Events

Intellectual Property 101: What Every Corporate Lawyer Needs to Know

Corporate counsel and in-house legal teams who encounter intellectual property issues but do not specialize in IP law.

By the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Identify the four main types of IP protection
• Recognize when IP issues arise in common business situations
• Know when to seek specialized IP counsel
• Implement basic IP protection strategies

SPEAKERS

Cynthia McCaskill, Deputy General Counsel for Engineering, GE Aerospace

Stephanie Allen, Associate General Counsel - IP & Litigation, Cox Enterprises

Alison Ballard, Partner, Buchalter

Russ Dunlap, Partner, Buchalter

Amanda Hyland, Partner, Buchalter

AGENDA OUTLINE

IP Landscape Overview

• The four pillars: Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Trade Secrets
• When each type applies

Issue Spotting and Red Flags

• Common IP issues in contracts, M&A, and daily operations

Practical Protection Strategies

• Overview of measures safeguarding company IP
• NDAs, employee agreements and confidentiality measures

When to Call in the Experts

• Situations requiring specialized IP counsel
• How to brief IP attorneys effectively

CLE Credit Will be Applied For.

In advance of the The Global Women in Law & Leadership Symposium & Honors Dinner in the Delegates Dining Room at the UN on June 17th,  the Women in the House (WITH) Network and the ACC New York Chapter are excited to partner with the ACC Foundation to host a Funding the Future session on the evening of Tuesday, June 16th at the NYC offices of Greenberg Traurig.    

Please join ACC Central Florida and Jackson Lewis P.C. attorneys for a comprehensive seminar addressing today’s most pressing employment law issues and practical strategies for managing risk in 2026 and beyond. ACC Central Florida members are welcome to invite an HR colleague as your guest.

Complimentary valet parking.

Program information coming soon

Join us on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at the McNamara Alumni Center on the University of Minnesota campus, starting at 3:30 PM.

AGENDA
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM | Attendee check-in
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM | CLE program
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM | Networking reception
6:30 - 8:00 PM | Dinner

The event is open to ACC members and to in-house counsel guests.

1.5 Standard CLE credit is pending in Minnesota and Illinois.

Thanks to our sponsor, Baker McKenzie!

REGISTRATION WILL OPEN SOON.

Step up to the plate for a day at the ballpark!
You and your family are invited to catch all the action as the Columbus Clippers take on the Toledo Mud Hens!
Tickets are $15 per adult, and kids 12 and under slide in free.
Your ticket covers ballpark eats and non-alcoholic drinks—no need to bring your glove, just your appetite and team spirit!

 

About This Volunteer Opportunity:

In partnership with Legal at CHANEL, we are welcoming graduating high school seniors to the Chanel Corporate office to help them prepare for  their summer jobs and internships. The Legal Outreach educational program serves low-income, mostly minority, and/or first generation urban youth from underserved neighborhoods in New York City.

Volunteers will work with students 1-to-1 on topics such as:

• Creating a Targeted Resume: Students will learn the dos and don’ts of developing a resume that will be attractive to potential employers. Students will be able to create their own standout resumes after reviewing sample resumes and receiving tips for highlighting their skills from facilitators.
• Preparing for the Interview and Follow Through: Students will learn the steps to preparing for an interview and how to place themselves in the best position to receive a job offer through post-interview follow-up.

Refreshments will be served.

Apply to volunteer ~ attendance is subject to availability. 

Join your in-house colleagues for a members-only roundtable where we’ll discuss how in-house counsel are using AI to work smarter, not harder.  Join to hear from your peers who dove into the pool of AI options, made one or more selections, and are now using them to serve their clients.

We will follow the Chatham House Rule, meaning participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of any other participant may be revealed.

This program is for informational purposes only; no CLE will be offered.

This session will explore practical strategies for protecting trademarks in an era of e-commerce, social media, and global marketplaces. We will address monitoring tools, enforcement tactics, and best practices for mitigating infringement risks online. 

Learning Objectives:

 · Understand common digital trademark infringement scenarios and their impact on brand value. 

 · Learn effective monitoring and enforcement techniques for online platforms and marketplaces. 

· Identify proactive measures to safeguard trademarks in global jurisdictions.

The event will be moderated by Chris Graff – Partner, K&L Gates

Panelists include:

Christine Pompa – Vice President, Deputy General Counsel & Assistant Corporate Secretary, YETI. Leads YETI’s legal strategy with a focus on intellectual property, litigation, and brand protection for a global consumer brand.

 Craig Westemeier – Senior Associate Athletics Director, Trademark & Licensing, The University of Texas Athletics. Oversees trademark licensing, brand protection, and commercial partnerships for UT Athletics.

 Ryan Pierce – Associate General Counsel, The University of Texas System. Advises on intellectual property, trademark, and business law matters across the UT System’s academic and health institutions.

 Steven Lin – Associate General Counsel, Intellectual Property, Cirrus Logic, Inc. Manages global IP strategy, including trademarks, patents, and IP risk for a leading semiconductor company.

 Stevie Fitzgerald – Chief Legal Officer, SXSW, LLC. Leads legal operations for SXSW, including IP, content, and brand protection issues for a major global media and events platform.

Agenda:

5:00pm - 5:30pm   Sign in & Networking

5:30pm - 6:30pm   Presentation

6:30pm - 7:00pm   Reception

On Thursday, April 23, 2026, join us at Doc's Hall in St. Louis Park for an interactive CLE program and happy hour.

AGENDA
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM | Check-in and conversations
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM | CLE program
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM | Networking happy hour

Off-street free parking is plentiful nearby.

The event is free and open to ACC members and to in-house counsel first-time guests. 

Thanks to our sponsor, Spencer Fane LLP!

REGISTRATION WILL OPEN SOON.