Trade Secret Strategy Summit: New York

Greg Penoyer is Assistant General Counsel at Hyper Solutions, a leading manufacturer of mission-critical digital data center power infrastructure. A seasoned IP lawyer with deep expertise spanning intellectual property, commercial, and technology matters, Greg brings over fifteen years of in-house and law firm experience to complex business challenges. Prior to joining Hyper, he practiced at law firms including Mintz Levin, Proskauer Rose, and Fish & Richardson in Boston, where he developed specialized knowledge across patent strategy, licensing, and technology transactions. Greg is a regular speaker and thought leader on trade secrets, IP strategy, and the intersection of innovation, legal strategy, and compliance.

Monique Ferraro provides legal and technical expertise in support of HSB Global Cyber Products. Ms. Ferraro’s cybersecurity and privacy experience spans more than twenty-five years in digital forensics, ediscovery, information security and privacy. Ms. Ferraro holds a master’s degree and a JD. She is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Privacy Professional/US (CIPP/US), Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM), Fellow of Information Privacy (FIP), and Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU).She also teaches a course on Cyber Space Law at Albany Law School.

Kim Jessum is Chief IP Counsel, Associate General Counsel, and Secretary at Heraeus Incorporated in Yardley, Pennsylvania and VP, Legal at Heraeus Medevio in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Heraeus is a Fortune Global 500 portfolio company specializing in precious metals, materials, sensors, biomaterials, and medical products, as well as quartz glass and specialty light sources. Kim is responsible for providing intellectual property and general legal advice for various business units in the United States and worldwide. She received her bachelors degree in chemical engineering and applied science from Lehigh University and her masters degree in biopharmaceuticals from the University of Pennsylvania. Kim was awarded her law degree and Certificate in Intellectual Property Law from Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology. She is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Illinois and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. She served as the Chair of the ABA Intellectual Property Law Section 2021-22 and is currently Chair of the ABA Section Officers Conference

I am a JD/MBA Attorney with a BS in Computer Science and more than 18 years of in-house legal experience spanning the healthcare, medical device, and technology sectors.

Prior to obtaining my law degree, I worked in IT consulting, beginning my career with IBM Global Services and later founding and operating my own IT services company.

I currently serve as Head of Intellectual Property for two healthcare and medical device subsidiaries of the Japan-based PHC Group: Ascensia Diabetes Care and Epredia. In this role, I am responsible for overseeing global intellectual property portfolios supporting diabetes care products and oncology laboratory equipment. I partner closely with R&D, product development, and business leadership to identify, protect, and strategically leverage intellectual property assets through patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secret programs.

Prior to joining PHC Group, I was a member of the in-house legal teams at IBM and IQVIA, where I worked directly with inventors and business leaders on all aspects of intellectual property development, protection, and enforcement.

In addition to portfolio management, I actively educate employees on the importance of intellectual property protection and the practical methods that support those protections,

I am a Registered Patent Attorney and am admitted to practice in New York and Connecticut, and registered as in-house counsel in New Jersey.

Diane Fiddle is a senior legal and compliance leader with over 25 years of experience advising public, private equity–backed, and multinational companies. Trained at top law firms and a former founder of a legal advisory firm, she has held senior counsel, General Counsel, and Chief Legal Officer roles, building and leading high-performing legal and compliance functions.

Jodie is Chief Counsel of the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), a public benefit corporation that develops the WELL Building Standard.  In her role, Jodie counsels the executive team on strategic initiatives, recommends standards body governance best practices, negotiates global transactions, liaises with key strategic partners and customers, leads policies to protect proprietary assets and advises on AI governance and data protection matters.

Jodie has extensive experience advising corporate and nonprofit clients on complex commercial and technology transactions as well as intellectual property, privacy and data security matters. Prior to joining IWBI, she counseled American International Group, Inc.’s various business units on technology and other corporate transactions. As Senior Associate at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, Jodie advised clients on intellectual property, privacy and data security aspects of complex, global mergers and acquisitions, financings and strategic alliances; and supervised discovery matters and motion practice in commercial litigation.

Elaine is Bell Labs Solutions, Strategic Partnerships and Technology Leadership Office Lead Counsel at Nokia. She has decades of experience working with world class scientists, inventors, and leading intellectual property professionals across the ecosystem of technology law and policy

Harry Halikias, Author of “Digital Shakedown: The Complete Guide to Understanding and Combating Ransomware,” has over 15 years of dedicated IT, security, and privacy service. He is an experienced business leader known for developing and implementing robust cybersecurity and privacy strategies. His expertise is underpinned by a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity and industry-leading certifications, including CISSP and CIPP/US, complemented by a continuous learning journey through professional development and industry engagement. A deep-seated commitment to privacy as a fundamental right is at the core of Harry’s professional ethos. This conviction drives Harry to create security programs that protect and add substantial value to organizations.

Glen Sproviero heads Verizon’s global ethics organization, where he is senior director and associate general counsel.  Prior to his current role, he was a litigator in New York, specializing in white collar criminal defense and investigations.  A former federal law clerk, he received an A.B. in philosophy from Fordham University, an M.Phil. in Intellectual History from the University of St Andrews (Scotland), and a J.D. from Rutgers.

Imtiaz Khan is a member of Houlihan Lokey’s Financial and Valuation Advisory business and leads IP Valuation & Advisory Services. With over 12 years of experience in valuation, modeling, and strategic consulting, he advises clients on assessing, monetizing, and optimizing the value of intangible assets across a broad range of industries and transaction contexts. His expertise spans IP valuation, strategic advisory, licensing structure design, litigation support, data valuation, and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) economics.

Imtiaz focuses on helping companies, investors, and rights holders unlock the value of IP and other intangible assets to drive growth, improve financing outcomes, and enhance competitive advantage.

Before joining Houlihan Lokey, Imtiaz was a Senior Director in Aon’s IP Solutions practice, leading IP valuations and portfolio monitoring initiatives. He previously advised on valuation and transaction strategies within Aon’s Strategic Advisory and M&A Solutions practices and began his career as a fixed income trader at Ronin Capital in Chicago.

Mr. Khan holds a B.A. in Economics, magna cum laude, from Lawrence University. He has also been recognized in the IAM Strategy 300: The World’s Leading IP Strategists and IAM 300: Global Leaders for his contributions to the field of IP valuation and strategy.

RONALD J. PRAGUE is Chief Legal Officer at Origin Wireless, Inc., a technology company located in Maryland. www.originwirelessai.com, where is responsible for a all of the company’s legal affairs. Prior to Origin, Mr. Prague was Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Synchronoss Technologies, Inc., a publicly-held software and services company. Prior to Synchronoss, Mr. Prague held several positions with Intel Corporation, lastly as Group Counsel for Intel’s Communication Infrastructure Group. Mr. Prague also practice law with the New York law firms of Haythe & Curley (now Torys LLP) and Richards & O’Neil (now Bingham McCutchen) where he focused on mergers & acquisition, securities and intellectual property and matters.

Mr. Prague is a frequent speaker and has over 25 years of experience doing global transactions in the telecommunications market. He is a graduate of Northwestern University School of Law and received a B.S., with distinction from Cornell University.

Matthew A. Kraus is a complex commercial litigator with a focus on software and emergent technologies such as AI, cryptocurrency, NFTs, and other blockchain applications.  He has extensive experience litigating trade secret matters in both state and federal courts in a wide array of industries including, software development, financial services, healthcare, military and defense, and insurance.  Matthew also handles a broad range of commercial and contract disputes, antitrust litigation, securities and structured products matters, corporate governance issues and investigations, and has extensive trial experience, representing and successfully litigating against some of the largest financial institutions in the world.

Anthony MacDonald Caputo is a complex commercial litigator with experience in financial products and securities litigation in both state and federal courts. Leveraging his extensive familiarity with complex financial and securities disputes, Mac is also a formidable trade secret litigator, and has defended and pursued trade secret misappropriation claims in the financial technology, software, and cryptocurrency space. Mac has also handled a wide array of commercial, contract, and fraud matters, and has accrued extensive trial experience, representing and successfully litigating against some of the largest financial institutions in the world.

Matthew F. Prewitt is a trial lawyer with a national practice focused on the law governing confidential business and personal information and the IT systems used to store, analyze, and transmit that data. Matt is Co-Leader of the Trade Secrets, Noncompetes & Employee Mobility group.

Daniel P. Moylan represents businesses and individuals in a range of complex litigation matters, including disputes in the area of intellectual property. His recent work includes defending clients in software licensing disputes involving technologies in the transportation, health care, and pharmaceutical industries. Dan has served as first-chair trial counsel in federal jury trials and in arbitrations; and he regularly coordinates joint efforts of lawyers and experts in matters related to the development and distribution of pharmaceuticals, including in multidistrict litigation and international arbitration.

Dan has litigated numerous copyright, trademark, and trade secret claims, as well as disputes involving licensed patented technologies.

Dan served for three years as an assistant prosecutor in the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, where he worked on investigations and appeals arising from the Balkans war. Prior to attending law school, he worked as a software programmer for a federal contractor.

As a Washington, DC-based litigator and investigations lawyer, Ivano Ventresca has played key roles in numerous high-profile representations of athletes, politicians, government influencers, and corporations. Recognized for his ability to untangle complex issues and to develop effective legal strategies, Ivano is frequently called upon to distill case themes into clear, compelling arguments – whether in briefs or in the courtroom. He is currently defending a global law firm against claims arising out of an alleged misappropriation of trade secrets.

Before joining the firm, Ivano was a litigation associate at an international law firm.

Elena Ayot is Senior Vice President and Senior Compliance Officer at Citigroup (“Citi”).  Elena leads Global Compliance for Wholesale Lending Operations, Transaction Management, and LATAM Client Relationship Services for the firm’s Services, Markets, and Banking & International businesses under the client franchise.  Before joining Citi, Elena was a Compliance Officer in Goldman Sachs’ Global Compliance Division.  Prior to transitioning into the banking industry, Elena was an Intellectual Property attorney in private practice and in-house at NBCUniversal. Before that, Elena was Counsel in the Boston office of Perry, Krumsiek & Jack LLP where she focused her practice on patent and trademark prosecution, trademark counseling, litigation, and patent and trademark licensing agreements.  Elena began her legal career in the Boston office of Locke Lord LLP.  Elena is a member of the New York State Bar and the Bar of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  Elena serves or has served on the Board of Directors of the Amy Winehouse Foundation (US), the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus (MWPC), and the Advisory Council of STARTNY and is involved with several other charities including the French Heritage Society, the New York Mission Society, and the New York Junior League.  Elena has been elected to Full Membership in the Economic Club of New York.  More recently, Elena was the Chair of the Natural Sciences Committee for the Penn Alumni Ambassador Program (f/k/a the Penn Alumni Interview Program) and a 2025 Fellow of the Economic Club of New York.  She holds a BA in Biology with a minor in Spanish from the University of Pennsylvania and a JD from New England School of Law.

Wil Rao is a seasoned patent lawyer and shareholder at McAndrews, Held & Malloy, Ltd., a firm known for its exceptional, hands-on IP practice. He is recognized by IAM’s Patent 1000, Strategy 300, and Strategy 300: Global Leaders, and Managing Intellectual Property’s IP Stars. IAM said clients turn to Wil “when victory in a dispute is a commercial imperative.” It also noted that he “maintains many long-term connections with those he represents, not least as a result of his ability to productively and commercially address any patent issue.”

He has been with the firm since 1997 and counsels clients ranging from Fortune 500 corporations to small startups and individuals. His practice focuses on all facets of IP, including IP litigation and procurement, as well as technology transfer, licensing, and IP strategy. He frequently writes and presents on these topics in media publications and conferences throughout the world. He leverages both litigation and procurement mindsets to strategically counsel clients, an uncommon skill combination that has delivered exceptional results.

Wil is a trial-experienced litigator. He handles all facets of complex litigation, including pre-filing investigations to examining witnesses at trial. His court successes range from patent jury trials – including one that defined the written description law – to a landmark trade secret case under section 337 proceedings before the U.S. International Trade Commission. His cases have included both single patent, single forum cases and multi-venue, multi-IP, multi-party litigations that proceed in numerous countries. Wil’s appellate practice concentrates on the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

In procurement, Wil harnesses his litigation experience to provide forward-thinking strategic counseling in patent prosecution, written opinions, licensing, and inter partes/post-grant reviews. His work here has involved a wide range of technology areas, including medical devices, gaming equipment, sporting goods and equipment, HVAC, railway equipment, heavy machinery, baby/children’s products, consumer electronics, graphical user interfaces, furniture, hardware and tools, dental equipment, pigments, lubricants, and product design.

Travis S. Hunter is a Director at Richards, Layton & Finger and an accomplished trial attorney with extensive experience litigating complex commercial disputes in Delaware’s state and federal courts. He regularly serves as trial counsel in high-stakes matters before the Delaware Superior Court’s Complex Commercial Litigation Division, one of the nation’s leading venues for business disputes.

His practice includes intellectual property and trade secret litigation, as well as disputes involving mergers and acquisitions, cryptocurrency, insurance coverage, and business contracts. He also represents clients in arbitration proceedings and is known for his ability to distill complex issues into clear, strategic litigation approaches.

Travis serves on the Delaware Superior Court’s Rules Committee and is active in the American Bar Association’s Section of Commercial and Business Litigation.

Avita Delerme is General Counsel at The Channel Company, a global media and events company serving the technology ecosystem across North America, EMEA, and APAC. Before joining The Channel Company, Avita spent nearly a decade advising iconic media and entertainment institutions, including The Public Theater, Lincoln Center, and Steinway & Sons. Across these roles, she counseled complex, content-driven organizations at the intersection of intellectual property, talent, and business strategy.

In her current role, Avita leads a global legal function spanning commercial transactions, data protection and privacy, employment, and enterprise risk for a platform with cross-border operations and data-driven products. She brings a practical, in-house perspective on protecting proprietary assets and managing workforce mobility. Avita serves on the Board of Directors of Queens Theater and is Co-Chair of the Theater and Performing Arts Committee of the New York State Bar Association’s Entertainment and Sports Law Section.

Gregory S. Bombard is a trial lawyer focusing on trade secret litigation, business torts, and other complex commercial disputes. Greg represents pharmaceutical, technology, and manufacturing companies in state and federal courts, as well as in arbitration proceedings throughout the United States. He regularly represents both plaintiffs and defendants in trade secret cases and related claims. Greg is a frequent writer and speaker on trade secret law and is the co-author of the book Protecting and Litigating Trade Secrets (2nd Ed.), published by the American Bar Association.

In addition to his trade secrets practice, Greg has deep experience defending consumer and business claims under the Unfair Trade Practice Acts of Massachusetts (Chapter 93A) and similar laws in other states. He has handled unfair trade practice litigation on behalf of banks, credit card processors, mortgage servicers, and other consumer finance companies.

Daniel R. Saeedi is a partner at Blank Rome LLP and a trial attorney based in Chicago, focusing on complex commercial litigation, labor and employment disputes, and trade secrets matters. He advises companies on high-stakes litigation, competitive hiring risks, and emerging issues in areas such as biometric privacy. Daniel is also a recognized thought leader, regularly publishing on topics including trade secret protection, employment law developments, and data privacy. He has been named among notable litigators and trial attorneys, reflecting his experience handling sophisticated disputes and counseling businesses on risk mitigation and enforcement strategy.

Laura D. Smolowe is a litigation partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, where she focuses on complex commercial disputes. A first-chair trial lawyer, she represents companies in high-stakes matters involving trade secrets, restrictive covenants, breach of contract, fiduciary duty, privacy, and fraud. Her practice spans industries including technology, life sciences, healthcare, and financial services, and she regularly advises clients navigating sensitive business and regulatory challenges.

She has been recognized among leading commercial litigators and is known for her strategic approach to disputes involving emerging issues such as AI governance and data protection.

Always focused on clients’ business needs and ultimate goals, Ty Doyle concentrates his practice on state and federal litigation, with an emphasis on commercial and intellectual property/trade secret disputes in the oil and gas, financial services and healthcare industries. Ty is entrusted with clients’ most difficult cases, which he addresses with an in-depth understanding of their business and a superior level of customer service.

Bryan Harrison is a member of the Intellectual Property Litigation Practice in Greenberg Traurig’s Boston office, focusing on trade secrets. He represents plaintiffs and defendants in trade secret litigation across the country in both federal and state courts. He contributed to the trade secret section of PLI’s 2025 Employment Law Yearbook and has written on trade secret related topics.

In addition to his trade secret work, Bryan has litigated patent, copyright, trademark matters, as well as commercial disputes involving breaches of contract, franchise disputes, payor-payee conflicts, post-sale breach of warranty issues, and financial litigation. He is experienced in managing all phases of litigation, including drafting complaints, conducting and defending depositions, managing e-discovery, trial and post-trial briefings. He has deep experience in both federal and state courts, as well as in arbitration across the country and internationally.

Bryan obtained an undergraduate degree in biochemistry. Before law school, he worked in a clinical genetics lab at Massachusetts General Hospital developing genetic tests to diagnose cardiomyopathy and hearing loss.

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.