2026 - 2027 Committees
Programming Chair: Kenneth Matuszewski
Sponsorship Chairs: Peter Lee, Greg Mayer
|
Committee |
Focus |
Chair |
Vice Chair |
Liaisons |
Agents |
Plans presentations and meetings on topics of interest to patent agents. |
Michal Gawlik |
Alejandro Menchaca |
|
Appointments |
Assists IPLAC in promoting IP attorneys for judicial and other governmental openings. |
Marc Richards Adam G. Kelly |
Matthew Marrone |
|
CLE |
Ensures all educational events, accreditation, documentation, and related processes comply with applicable CLE requirements. |
If you are interested in volunteering for this role, please click HERE to fill out an interest form. | ||
Copyright |
Plans meetings on copyright topics of interest. |
If you are interested in volunteering for this role, please click HERE to fill out an interest form. |
||
Creator of the Year |
Solicits nominations for an award presented to a person or organization for a significant or unique creating in any aspect of IP. |
Vangelis Economou |
Joshua Smith |
Izabella Higson |
Dinner (Judges and Annual) |
Plans the IPLAC Annual Dinner in May and the Annual Dinner Honoring the Federal Judiciary. |
Lisa Becker Madalyn Phillips |
Laura M. Schaefer |
|
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee |
Promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion within IPLAC itself and the Chicago IP Community at-large through programming, outreach, opportunities for mentorship and sponsorship, assessing opportunities for improving diversity, and formulating diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies. |
Dunstan Barnes |
Laura M. Schaefer |
|
Ethics and Grievances |
Conducts IPLAC ethics and grievance hearings. |
Per the by-laws, this committee consists of the President, President-Elect, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. |
N/A |
|
Field Day |
Plans the golf tournament and other events for IPLAC’s Annual Field Day. |
Evan Kline-Wedeen |
Stephen E. Osseiran |
Evan Kline-Wedeen |
Foundation Liaison |
Liaises between IPLAC Educational Foundation and IPLAC leadership and Board. |
Kate Berezutskaya |
Kate Berezutskaya |
|
In-House |
Plans meetings and presentations on topics of interest to IP attorneys working in corporate law departments. Members of this committee are limited to corporate practitioners. |
Peter Lee |
Karina Wong |
Peter Lee |
International Relations |
Focuses on IPLAC’s international presence. Seeks, addresses, and facilitates opportunities for members to liaise concerning IP with representatives of bar associations and governmental offices outside the U.S. |
Marc Richards |
Matthew Kelly |
|
Law School Outreach |
Plans programming for the local law school students. Promotes camaraderie with the law schools. |
Professor Cynthia Ho |
Professor David L. Schwartz |
Professor Cynthia Ho |
Litigation |
Plans seminars on issues relating to IP litigation and AIA Trials. |
Tron Fu Josh James |
Matt Jorge Louay Meroueh |
Judy He |
Litigation: Amicus |
Tracks and identifies amicus opportunities and proposes and prepares amicus briefs to be submitted by IPLAC. |
Eric J. Hamp Margaret M. Duncan |
Judy He |
|
Litigation: Claim Construction |
Prepares annual book and update on recent cases involving claim construction issues. |
Kevin E. Noonan, Ph.D. Adam G. Kelly |
Atanu Das |
|
Marketing and Communications |
Drafts articles and social media posts, updates the IPLAC website (www.IPLAC.org), designs and composes communications to membership, and plans website improvements. |
Mary F. Fetsco |
Mary F. Fetsco |
|
Paralegal |
Plans presentations and meetings on topics of interest to paralegals. Plans networking and social events for members. |
If you are interested in volunteering for this role, please click HERE to fill out an interest form. |
||
Patents - U.S. |
Sponsors presentations on changes in U.S. patent law and procedures and regulations at USPTO. Also recommends to IPLAC leadership and board on whether IPLAC should take action on proposed legislation and regulation. |
Yoni Torchman Christopher Carani |
Elias Larson |
Kate Berezutskaya |
Symposium |
Plans and sponsors annual patent seminar on developments in patent law. |
Michelle E. Kouba |
Cassidy Aranda |
Izabella Higson |
Trade Secrets & Unfair Competition |
Sponsors an annual in-depth seminar on new developments in trade secret and unfair competition. |
If you are interested in volunteering for this role, please click HERE to fill out an interest form. |
||
Trademarks & Anti-Counterfeiting |
Plans and hosts presentations on changes in U.S. trademark law and procedures and regulations at USPTO. Also recommends to IPLAC leadership and board on whether IPLAC should take action on proposed legislation and regulation. |
Emily Kappers |
Lauren Eiten |
Laura Schaefer |
Women in IP |
Plans and hosts programs and meetings of interest to women IP practitioners. Hosts annual judicial panel and progressive networking dinner. |
Mary LaFleur Miklusak |
Samantha Marchand |
Laura Schaefer |
Young Members |
Plans networking and social events targeted to younger (and young at heart) members. |
Lydia Bayley |
Michael Johnson Sophia Gunzburg |
Lauren Segal |
Our Annual sponsors
