Pacific Standard Time

Today’s agenda

• How AI Might Play Out For Employers: A Look at Mobley v. Workday
• What Might Come From Mobley?
• What Is California Doing About AI?

• What Best Practices Should Employers Follow?

   

• Registration in advance - https://meetsutter.zoom.us/meeting/register/_cd_-icEQ6yYzu6GWwlOSg
• Join Zoom Meeting - https://meetsutter.zoom.us/j/94373386677?pwd=pip4xSidTyvqamyj8kHa0Y9XsJO9ka.1

Meeting ID: 943 7338 6677

Password: 882748

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Join us for our annual Business Summit!

Join ACCW for a fun membership event at the Museum of Flight!  

Date: March 21, 2026

Location: 9404 East Marginal Way South, Seattle, 98108-4097

Time: 3:00 PM

Soar through the year with The Museum of Flight's exciting and transformative experiences. All programs capture the excitement of a Museum experience and bring space, aviation, and STEM topics to life. 

This will be a private, guided tour that is family friendly.  Please note that children 0-4 years old are free and do not need a ticket. 

Due to limited capacity, we have a 4-ticket limit per person.  Thank you for your understanding.

Join ACCW and Davis Wright Tremaine for a private, member event at WeRise Wines.  This event will be an early evening gathering featuring a guided tasting with light food, along with a short, informal conversation with Jamila, the founder and owner of WeRise.

Jamila spent more than 20 years in the tech industry before launching WeRise, and she has a compelling story about entrepreneurship, career pivots, and building a mission-driven business focused on elevating diverse winemakers. We would also ensure non-alcoholic options are available, so the event feels inclusive for all attendees.

Join us March 10-12, 2026. All in-house counsel welcome!

All in-house counsel are invited to participate in up to 8 hours of virtual California CLE programming, an in-person networking reception, lunch delivery for members across the U.S. and more!  Discover new and timely legal updates pertaining to the Life Sciences industry both at home and across the globe.

Step 1: Life Sciences Social
Register March 10
5:30pm – 7:30pm In-Person Social @ Chandlery At The Shore, Brisbane, CA

Step 2: CLEs
Register March 11
9:30am – 2:45pm Virtual

Step 3: CLEs
Register March 12
9:30am – 2:45pm Virtual
 

TUESDAY, MARCH 11 - IN-PERSON SOCIAL
5:30pm-7:30pm | LIFE SCIENCES SOCIAL

REGISTER NOW
 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 - VIRTUAL

9:30am-10:30am | FINNEGAN
Legal Ethics in Life Sciences IP: Managing Conflicts, Confidentiality, and Compliance

Please join Finnegan in discussing some of the most pressing ethical considerations for Life Sciences attorneys today, including: 
1) Managing Conflicts of Interest
2) Ethical Duties in Protecting Confidential Information and Trade Secrets
3) Ensuring Accuracy, Integrity, and Candor in Patent Prosecution

SPEAKERS:
Jeffrey D. Smyth,, Partner, Finnegan
Briana Barron Vice President, Intellectual Property, Arcus Biosciences
Deborah Winokur, Associate General Counsel, Cozen O'Connor
Catherine Maresh, Chief Legal Counsel, DeepSight Technology 

10:45am-11:45am | NEWFRONT
Managing FDA Uncertainty as Enterprise Risk: Governance, Disclosure & Insurance Strategies for Life Sciences Legal Leaders

FDA decisions don’t happen in a vacuum; they ripple across the organization. Approval delays, shifting regulatory interpretations, and enforcement uncertainty can quickly translate into disclosure challenges, stock volatility, securities litigation, and board-level scrutiny.

This session will explore how legal leaders can treat FDA uncertainty as an enterprise risk and proactively manage related governance, disclosure, and D&O exposure. Through perspectives from in-house leadership, outside counsel, and insurance specialists, the panel will share practical approaches to navigating regulatory uncertainty, aligning internal and external communications, and mitigating downstream legal and financial risk across the company lifecycle.

SPEAKERS:
Deirdre Finn, National Practice Leader, Executive Risk Solutions
Eric Tausend, SVP, Senior Director & West Regional ERS Leader 
Stephen Brady, CEO, Tempest Therapeutics
 

12:30pm-1:30pm | MORRISON FOERSTER
"Commercially Reasonable Efforts", "Arising IP" and Similar Clauses - How Precision in Contract Language Can Help Avoid Future Disputes

SPEAKER:
Matthew A. Chivvis, Partner, Morrison Foerster

1:45pm-2:45pm | SHOOK HARDY
Trends and Developments in Preemption in Life Sciences Litigation

SPEAKER:
Kevin Underhill, Partner, Shook Hardy
Shane B. Kolding, Associate, Shook Hardy
 

THURSDAY, MARCH 12 - VIRTUAL

9:30am-10:30am | PERKINS COIE
IP Strategies for Life Sciences and Med Tech in 2026: Court Decisions and Trends to Watch and Why They Matter

The panel will unpack the IP developments shaping life sciences and med tech in 2026. The panelists will spotlight pivotal court decisions, track enforcement trends, and distill actionable takeaways for portfolio strategy, risk mitigation, and litigation readiness. Specifically, the panel will cover:

High-stakes biopharma patent litigations, including the Supreme Court’s consideration of Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. v. Amarin Pharma, Inc., and its implications for “skinny labels” and induced infringement strategies, and the Federal Circuit’s recent REGENXBIO Inc. v. Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. decision on natural phenomenon and patent eligibility.
Medical devices and AI-based diagnostics, focusing on how courts are applying stricter Section 101 standards in tension with the USPTO’s more lenient guidance—and what that means for patent eligibility, drafting, and prosecution.
Broader enforcement trends, including a projected rise in NPE activity targeting medtech and expanding cross-border actions before the Unified Patent Court.

SPEAKERS:
Arpita Bhattacharyya Ph.D., Partner, Perkins Coie (moderator)
Andrew T. Dufresne, Partner, Perkins Coie
Eb Bright, President & GC, ExploraMed
Betsy Haanes, Senior Director IP, Altos Labs
 

10:45am-11:45am | REED SMITH
From Pharma to Produce: California’s Evolving Tort Terrain

SPEAKERS:
Sarah B. Johansen, Counsel, Reed Smith
Steven J. Boranian, Partner, Reed Smith
 

12:30pm-1:30pm | FRESHFIELDS
Life Sciences Deal Structures: Practical Considerations and Lessons Learned

Panel discussion on the various considerations between licensing, mergers and asset deals including in-house counsel.  The panelists will discuss benefits and drawbacks of each type of deal, personal experiences and lessons learned in negotiating each deal type.

SPEAKERS:
Kristen O.Riemenschneider, Partner, Freshfields
Jake A. Silvers, Senior Associate, Freshfields
Madeleine Tavcar, Senior Associate, Freshfields
Ali Muffenbier, Associate – Finance, Freshfields
Siddharth Kishore Ph.D., Business Development & Acquisitions, AbbVie
Frank Freeman, Counsel, Eli Lilly
 

1:45pm-2:45pm | KEKER VAN NEST & PETERS
Trade Secrets in the Life Sciences: Litigation Strategies for a High-Stakes Industry

Trade secret disputes in the life sciences industry are uniquely complex and uniquely consequential. From biologics manufacturing processes and analytical methods to regulatory strategies and negative know-how, proprietary information often sits at the core of competitive advantage. When misappropriation is suspected, companies must move quickly and strategically. This litigation-focused CLE examines how courts evaluate trade secret claims in the life sciences context, with practical guidance on trade secret identification, satisfying “reasonable efforts” requirements, pursuing preliminary injunctions, and proving head-start or unjust enrichment damages. We will also address modern challenges posed by cloud platforms, employee mobility, and AI tools. This program provides actionable strategies to protect critical innovations and prevail in high-stakes trade secret disputes.

SPEAKERS:
Laurie Carr Mims, Managing Partner, Keker Van Nest & Peters
Cody S. Harris, Partner, Keker Van Nest & Peters
 

CLICK ON THE LINKS ABOVE TO REGISTER.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 LIFE SCIENCE CONFERENCE SPONSORS!

About the Program

Join us for an informative webinar, in this presentation, Mr. Mann provides a review of the brain chemistry of addiction and alcoholism, as well as a discussion of the behavioral and health consequences of the disease. Insights are offered into the personality traits of attorneys and the qualities of the legal profession that combine to make lawyers significantly more susceptible to addiction, and more difficult to treat, than the general population. The presentation includes a case study of an addict attorney, as well as a self-diagnosis exercise for attorneys to utilize if they are concerned that they may have a problem which needs to be addressed. Concluding remarks are directed towards both systemic and individual solutions to the problem, with references to specific strategies and resources available to attorneys. Mr. Mann approaches this very serious topic in a manner that incorporates humor and irony and invites attorneys to engage in a bit of sometimes much-needed self-reflection.

Join Zoom Meeting:  https://meetsutter.zoom.us/j/93332423768?pwd=X3KkLDjIrIQjJ9jkWapwugEFmUapr6.1

ACC California Demo Day 2026 is a choose-your-own agenda showcase of legal technology and services—featuring nine 30-minute demos in one day. Each session is designed to be fast, practical, and product-forward, giving in-house counsel and legal ops professionals a high-efficiency way to evaluate solutions and compare vendors.

This year’s lineup includes Cobblestone Software, LinkSquares, GC AI, Exterro, Ironclad, Syllo, Latitude Legal, Lineal and Elevate spanning contract lifecycle management and contracting workflows, AI-enabled legal tools, eDiscovery/investigations, and flexible legal resourcing.

No need to attend all day. Register once, then drop in for the demos that are most relevant to you—attend one session or several, and build your schedule around your priorities.

AGENDA:

Thank you to our Sponsors:

Join us for an informative webinar, presented in partnership with the Association of Corporate Counsel's Sacramento chapter, as our attorneys walk you through California's new AB 692 law, which went into effect January 1, 2026. We'll provide practical advice and strategies to avoid common pitfalls under the new law, helping your organization stay compliant and minimize risk. 

·     AB 692 Bans Many "Stay-or-Pay" Provisions Starting January 1, 2026

·     Scope of Coverage and Consequences for Non-Compliance

·     Narrow Exceptions for Certain Repayment Agreements

·     Practical Steps to Take Now

Employers with California-based workers will not want to miss this webinar and the opportunity to hear practical insights on managing risk and preparing for these sweeping changes. 

Registration Link:  Please register in advance:  https://meetsutter.zoom.us/meeting/register/hXrjsIhPRLSffqYXl2CvDA

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://meetsutter.zoom.us/j/96029005777?pwd=NbsXUoNzo6ysmpmKUcxv6iLvF4AvTd.1

Meeting ID: 960 2900 5777

Password: 508557

Join us March 10-12, 2026. All in-house counsel welcome!

All in-house counsel are invited to participate in up to 8 hours of virtual California CLE programming, an in-person networking reception, lunch delivery for members across the U.S. and more!  Discover new and timely legal updates pertaining to the Life Sciences industry both at home and across the globe.

Step 1: Life Sciences Social
Register March 10
5:30pm – 7:30pm In-Person Social @ Chandlery At The Shore, Brisbane, CA

Step 2: CLEs
Register March 11
9:30am – 2:45pm Virtual

Step 3: CLEs
Register March 12
9:30am – 2:45pm Virtual
 

TUESDAY, MARCH 11 - IN-PERSON SOCIAL
5:30pm-7:30pm | LIFE SCIENCES SOCIAL

REGISTER NOW
 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 - VIRTUAL

9:30am-10:30am | FINNEGAN
Legal Ethics in Life Sciences IP: Managing Conflicts, Confidentiality, and Compliance

Please join Finnegan in discussing some of the most pressing ethical considerations for Life Sciences attorneys today, including: 
1) Managing Conflicts of Interest
2) Ethical Duties in Protecting Confidential Information and Trade Secrets
3) Ensuring Accuracy, Integrity, and Candor in Patent Prosecution

SPEAKERS:
Jeffrey D. Smyth,, Partner, Finnegan
Briana Barron Vice President, Intellectual Property, Arcus Biosciences
Deborah Winokur, Associate General Counsel, Cozen O'Connor
Catherine Maresh, Chief Legal Counsel, DeepSight Technology 

10:45am-11:45am | NEWFRONT
Managing FDA Uncertainty as Enterprise Risk: Governance, Disclosure & Insurance Strategies for Life Sciences Legal Leaders

FDA decisions don’t happen in a vacuum; they ripple across the organization. Approval delays, shifting regulatory interpretations, and enforcement uncertainty can quickly translate into disclosure challenges, stock volatility, securities litigation, and board-level scrutiny.

This session will explore how legal leaders can treat FDA uncertainty as an enterprise risk and proactively manage related governance, disclosure, and D&O exposure. Through perspectives from in-house leadership, outside counsel, and insurance specialists, the panel will share practical approaches to navigating regulatory uncertainty, aligning internal and external communications, and mitigating downstream legal and financial risk across the company lifecycle.

SPEAKERS:
Eric Long, EVP, Life Science Practice, Newfront 
Eric Tausend, SVP, Senior Director & West Regional ERS Leader, Newfront
Stephen Brady, Chairman of the Board, Tempest Therapeutics
Sonia Nath, Partner and Chair, Global Life Sciences & Healthcare Regulatory Practice, Cooley LLP
 

12:30pm-1:30pm | MORRISON FOERSTER
"Commercially Reasonable Efforts", "Arising IP" and Similar Clauses - How Precision in Contract Language Can Help Avoid Future Disputes

SPEAKER:
Matthew A. Chivvis, Partner, Morrison Foerster
Spencer Chen, VP & AGC Commercial, Healthcare Compliance and Privacy Officer, Karius, Inc.

1:45pm-2:45pm | SHOOK HARDY
Trends and Developments in Preemption in Life Sciences Litigation

SPEAKER:
Kevin Underhill, Partner, Shook Hardy
Shane B. Kolding, Associate, Shook Hardy
 

THURSDAY, MARCH 12 - VIRTUAL

9:30am-10:30am | PERKINS COIE
IP Strategies for Life Sciences and Med Tech in 2026: Court Decisions and Trends to Watch and Why They Matter

The panel will unpack the IP developments shaping life sciences and med tech in 2026. The panelists will spotlight pivotal court decisions, track enforcement trends, and distill actionable takeaways for portfolio strategy, risk mitigation, and litigation readiness. Specifically, the panel will cover:

High-stakes biopharma patent litigations, including the Supreme Court’s consideration of Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. v. Amarin Pharma, Inc., and its implications for “skinny labels” and induced infringement strategies, and the Federal Circuit’s recent REGENXBIO Inc. v. Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. decision on natural phenomenon and patent eligibility.
Medical devices and AI-based diagnostics, focusing on how courts are applying stricter Section 101 standards in tension with the USPTO’s more lenient guidance—and what that means for patent eligibility, drafting, and prosecution.
Broader enforcement trends, including a projected rise in NPE activity targeting medtech and expanding cross-border actions before the Unified Patent Court.

SPEAKERS:
Arpita Bhattacharyya Ph.D., Partner, Perkins Coie (moderator)
Andrew T. Dufresne, Partner, Perkins Coie
Eb Bright, President & GC, ExploraMed
Betsy Haanes, Senior Director IP, Altos Labs
 

10:45am-11:45am | REED SMITH
From Pharma to Produce: California’s Evolving Tort Terrain

SPEAKERS:
Sarah B. Johansen, Counsel, Reed Smith
Steven J. Boranian, Partner, Reed Smith
 

12:30pm-1:30pm | FRESHFIELDS
Life Sciences Deal Structures: Practical Considerations and Lessons Learned

Panel discussion on the various considerations between licensing, mergers and asset deals including in-house counsel.  The panelists will discuss benefits and drawbacks of each type of deal, personal experiences and lessons learned in negotiating each deal type.

SPEAKERS:
Kristen O.Riemenschneider, Partner, Freshfields
Jake A. Silvers, Senior Associate, Freshfields
Madeleine Tavcar, Senior Associate, Freshfields
Ali Muffenbier, Associate – Finance, Freshfields
Siddharth Kishore Ph.D., Business Development & Acquisitions, AbbVie
Frank Freeman, Counsel, Eli Lilly
 

1:45pm-2:45pm | KEKER VAN NEST & PETERS
Trade Secrets in the Life Sciences: Litigation Strategies for a High-Stakes Industry

Trade secret disputes in the life sciences industry are uniquely complex and uniquely consequential. From biologics manufacturing processes and analytical methods to regulatory strategies and negative know-how, proprietary information often sits at the core of competitive advantage. When misappropriation is suspected, companies must move quickly and strategically. This litigation-focused CLE examines how courts evaluate trade secret claims in the life sciences context, with practical guidance on trade secret identification, satisfying “reasonable efforts” requirements, pursuing preliminary injunctions, and proving head-start or unjust enrichment damages. We will also address modern challenges posed by cloud platforms, employee mobility, and AI tools. This program provides actionable strategies to protect critical innovations and prevail in high-stakes trade secret disputes.

SPEAKERS:
Laurie Carr Mims, Managing Partner, Keker Van Nest & Peters
Cody S. Harris, Partner, Keker Van Nest & Peters
 

CLICK ON THE LINKS ABOVE TO REGISTER.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 LIFE SCIENCE CONFERENCE SPONSORS!