In This Issue
- President’s Corner
- Announcements
- Recaps of Past Events
- Special Highlight – Learn More About IPLAC Member and Greer Burns & Crain Partner Kate Berezutskaya!
President’s Corner:
Hello IPLAC Friends!
As we wrap up another IPLAC membership year, I want to thank each of you for your contributions to our wonderful IPLAC community. I hope to see each of you at the Annual Meeting next week – in person – at the University Club of Chicago. Make sure your membership is renewed, and then you can attend the annual meeting for free!
I’d also like to give a great big THANK YOU to those who recently hosted events, including these fantastic events:
- Navigating Difficult Conversations on February 28;
- IP in the Burbs events on March 1 and April 5;
- Happy Hour with the Membership Committee on March 2;
- Partnership with the Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in the Law for a Literary Lawyers
- Series discussion of Super Sad Unicorn on March 15;
- NCAA Tournament Happy Hour on March 16;
- Current State of the EP Unitary Patent / Unified Patent Court Presentation on March 23;
- Partnership with DePaul University College of Law for the CIPLIT Faculty Lecture: Amgen v. Sanofi on March 30;
- Starting your own IP Practice on April 14;
- Privacy and DEI Considerations in Femtech on April 17; and
- Licensing Committee’s Happy Hour on April 19.
Don’t forget to save the date for our Field Day on June 28, 2023 at Wilmette Golf Course, and we are tentatively scheduled for our Annual Symposium and Judges Dinner on October 26, 2023.
Best,
Tiffany D. Gehrke
138th IPLAC President
Announcements
In-Person Annual Meeting on May 3
Our annual meeting will return to an IN PERSON dinner on May 3, 2023 at the University Club of Chicago. Please make sure your membership is current, and then join us for free as we celebrate our Chicago Public Schools college scholarship recipients, the Creator of the Year, and the transitioning of the Board of Managers. Please RSVP no later than 5:00 pm on April 26.
2023 Annual Field Day on June 28
Join us on June 28 for a day of golf, networking, and fun at the Wilmette Golf Club. The IPLAC Annual Field Day Golf Outing is an excellent opportunity to meet and network with fellow intellectual property professionals while enjoying a round of golf on a beautiful course. The event is open to all IPLAC members, their colleagues, and guests. We encourage you to bring your friends, clients, and coworkers for a day of friendly competition and socializing.
For the golf participants, we will commence with a shotgun start at 12:00 PM. For the Field Games participants, the games will begin at 3:00 PM. After golf has concluded, both the golfers and Field Games attendees will gather for a reception, dinner, and awards ceremony, where you will have the chance to win fantastic prizes!
Registration and sponsorship information will be available soon, so stay tuned!
Recaps of Past Events
IP In the Burbs – March 1, 2023
Another great gathering of IP attorneys in the western suburbs. The monthly happy hour explored a new microbrewery – Whiskey Hill Brewing Company in Westmont, IL. The owner and brew-master from First Forest Brewing joined us and shared experiences as a small business owner.
Current State of the EP Unitary Patent / Unified Patent Court – March 23, 2023
The Licensing Committee had an exceptional time on Wednesday, April 19th hosting its inaugural happy hour! Cole Hardy and Francesca Cardillo welcomed approximately 20 members and prospects of IPLAC at Slightly Toasted. Everyone enjoyed the evening, shared about their practice, and relaxed among friends—both old and new. The Licensing Committee would like to thank everyone for taking time out of their busy schedules to attend and contribute to a successful event, and we welcome everyone to join us at our next gathering. Cheers to many more fantastic happy hours for this group!
Licensing Committee Happy Hour – April 19, 2023
The Licensing Committee had an exceptional time on Wednesday, April 19th hosting its inaugural happy hour! Cole Hardy and Francesca Cardillo welcomed approximately 20 members and prospects of IPLAC at Slightly Toasted. Everyone enjoyed the evening, shared about their practice, and relaxed among friends—both old and new. The Licensing Committee would like to thank everyone for taking time out of their busy schedules to attend and contribute to a successful event, and we welcome everyone to join us at our next gathering. Cheers to many more fantastic happy hours for this group!
Special Highlight – Learn More About IPLAC Member and Greer Burns & Crain Partner Kate Berezutskaya!
Dr. Kate Berezutskaya is a partner at Greer, Burns & Crain, Ltd. in Chicago and an IPLAC member currently serving as co-chair for the IPLAC Judicial Appointments Committee.
Prior to earning her JD at Chicago-Kent, Kate earned a PhD in Molecular Biology/Biochemistry from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is a trusted intellectual property advisor to companies and research institutions and draws her strength from her science training and years of patent practice before the USPTO. Kate is recognized for her practical and creative approaches in developing and protecting patent portfolios in a wide range of technical areas, including biotechnologies, chemical technologies, building construction products, pharmaceuticals, biologics, manufacturing systems, plant genetics, cosmetic products, medical devices, and diagnostics.
Kate notes: “I am very proud and appreciative of being a member of our IP community and enjoy volunteering with the IPLAC.” She appreciates the IPLAC efforts in bringing our IP community together and looks forward to attending various IPLAC invents, including the IPLAC annual meeting and dinner in May and the field day/golf outing in July.