In my role overseeing client relationship development for Ocean Tomo, I have the great fortune of cultivating long-term client relationships with leading lawyers across the United States. As such, I often attend industry events. And while the impacts of COVID over the last 18 months have limited in-person events, last week, I attended my first in-person conference, the annual Intellectual Property Owners “IPO” Conference.
While the event was notably smaller than typical years, with an audience of 275 compared to around 900 people, the content was exceptional. Western District of Texas (WDTX) Court Judge Alan D. Albright opened the conference, followed by sessions that covered several key topics including:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare & related licensing agreements
- Advanced analytics intelligence tools to support IP Department Operations
- Global rate-setting for Standards Essential Patents (SEPs)
One of the virtual sessions I attended featured a panel discussion on trade secret misappropriation focused on venue selection when some or all of the alleged conduct occurred outside the US.
Held in both a live and virtual format, the Storytelling for Leaders panel explored personal branding, specifically how to convey your story to prospective clients in an authentic, personalized manner.
Last week I also attended the second virtual USC IP Symposium. Ocean Tomo Managing Director Justin Lewis and I are active throughout the year planning for this conference. The three-day event kicked off with an outstanding judicial panel, “A View from the Bench” with Honorable Alan Albright (WDTX), Honorable Ken A. Jordan US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and Honorable Mark C. Scarsi, US District Court for the Central District of California (CDCA). The conference sessions also covered several topics such as
- Navigating the International Trade Commission (ITC)
- Diversity efforts within the USPTO and legal industry
- Vaccine IP Protection with the Chief IP Counsel for J&J
A highlight of the third day was a lively discussion about the Legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, which featured the Oscar-nominated firm maker for RGB, Julie Cohen.
On a more somber note, the Institute recognized Julie Yi, the former Director of Development for the USC Gould Law School’s Continuing Education Programs, who passed away earlier this year. Julie was a light at every conference; she always made me feel welcome. Her fantastic attention to detail, reflected in the conference’s unrivaled gathering of speakers, excellent content and 600+ attendees each year. We all miss her dearly. Ocean Tomo was proud to contribute to the Julie H. Yi Endowed Memorial Scholarship was created this year in Julie’s memory.