October 23-25, 2025
Four Seasons Hotel, Las Vegas, NV
Following up on last year’s successful meeting, the ABA-IPL Section once again joins with the Entertainment and Sports Industries Forum to host a joint meeting in Las Vegas featuring informative sessions on the latest developments in entertainment, sports and IP Law. This year’s meeting will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas. Watch the section website for complete information and registration as it becomes available.
Sponsors are invited to participate in the conference. Maximize the advantages of sponsorship by signing up now to be included in the fall meeting marketing and publicity outreach. For more information, contact Christopher Meacham, at [email protected].
The 23rd Annual Rocky Mountain Intellectual Property Institute, sponsored by the Colorado Bar Association, is set for May 29-30, 2025 in Westminster, CO. The Institute brings together intellectual property professionals from across the US and beyond. This year, panels will discuss the latest updates in patent and trademark law to complex issues in artificial intelligence, space law, and digital rights. The Institute will also include ethics presentations and breakout tracks focused on different IP areas of practice. The event will be valuable for anyone interested in patents, IP law, or emerging technologies.
For more information, and to register, visit the Rocky Mountain Intellectual Property Institute website.
Section Chair Susan McGahan provided remarks at the recent celebration of World IP Day at the U.S. Capitol on Washington D.C. on April 30. Susan moderated a panel featuring representatives of the U.S. Copyright Office and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
The theme for 2025 was IP and music: Feel the beat of IP, which explored the critical role of IP rights in supporting a thriving music scene. It also celebrated the work of songwriters, composers, producers, performers, musical device inventors, and all those who shape the music industry.
The celebration program featured opening remarks from Coke Morgan Stewart, Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Acting Director of the USPTO, and Shira Perlmutter, Register of Copyrights. Congresswoman Deborah Ross (D-NC) also provided remarks. Dave Pomeroy, AFM International Vice President. President of the Nashville Musicians Association, and musician extraordinaire performed live. There were additional prominent speakers from government, Congress, and the private sector. The event was sponsored by Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property.
World Intellectual Property (IP) Day is celebrated annually on April 26. Member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) selected April 26 in recognition of when the Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization came into force. World IP Day aims to increase public awareness and discussion of IP by celebrating the contributions of inventors and creators around the world and highlighting the role of IP rights (copyright, trademarks, patents, designs, and trade secrets) in stimulating innovation and creativity. The White House released the following statement in honor of the event.
This annual event is co-organized in conjunction with AIPLA, IPO, INTA, and other leading IP organizations.
The celebration underscored the critical role of IP protection in driving progress towards these global objectives, emphasizing the intersection of innovation, economic development, and sustainability.
The ABA-IPL Section held its 2025 Section Annual Meeting (IPLSPRING) from April 30 to May 2 in Arlington, Virginia. The event featured a comprehensive lineup of CLE educational programs covering all areas of IP law, alongside numerous networking events and governance meetings.
A highlight of the conference was the Mark T. Banner Award presentation luncheon, where Horacio Gutierrez of The Walt Disney Company was honored. Additionally, a special roundtable luncheon featured general counsel leaders from high-tech industries discussing the challenges companies face in the evolving IP landscape. Panelists included Brice David (Round Table Group), Steve Benz (Novo Nordisk US), Daniel Choi (Microsoft), Brian Gaffney (AT&T), and Regan Smith (News/Media Alliance).
The conference offered innovative CLE program panels on a wide range of IP topics. The Section’s law student reporter corps actively covered the event, sharing updates via social media.
Networking opportunities were abundant, starting with a Conference Connections session to help newcomers, young lawyers, and first-time attendees get acquainted with the conference and the Section. Afternoon receptions provided further chances for attendees to connect.
If you missed this year’s conference, mark your calendar for the 2026 Section Annual Meeting next April in the Washington, DC area. Stay tuned to the Section website for details on dates, locations, and registration.
We would like to give a special thank you to all of our sponsors for the 2025 Section Annual Meeting:
Horacio Gutierrez, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Legal and Compliance Officer at The Walt Disney Company, was presented with the prestigious Mark T. Banner Award by Section Chair Susan McGahan during a special luncheon at the recent Section Annual Meeting in Arlington, VA.
Gutierrez was celebrated for his role as a thought leader and advocate within the legal community. Known for his frequent appearances at industry conferences, contributions to legal publications, and active participation in policy discussions, his career is marked by a steadfast dedication to advancing intellectual property law. His influence extends across the technology and entertainment sectors, shaping how companies navigate legal challenges in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.
As a leader, advocate, and innovator, Gutierrez's contributions to corporate legal affairs and intellectual property have made him a deserving recipient of the Mark T. Banner Award. His work continues to set a high standard for excellence and impact in the field.
At the recent Section Annual Meeting in Arlington, Virginia, several leaders were honored for their exceptional service during a Leadership Dinner. These individuals, nominated by Division and Board Chairs as well as other Section leaders, were recognized for their significant contributions to the Section's work.
Section Chair Susan McGahan highlighted the dedication of many members, noting that the awardees represent the broader efforts of the Section.
Honorees Included:
Additional Recognitions:
These leaders exemplify the dedication and expertise that drive the Section's success.
This comprehensive handbook gives practitioners insights on patent litigation from prelitigation considerations through post-grant patent practice.
How an inventor or entrepreneur markets their product, service or invention in today's world is dependent on their audience. How to Market Your Invention, Product, or Journey, Fourth Edition is the definitive resource in today's dynamically changing marketing world.
Written by twenty legal practitioners who are extraordinarily familiar with China’s intellectual property laws, this book discusses and summarizes the protection of patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets in China.
All IPL Section webinars are free to Section members. Don’t forget to register and check them out.
ABA-IPL provides compelling CLE-accredited webinars that cover a broad range of IP issues. Mark your calendars for these upcoming webinars. Watch the events page on the Section website for information on all upcoming programs and events, and to register. As a special benefit of your membership in the ABA-IPL Section, you are able to participate in all ABA-IPL Section webinars for free.
ABA-IPL Section members are encouraged to donate to the Foundation for Advancement of Diversity in IP Law (“the Foundation”, or “FADIPL”) to help support its mission.
The Foundation’s mission is to offer career-preparation, career-readiness, and career-advancement support to individuals who identify as members of racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in intellectual property law profession in the United States.
The Foundation’s Programs work toward:
Individuals interested in donating can visit the FADIPL support page.
Your donation to the Judicial Internship Opportunity Program (JIOP) helps ensure that funding is available for students who are members of racial and ethnic groups, and others that are traditionally underrepresented in the profession, including students with disabilities, students who are economically disadvantaged, students who identify as LGBT, women, and veterans.
The JIOP IP program continues to grow with 28 judges requesting students with background or interest in intellectual property law. 130 of the 770 applicants showed interest with 58 of those students attaching additional background and statements supporting their experience. We placed a total of 32 IP students.
All ABA-IPL Section members are encouraged to show their support and donate to the Judicial Internship Opportunity Program.
Kim Jessum, Chair of the Section’s Nominating Committee, reports that the committee has selected the nominees for elective leadership positions for the 2025-2026 Association year.
Chair-Elect: Joshua Simmons, New York, NY. Mr. Simmons is the current Vice Chair. He served as Section Secretary for three years. He has also served as the Chair of the Policy Advisory and Development Committee for two years. He served as chair of the House of Delegates Resolutions Committee and as a member for three years. He chaired the Copyright Law Reform Task Force for five years. He served as a member of Council for four years. He was both Chair and Vice Chair of the Copyrights Division. He was Chair and Vice Chair of the Copyright and Social Media Committee and he served as a member of the AI Task Force.
Vice Chair: Paul Morico, Houston, TX. Mr. Morico is the current Section Secretary. He served as the Financial Officer for two years, and served as the Financial Officer-Elect for a year prior to becoming Financial Officer. Prior to becoming the Financial Officer-Elect, he served as Chair of the Patents Division for two years, as Vice-Chair for two years prior to that, and as Special Advisor to the Patents Division for two years before that. He has been a member of the Continuing Legal Education Board since 2010. He served as Chair and Vice Chair of the Patent Litigation Committee, the Investments Committee, and the Revenue Committee, and was also member of the Section 101 Task Force.
Secretary: Adrienne Fields, New York, NY. Ms. Fields is the current Publications Officer for the Section. She previously served as Vice Chair of the Content Advisory Board for two years. She has been a member of the Content Advisory Board for 11 years. She has served as a member of the Magazine Editorial Board for 15 years, and was Editor-in-Chief, Vice Chair and Intake Editor of that Board. She also served as a member of the former Annual Review Editorial Board for two years. She served as Chair of the Standing International IP Task Force for one year.
Financial Officer-Elect: Matthew Blackburn, San Francisco, CA. Mr. Blackburn has served on the Section Council for four years. He is a former Vice Chair of the Patents Division. He served as a Chair of the Patents in the High Tech and Software Industries Committee. Prior to that he served as Chair and as Vice Chair of the Patent Litigation Committee. He also served on the Section Nominating Committee.
Revenue Officer: Tammy Pennington Rhodes, Houston, TX. Ms. Rhodes is the current Revenue Officer. She served as a member of the Section Revenue Committee for 6 years. She has also served as a member of the CLE Board for nine years. She served as Chair of the International Patent Laws Committee, and served as Chair of the USPTO Ex Parte Patent Practice and Policy Committee for two years. She served as Vice Chair of the Patent Litigation Committee for two years and Chair of the High Tech and Software Patent Committee.
Membership Officer: Rivka Monheit, Atlanta, GA. Ms. Monheit is the current Membership Officer. She served as the Vice Chair of the Membership Board, and served as a member of the Membership Board for three years prior to that. She served a four-year term as a member of the Section Council. She was Chair of the International Patent Treaties and Laws Committee for two years, Chair of the Patent Legislation Committee for two years, and Vice Chair of that committee for two years. She served as a member of the Patent Section 101 Task Force for five years. She has served as a member of the In-House Counsel Task Force and the Standing International IP Task Force.
Publications Officer: David Postolski, Summit, NJ. Mr. Postolski is a current member of the Council. He served as Continuing Legal Education Officer for three years and on the CLE Board for 12 years. He was a member of the ABA Standing Committee on Continuing Legal Education. He previously served a term on the Section Council. He has also served on the Section Revenue Committee, the Membership Board, and the Nominating Committee. He was a Chair and Vice Chair of the Professional Issues Division. He was Chair of the Young Lawyers Action Group and Special Advisor to the International Associated Action Group. He was a Liaison from the ABA Young Lawyers Division and served as Liaison to the National LGBT Bar Association, the WIPO Standing Committee on Patents, and the Union Internationale des Avocats (UIA).
CLE Officer: Christopher Ponder, Menlo Park, CA. Mr. Ponder is the current CLE Officer. He served as the Vice Chair of the CLE Board for two years. He served as a member of the CLE Board for 6 years prior to that. He has been a member of the Revenue Committee for 6 years. He served as a member of the Membership Board for five years. He also served as a member of the AIA Task Force for one year.
Diversity Officer: Nicole Galli, Philadelphia, PA. Ms. Galli is the current Diversity Office. She was elected last year as the first Diversity Officer of the Section. She served as Liaison to the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession for two years. She served as a member of the Section’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force and as a member of the In-House Counsel Task Force. She was the CLE Officer for the Section for two years and served on the CLE Board for five additional years. She has served as the Liaison to the LES Supply Chain Committee. She was chair of the former CLE Teleconference Committee for one year. She has also served on the Section Membership Board.
Richard Biagi, Bannockburn, IL. Mr. Biagi is currently the Trademarks Division Special Advisor. He has also served as Vice Chair of the Membership Board for two years. He served a four-year term on the Council. Prior to his term on Council he was the Division Chair for the Trademarks and Unfair Competition Division. He was Vice Chair of that division for two years. He served as a member of the Magazine Editorial Board for five years and as a member of the Continuing Legal Education Board for three years. He served as Chair of the Trademark Litigation Committee for three years and also served as Vice Chair of that committee.
Nicholas Kim, Redmond, WA. Mr. Kim has served as Vice Chair of the Patent Litigation Committee for 5 years. He is a current Trustee on the Board of the Foundation for Advancement of IP Law (FADIPL). He served as Chair of the Diversity Action Group for 3 years and as a member of the Membership Board for two years. He was a Young Lawyer Fellow of the Section for 3 years.
Felicity Kohn, New York, NY. Mr. Kohn has served as the Chair of the Copyrights Division for two years. She was Vice Chair of the Copyrights Division for three years prior to that. She has served as a member of the Copyright Law Reform Task Force for two years. She was Vice Chair of the Visual Arts and Dramatic Works Committee, and Chair and Vice Chair of the Copyright Litigation Committee. She also served on the CLE Board.
Joseph Falcon, Malvern, PA. Mr. Falcon is currently Vice Chair of the USPTO Ex Parte Patent Practice and Policy Committee. He served as Chair and Vice Chair of the Patent Legislation Committee, and Chair of the Patent Litigation Committee. He was Vice Chair of the International Patent Laws Committee. He served for 4 years on the Patent Section 101 Task Force. He served as a member of the Membership Board, the Amicus Briefs Committee and the Section AIA Task Force. He has been the Section Liaison to the ABA Section of Litigation for two years.
TBD, The Section Nominating Committee is working to replace the candidate for this council position following the resignation of Dina Kallay, who was unable to fulfill the term. Further announcements will be made as to the selected candidate.
Davide Schiavetti, Washington, DC. Mr. Schiavetti is current Co-Chair of the Fashion Law Committee. He has served as Chair and Vice Chair of the Fashion Law Committee. He was also a Vice Chair of the Trademark Transactions Committee where he was chair of the then-subcommittee on Fashion Law.
Section Chair: According to Section bylaws, Rob Lytle, Redmond, WA. Mr. Lytle is the current Chair-Elect of the Section and was Vice Chair of the Section prior to that. Prior to becoming Vice Chair, he served as Revenue Officer for one year, as Financial Officer for two years, and as Financial Officer-Elect for one year. He served as a vice-chair of the Patents Division. He has served on the Books Editorial Board for 9 years, the Revenue Committee for 5 years, and the Investments Committee for 5 years. He was co-chair of the Trade Secrets and Interferences with Contracts Committee for two years. He served on the Policy Development Advisory Committee for two years, and has served on the In-House Counsel Task Force and the AIA Task Force.
Financial Officer: According to Section bylaws, Richard Stockton, Chicago, IL, the current Financial Officer in his first year, will serve a second year of a two-year term. He was Financial Officer-Elect prior to becoming the Financial Officer. Mr. Stockton served as Vice Chair of the Patents Division for two years. He was Chair of the Standing International IP Task Force for two years, and served as Vice Chair for two years. He was Vice Chair of the Patent System Policy Planning Committee for two years, Chair of the Patent Litigation Committee for two years, and Vice chair of the Patent Litigation Committee for four years.
The Section’s Nominating Committee, appointed by Section Chair Susan McGahan, is composed of:
Additional nominations for this new position or for any position may be made by petition signed by not less than 100 members of the Section, listed by their ABA ID number. The 100 names must be representative of at least three states and must indicate that the individual has agreed to the nomination. The petition must be sent to the Chair and the Secretary of the Section and must be received by these individuals not less than four months before the elections held at the ABA Annual Meeting. The Business Session with Elections will be held in Toronto on Friday, August 8, 2025.
Calling all authors, interested in submitting an article for possible publication in the ABA-IPL Landslide® magazine. If you would like to write an article for the magazine, please follow these steps and review the formal guidelines on the Section website.
Access leadership opportunities and amplify your voice by joining and becoming involved in one of the ABA-IPL Section Action Groups. Engage with your peers in one or more Action Groups for immediate networking and leadership opportunities.
Section Action Groups include:
All Section members are encouraged to review the committees and select and join those on which they wish to serve, and which are of interest to them. If you are already a member of one of the existing committees, you are carried over as a member in the new association year.
Take advantage of an opportunity to participate in developing Section policy and sign up as a voting member of your committee. Voting members will be asked to study the policy issues of the committee and vote on the reports in a timely and responsive manner. Any lawyer member of a committee is welcome to sign up to be a voting member of the committee.
Committee members who choose not to enroll as a voting member can still participate in all other committee activities and receive any committee updates and information.
Details of Committee Voting Membership:
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