Join us for the Association of Corporate Counsel Mountain West Chapter Tech Law Symposium on March 21, where industry leaders will explore the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in tech law. This one-day event offers invaluable insights into cutting-edge topics like data privacy, cybersecurity, intellectual property, and emerging technologies. Network with top professionals and thought leaders in the tech and legal sectors while gaining practical knowledge to navigate the evolving landscape. Whether you're an in-house counsel, attorney, or tech expert, this symposium provides the tools you need to stay ahead.
This live event will be webcast for those outside of Utah. Virtual participants will be able to interact with presenters through a constantly monitored Chat session, and all questions will be addressed. We will apply for CLE in Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming.
We encourage companies to send their teams. If your group purchases 3-5 tickets together, you can save 10% off each ticket with the code GROUP3. If you purchase 6 or more tickets, you can save 15% on your tickets with the code GROUP6.
Agenda:
8:30-9:30 am: Breakfast/Check-in
9:00 am-10:00 am: AI Vendor Contracts: Negotiation Tactics and Comprehensive Due Diligence presented by Natasha Allen and Ashley Kennedy, Foley & Lardner
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape industries, corporate legal teams face increasing challenges in structuring and negotiating AI vendor contracts. Ensuring compliance, mitigating risks, and safeguarding data and intellectual property require a strategic approach to vendor selection, contract terms, and ongoing management.
In this session, Natasha Allen and Ashley Kennedy will provide a deep dive into effective negotiation tactics and comprehensive due diligence strategies for AI vendor agreements. They will examine key contract provisions, including liability allocation, data security, regulatory compliance, and performance benchmarks. Attendees will gain insights into best practices for evaluating AI vendors, identifying red flags, and structuring contracts that align with business goals while protecting legal and financial interests.
Key topics will include: Assessing Vendor Risk & Negotiating Liability & Indemnification
10:00-11:00 am: Partnering between Established Companies and Start-Ups presented by Scott Young and Joe Pennell, Mayer Brown; Stephanie Wilkins, Rush Street Interactive; Drew Wojciechowski, Awardco Inc.
Well-established companies thrive by accumulating capabilities, including by partnering with start-up companies. In those partnering arrangements, the established company often has greater capabilities, market access, technology capital and management skill in all areas but one. But, the startup is among the best in the world at that one area. That one area may, for example, be an emerging technology, an innovative product or a loyal customer base. The deal, then, is for the established company and the startup to share, in some ways, the risks and rewards of attempting to grow a business in the startup’s area using the established company’s capabilities. In this session, the presenters will provide suggestions for both established companies and startups to facilitate these deals.
11:00-11:15 am: Break
11:15-12:15 pm: Top 5 Immigration Considerations for Legal Departments of Tech Companies presented by Joe Paldino and Clark Cannon, Fragomen; Sydnee Christensen, Qualtrics
This session will explore key immigration compliance challenges and business strategies that legal departments in technology companies must consider under the new Administration. We will provide insights on navigating evolving immigration policies, emphasizing the need for proactive strategies to ensure workforce continuity and compliance. Attendees will leave with actionable guidance on aligning their immigration practices with the changing regulatory landscape to mitigate risks and enhance business operations.
12:15-1:00 pm: Lunch
1:00-2:00 pm: From Open Source to Enforcement: Understanding the Complexities of LLM Licensing presented by Heather Meeker, TechLaw Partners
This presentation will explore the evolving landscape of Large Language Model (LLM) licensing, examining both open-source and proprietary models. It will discuss how LLMs challenge traditional notions of copyright, particularly in terms of content generation and ownership. The presentation will also analyze the enforceability of licensing agreements and terms of service in the context of LLM usage, considering current legal frameworks and emerging challenges. Finally, it will address the implications for developers, businesses, and policymakers navigating these complex issues.
2:00-3:00 pm: AI Model Distillation and the Future of IP Protection for AI Products presented by Fredrick Tsang, Fenwick
Model distillation has gained mainstream attention following recent developments involving DeepSeek. It raises IP concerns because both current and future AI products may be susceptible to distillation. This presentation will examine emerging strategies for protecting AI products through copyright, contractual licenses, and patents. It aims to provide in-house counsel with a clearer understanding of the varying risk profiles associated with different types of AI products that software companies may offer.
3:00-3:15 pm: Break
3:15-4:15 pm: Smart IP: Building an Intelligent Framework for Modern Innovation presented by Phil Harris and Ian Clouse, Holland & Hart
Join us for an innovative session that combines practical policy guidance with timely legal analysis. This discussion will examine how traditional IP protection methods are evolving in response to technological advances, with particular focus on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. We'll explore recent court decisions reshaping IP law, discuss strategies for developing comprehensive IP policies, and provide practical guidance for protecting IP assets and know how in the digital age. Attendees will learn about emerging trends in patent filing and prosecution along with trademark/copyright protection, while gaining insights into effective portfolio development and management strategies.
