arbitration tribunals including the American Arbitration Association. Joe’s practice spans all areas of IP law—patent, trade secrets, copyright, trademark, trade dress and false advertising—both domestically and internationally. He also advises clients on IP acquisition, transfer, protection and enforcement strategies.
Puja Detjen is a partner at Patterson + Sheridan LLP who serves on the firm’s management committee. Her practice focuses on patent preparation and prosecution of both domestic and international patents, global brand protection, and IP due diligence.
Puja is able to parlay her knowledge of clients’ technology and business into a comprehensive IP strategy focused on developing and protecting their innovations and brands.
Prior to her legal career, Puja was an engineer for GE Energy supporting corporate strategy objectives across manufacturing, operations, and supply chain management. Today, she leverages her diverse industry experience to lead the way for clients seeking to align their IP efforts with a strategic plan.
Ajay A. Jagtiani possesses 27 years of experience in all phases of patent prosecution, including patentability, validity and infringement opinions, procurement of international patents, client counseling, licensing, agreement negotiations, and mergers/acquisitions.
Ajay supports numerous clients in biotechnology, including diagnostics, genomics, immunotherapy, proteomics, pharmaceuticals and other microbiology techniques. He has extensive experience in the academic world, providing assistance in intellectual property matters and technology transfer to educational institutions around the globe.
In the state arena, he has advised the Secretary of Technology for the Commonwealth of Virginia regarding intellectual property matters, and he has drafted proposed intellectual property legislation.
At the federal level, Ajay has advised such government agencies and laboratories as the Department of Energy, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Mines, Naval Medical Research and Development Command, Naval Command and Control Center, NASA, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratory, and the Naval Research Laboratory.
Phil Hirschhorn, a partner at Panitch Schwarze, is a first chair trial lawyer who has been counseling clients regarding and litigating patent license disputes in district courts, the ITC, and in arbitration for over 30 years. He is also very involved with adversarial proceedings before the Patent and Trademark Office. Phil serves as the co-Chair of the Federal Circuit Bar Association’s PTAB/TTAB Committee focusing on inter partes review proceedings before the PTAB.
Ben is a registered patent attorney and focuses on complex litigation and technology counseling.
Ben’s litigation experience includes managing complex civil litigation cases of all types, including post grant IP matters, patent, unfair competition, trademark and trade dress, copyright, property disputes, and breach of contract cases. He also has experience in cases involving preliminary injunctive relief.
His technology practice involves litigation and also counseling small and large companies on all types issues impacting their companies, including guiding IP prosecution efforts. He has counseled individuals and companies in services industries, manufacturing, telecommunications, software, food and consumables, petroleum refining, internet and media, and transportation.
Ben also maintains an active pro bono practice. His pro bono work includes counseling and litigation for veterans denied disability benefits, prisoners, home associations, housing disputes, and is part of the pro bono counsel for the Rare Genomics Institute.
Nancy Del Pizzo is a member of Rivkin Radler’s Commercial Litigation; Intellectual Property; and Privacy, Data & Cyber Law Practice Groups. She resolves commercial disputes, including intellectual property matters such as trademark, trade dress, copyright and patent infringement, restrictive covenants and domain name disputes, misappropriation of trade secrets and unfair competition, false advertising, defamation and trade libel.
Michelle has built an impressive track-record practicing in trademark, copyright, patent, unfair competition/false advertising, anti-counterfeiting/anti-piracy, internet, and fashion and wearable technology law.
Michelle’s clients span a broad range of industries including fashion and retail, food and beverage, computer software and hardware, educational services, financial and consulting services, pharmaceutical, and media and entertainment. Michelle is distinguished not only by the victories she has achieved for her clients but also for the wider influence and interest her cases have generated. She represents clients in state and federal courts, at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and before the International Trade Commission. She has also successfully obtained preliminary injunctions and ex parte seizure orders on behalf of her clients, and works closely with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and law enforcement in coordinated anti-counterfeiting efforts. She has argued and won numerous federal and state court appeals, including the Second Circuit’s seminal famous marks case of ITC Ltd v. Punchgini, Inc. Michelle has also successfully represented numerous companies in connection with design patent disputes in industries ranging from consumer products to industrial products.
Complementing her litigation work, Michelle’s practice also includes counseling and opinions, trademark and trade dress prosecution, devising cost-effective brand protection programs, negotiating licenses, IP acquisitions, and cobranding agreements on behalf of clients, and counseling clients on the use of social media and other online platforms to market and sell their goods and services.
Lance Hochhauser is Senior Intellectual Property Counsel at Prove Identity, Inc., overseeing all facets of Prove’s intellectual property. He is also managing Prove’s AI policy and has stood up a model risk management program to standardize responses Prove provides to clients.
Prior to his time at Prove, Lance was Associate General Counsel at SWIM USA; Intellectual Property Counsel at IQVIA; and Patent Attorney – Team Lead at IBM.
Lance earned his J.D. from Emory University School of Law and his bachelor degree in chemical engineering from Vanderbilt University. Lance is admitted to practice law in New York and is also admitted to practice before the USPTO.
Sophie Abae is Senior Counsel for Flock Safety, a technology company focused on solving and eliminating crime through its suite of unique software, products, and wide network of customers. In her role, she manages the company’s expanding intellectual property portfolio, including patents, trademarks, and trade secrets, and is a senior member of the commercial revenue legal team. Sophie is proud to have had the privilege of entering into tech early in her career, giving her a fresh perspective on what it means to be a legal partner to a growing business. A South Florida native and a graduate of Boston College undergrad and law school, Sophie is thrilled to now call New York City her home.
Ms. Ksenia Takhistova is an experienced IP litigator and technology attorney who counsels clients on US intellectual property law issues across a wide variety of modern and emerging technologies. She has substantial experience in all aspects of litigation, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in patent cases, including Hatch-Waxman litigations, before the Federal District Courts, at the International Trade Commission, in post-grant proceedings at the US Patent and Trademark Office, and in appeals from these proceedings.
She has also handled other IP-related disputes, including trade secret, false advertising, and antitrust issues, in both Federal and State Courts. Ksenia represents clients in transactions, such as settlement negotiations and IP licensing discussions, and performs due diligence and opinion work, including freedom-to-operate, patentability, infringement and validity analyses. Drawing on her extensive educational and research background in the mechanical and chemical engineering arts, she is able to effectively handle disputes in technical fields, such as mechanical and medical devices, electrical and computer technology, life sciences, chemical, materials, and consumer products.
Over the course of her nearly twenty-year career, Erin M. Dunston’s practice has been a purposeful mix of patent prosecution and litigation. She concentrates her practice primarily in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and associated computer technology. To date, Erin has handled more than 20 district court litigations and more than 25 inter partes reviews (IPRs) and more than 40 interferences before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (P.T.A.B). Assisting both patent owners and putative infringers/petitioners, this experience ranges from pre-filing analyses all the way through appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Carina Harrison is a distinguished brand developer and strategic leader with over a decade of experience in managing globally recognized brands. Her expertise lies in media and talent-led brands, particularly excelling in large-scale Direct-to-Retail programs for major retailers such as Target, Walmart, Amazon, Ulta, American Eagle, and Kohl’s.
Currently, as the Vice President and Head of Licensing & Partnerships at Hello Sunshine, Carina is responsible for building and implementing strategies to amplify the brand’s mission to center women in storytelling through strategic partnerships, brand collaborations, and licensed consumer products. Before advancement, she held Vice President, Commercial Operations for The Home Edit, where she led their organizing services, drove new revenue streams, and optimized retailer relationships.
Carina’s previous experience as Vice President of Brand Management at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) involved leading the growth and execution of consumer product programs for high-profile clients, including Draper James, Drew Barrymore, Lil Wayne, and Netflix’s licensing programs for popular series such as Stranger Things, Bridgerton, and Squid Game.
Her career began at Tesco, the largest retailer in the UK, as an apparel buyer, following her graduation with top honors in Buying Management. In 2017, she relocated to New York City to focus on developing Drew Barrymore’s Flower brand portfolio into a cross-category Home DTR with Walmart.
Renowned for her ability to build high-performing teams and holistic management approach, Carina combines her expertise in licensing, retail management, and brand development with exceptional communication skills. This has solidified her reputation as a trusted leader in the industry, with a proven track record of driving brand expansion and sustainable growth for her clients.
Jennifer is an experienced litigator. As a partner at Delaware law firm Morris Nichols, she focuses on patent, trademark, trade secrets, and other complex intellectual property disputes in federal and state court. Her experience encompasses all aspects of litigation from outset to trial and through appeal in both lead counsel and co-counsel roles.
An MIT graduate with degrees in electrical engineering & computer science and management, she frequently draws on her technical background in her patent litigation work.
Daniel S. Block is a director in Sterne Kessler’s Electronics Practice Group. Dan’s practice primarily focuses on patent and anti-counterfeiting litigation at the International Trade Commission and in Federal district court. Dan has been integral in designing and implementing anti-counterfeiting measures for numerous international brands, with a focus on cost-neutral enforcement strategies. He has also served as counsel in over 110 post-grant proceedings at the USPTO’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board. His technical expertise covers many areas of computing including: computer graphics, networking communications, web services, complex computer architectures, and storage systems.
Dan’s brand enforcement work includes obtaining judgments against hundreds of defendants selling counterfeit products of major consumer brands. He has obtained judgments totaling over 50 million dollars, and seized or stopped the sales of tens of thousands of counterfeit items over the Internet. Dan has served as an advisor to associates participating in the PTAB’s Legal Experience and Advancement Program (LEAP), which provides associates with training and development opportunities in PTAB proceedings, including oral argument.
Dania Nasser is the Senior Associate General Counsel at Canon Business Process Services. Prior to working in this role she was the Business Operations and Compliance Counsel at Ralph Lauren. Dania acquired her law degree from Yale University.
Sponsors
Brown Rudnick
Brown Rudnick is an international full-service law firm with offices in key business centers in the United States and the United Kingdom. We provide legal services to clients across various industries such as artificial intelligence, technology, digital commerce, life sciences, and brand and reputation management. Our approach combines creativity with experience to achieve favorable outcomes for our clients in high-stakes litigation and complex business transactions. We prioritize partner-driven service, encourage collaboration among our lawyers in the best interest of the client, and prioritize excellence over scale. Our focus is on industry-specific, client-facing practices where we have established recognition. In all aspects of client relationships, we aim to bring the full strength of our firm to serve the comprehensive needs of our clients.
Proskauer Rose
The world’s leading organizations and global players choose Proskauer to represent them when they need it the most. With one of the largest global client rosters, you can be confident you will be in good company and represented by the best minds in the business.
800 strong, our top tier team of star trial attorneys, acclaimed transactional lawyers and exceptionally talented partners and associates have earned a reputation for the relentless pursuit of perfection and a dauntless pursuit of success. Business savvy and market driven, our intellectual capital drives success. We are proud of our many achievements across a full spectrum of transactional and contentious practices. We secure victories, help build businesses and set precedents. Proskauer was founded on the same bedrock values that hold true today. Hard work, mutual respect, cooperation, integrity and an unwavering dedication to client service are as integral now as when our doors first opened in 1875.
Richards, Layton & Finger
Defining Delaware law since 1899, Richards, Layton & Finger helps clients navigate complex issues and the intricacies of Delaware law. The firm has participated in groundbreaking cases defining Delaware corporate law, and its lawyers have long played crucial roles in drafting and amending the state’s influential business statutes. Richards Layton advises global companies, business partnerships, financial institutions, local businesses, and individuals across a wide range of practices, including corporate law, alternative entities, commercial law, bankruptcy and restructuring, commercial real estate, tax, trusts and estates, and litigation. In addition, Richards Layton is nationally recognized for tackling some of the most difficult, large-scale intellectual property matters that emerge in the Delaware District Court, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in complex patent infringement, trade secret, and trademark cases.
Arent Fox Schiff LLP
Founded in 1942, Arent Fox Schiff is internationally recognized in core practice areas where business and the law intersect. With more than 430 lawyers and professionals, the firm provides strategic legal counsel and multidisciplinary solutions to a global roster of corporations, governments, and trade associations.
https://www.afslaw.com/
Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox
Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox is an intellectual property law firm of more than 175 professionals devoted to providing high value patent and trademark legal services. For 40 years, we have helped companies build, defend, and enforce worldwide IP portfolios from Washington, DC. Sterne Kessler’s service model is built on the unrivaled technical depth of its professionals, who hold over 50 Ph.D.’s and over 100 advanced technical degrees.
Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP
Recognized as a premier Delaware law firm, Morris Nichols handles bet-the-company, high-stakes matters in the four key areas of corporate litigation, alternative entities and corporate counseling, bankruptcy and restructuring, and intellectual property litigation. The firm is regularly involved as lead counsel or co-counsel in matters of national and international significance, as well as those affecting its immediate community
Miles & Stockbridge
Miles & Stockbridge helps businesses worldwide maximize the strategic value of their innovations in all areas of technology and science while adding value to their balance sheet. The team litigates clients’ most important disputes, manages global portfolios and handles complex transactions that have significant outcomes for many of the most recognized brands.
Our IP team at Miles & Stockbridge is experienced in procuring, managing, and maximizing intellectual property (IP) value through prosecution and transactions. These include trade secrets, patents, trademarks, and copyright, as well as those involving the Internet, e-commerce, corporate and secured transactions, computer law, technology transfer, licensing and related services. Our lawyers understand and work with complex technologies in all disciplines, and we have extensive experience with the procedures and requirements of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Most importantly, we take a practical business approach to IP that transcends the details of products and processes and recognizes the use of IP as a business tool. We are skilled at helping companies maximize the value of their intellectual assets by partnering with them in transactions and helping them develop effective business practices that integrate innovation and IP management as a core discipline. Learn more at www.mslaw.com
DLA Piper
With a portfolio of services to match every stage of the business lifecycle, DLA Piper combines practice area knowledge with modern industry insights and an expansive global footprint in a way that no other firm can. Our solutions are tailored and seamless – and ready to meet your toughest challenges. We’re guided by a simple belief – that we’re only as successful as our clients are. That’s why we fully invest in your success by working with you to deliver creative solutions, exceptional value, and peace of mind.
DLA Piper has more than 90 offices and 4,900 lawyers worldwide. Our deep capabilities and broad global platform and mind-set produce exceptional results for our clients around the world. In the US, we are located in all key markets and offer a full range of services. We represent many of the world’s leading companies, including multinational, Global 1000 and FTSE 250 companies, in a wide range of industries.
Patterson + Sheridan
Patterson + Sheridan LLP is a boutique IP firm with eight offices nationwide. Our firm’s broad and deep technical expertise sets us apart with 80+ attorneys, patent agents, and technical advisors spanning disciplines in engineering, physics, computer science, biology, materials science, and chemistry. P+S combines technical expertise with an in-depth understanding of intellectual property law and our clients’ business objectives to provide a pragmatic, efficient approach to support licensing and litigation efforts.
With a focus on patent preparation and prosecution since our beginning, P+S has formed decades-long partnerships with companies working seamlessly together to build, leverage, and protect their IP assets. P+S also works with some of the world’s best-known brands, providing cost-effective IP strategies and protection for a range of assets.
Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP
Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP is an IP boutique whose roots run deep in the domestic and international IP communities. Panitch provides litigation, licensing, and strategic counseling services relating to patents across all areas of science, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. Panitch’s team of attorneys and agents form close attorney-client relationships and tailor their services to meet unique client needs.
Foster Garvey
Rivkin Radler LLP
Through five offices in the Northeast region and 200 lawyers, Rivkin Radler consistently delivers focused and effective legal services to successful individuals, middle-market companies and large corporations. Now in its 70th year, the nationally recognized firm offers 21 practice areas, and is committed to its best practices, which exceed professional and ethical standards. The work product is clear and delivered on time. As a result, our clients proceed with confidence.
Venue
TBA
New York City, NY
Pricing
| Register By | In House Counsel | Law Firms & Vendors |
|---|---|---|
| November 19th | $395.00 | Contact info@centerforceusa.com |
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- Please note that speakers and topics were confirmed at the time of publishing, however, circumstances beyond the control of the organizers may necessitate substitutions, alterations or cancellations of the speakers and/or topics. As such, CenterForce reserves the right to alter or modify the advertised speakers and/or topics if necessary. Any substitutions or alterations will be updated on our web page as soon as possible.
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