Intellectual Property Conference for Legal Management Professionals
THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING #ALAIP23
ALA’s Intellectual Property Conference for Legal Management Professionals is the premier IP-focused forum for administrators working in a legal practice setting.
The intellectual property community met September 21–22, 2023 at the Omni Parker House Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts.
Please direct any additional questions about ALA’s Intellectual Property Conference for Legal Management Professionals to [email protected].
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
ALA thanks its business partners who were involved at ALA’s 2023 Intellectual Property Conference for Legal Management Professionals. If interested in future sponsorship opportunities, please contact [email protected].
THANK YOU TO OUR 2023 ALA IP SPONSORS
![](https://www.alanet.org/images/default-source/2023-events/ala-2023-annual-conference/legal-management-fundamentals/lawdocsreg.gif")
Sponsored in part by
Speakers
 Brian G. Aitchison Brian G. Aitchison has more than 30 years’ experience in IP prosecution. Aitchison has a deep background in IP operations and understands the combined utilization of people, process and technology to maximize process efficiency, mitigate risk and provide stellar service to clients. He has experience in providing services related to assessments of IP operations, recommendations for process improvements and the implementation of IP software and automation. |  Daniel W. Auer Daniel W. Auer is Firm Administrator at Hauptman Ham, LLP, an intellectual
property firm. In this capacity, he is responsible for managing the overall administration and operations
of the firm, including supervising all staff who don’t practice law. Prior to joining Hauptman Ham, Auer
was a federal agent for over 33 years, serving in senior leadership positions since November 2001. His
final assignment before retiring from federal service was Chief of the Leadership Training Division for
the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) within the Department of Homeland Security. In this
role, he was the Senior Manager responsible for the overall development, delivery and administration of
the FLETC’s leadership training programs and research. |
 Coalton S. Bennett, Ph.D. Coalton Bennett is a senior patent agent at McCarter & English. He has eleven years of patent prosecution and counseling experience. Over the course of his career, he has prosecuted applications both domestically and internationally for large high-tech companies as well as large pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Prior to his career as a patent agent, Coalton was a member of the Technical staff at MIT Lincoln Laboratory. Before that he pursued his PhD in electrical engineering at Cornell University. |  Stacey A. L. Best, Esq. Stacey A. L. Best, Esq. is responsible for the strategic direction, daily operations and management of the staff of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers and Law Office Management Assistance Program (LOMAP). Best represents and participates with key stakeholders at various agencies and committees of the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC), including the SJC Standing Committee on Lawyer Well–Being, the Board of Bar Overseers (BBO) and the Standing Advisory Committee on Professionalism to improve the quality of the legal profession. Most recently, Best served as the Acting Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the BBO where she investigated alleged violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct and litigated all stages of the disciplinary proceedings including all appeals. |
 Micheal Binns, Esq. Micheal Binns, Esq., is Head of Patent Portfolio Strategy for Meta’s Patents & Trade Secrets. He chairs Meta’s Black@Legal affinity group, which focuses on ensuring an equitable experience for diverse employees in the legal department. He is a Founder and board member of ADAPT, a diversity, equity and inclusion collective; the board chair of Page Turners Make Great Learners in Atlanta; a board member on the National Council on Patent Practicum; and a trustee on the Foundation for Advancement of Diversity in IP Law. |  Ericka R. Brundage Ericka Brundage is Merchant & Gould’s Legal Assistant Support Manager and Diversity Committee Chair. She ensures procedures and processes are consistent, all attorney and non-attorney professionals are supported to provide excellent client service and facilitates a community of belonging in the workplace. She believes team collaboration and diversity of thought are the keys to success and strives toward increased diversity within Intellectual Property throughout the legal industry. |
 Christopher Burger Christopher Burger is a seasoned business executive with more than 15 years of experience in intellectual property (IP). Burger helps law firms across the United States better manage their patent and trademark prosecution operations groups. He is responsible for ensuring the successful delivery, implementation and use of Trexo Global products and services to customers and ensuring they address their business priorities. Before Trexo Global, Burger held various leadership positions spanning sales, business development, channel partnerships and customer success at companies, including CPA Global, Clarivate and Xerox. |  Richard Fernandez Richard Fernandez is an eMod Project Manager at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). In this role, Fernandez oversees the development of the new tool to replace EFS-Web and the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. He has extensive experience working with the Patent Electronic Business Center and currently serves as the manager of the entire call center. Fernandez received a bachelor’s degree in information systems from the University of Maryland Baltimore County in 2001 and started working at the USPTO in 2009. |
 James D. Hallenbeck, JD James D. Hallenbeck, JD, is President and Chief Executive Officer of Black Hills IP, LLC. A patent attorney with more than 20 years of experience, Hallenbeck focuses on patent portfolio construction and prosecution in various technology areas including complex computer software systems and intellectual property (IP) operations. He also worked as a software engineer and analyst, designing and developing global software systems supporting a wide range of industries including financial services, automotive and insurance. |  Joshua Hauser Joshua Hauser is the New Applications Manager at Harrity with more than 15 years of experience in the IP field. He is a founding member of the Patent Pathways Diversity Committee, chairs the Finance Subcommittee and has actively contributed toward shaping and developing the program since its inception. During his three-plus years with Harrity, he has been awarded the Firm Contributor Award, the Teamwork Core Value Award and created a Sustainable Solutions Green Committee at the firm to tackle pressing environmental issues. |
 Fiona Trevelyan Hornblower Fiona Trevelyan Hornblower provides leadership for the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) Foundation’s mission to improve the quality and delivery of legal services through research, education and the expansion of diversity within the legal profession. She has held numerous leadership positions in both national and local legal and recruiting organizations, including NALP and the American Bar Association (ABA). She regularly publishes and speaks on a wide variety of issues in the legal profession. |  Sherri Jarrell Sherri Jarrell has 28 years of legal experience with 16 of those concentrated in IP. She has experience as both an assistant on the admin side of the practice group and as a Paralegal in Patent and Trademark Prosecution as well as IP Litigation. In 2022, she joined Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP as the IP Practice Group Manager. |
 Bob Karau Bob Karau is a dynamic communicator who managed credit and collections for three national firms and a Fortune 500 Corporation. Karau is a contributing author to the 2019, 2020 and 2022 editions of the NACM Manual of Credit and Commercial Laws. He is also President of his local Credit and Financial Development Division (CFDD) of the National Association of Credit Management (NACM) and is a recipient of the CFDD Credit and Finance National Distinguished Member Achievement Award. |  Danny Katz Danny Katz is a dynamic legal operations leader with a diverse background in intellectual property (IP) law, cross-cultural communication and creative expression. With expertise in knowledge management, onboarding, mentorship and retention, Katz has spearheaded numerous projects, while fostering collaboration and driving efficiency in IP law. As a passionate advocate for inclusivity and diversity, he empowers legal professionals to unlock their full potential, navigate today's complex legal landscape and thrive in a global, interconnected environment. |
 Amanda R. Koplos, CLM, CPA Amanda Koplos, CLM, CPA, is the Executive Director for Central Florida-based Shuffield, Lowman and Wilson, PA. She has 18 years of experience in law firm management at firms of multiple sizes. Legal management isn’t just a career for her; it’s a passion. In support of that passion, Koplos has been active in ALA since 2005. She has held numerous positions at the local and international levels. In May 2023, she became President-Elect of the Association. |  Katlyn Lee Katlyn Lee joined the Patent Bots team in August 2022 as the Customer Success Manager. Previously, Lee was the Operations Manager for Edell, Shapiro & Finnan, an intellectual property law firm. In that role, she acted as the firm's primary point of contact for technology-related decisions. She has more than 10 years of experience helping law firms understand their needs, recognize the importance of technology choices on their daily operations, and streamline their legal technology platforms to achieve optimal productivity and customer satisfaction. |
 Ann McCrackin Ann McCrackin is a contractor with Patent Bots and an Adjunct Law Professor with the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law. Previously, McCrackin was the President of Black Hills IP. She is a legal automation, intellectual property operations and IP docketing process expert and a patent attorney with extensive experience in both domestic and international patent prosecution. McCrackin was a Professor of Law and the Director of the nationally recognized Patent Prosecution and Procedure Program at Franklin Pierce Law Center (now the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law). At Franklin Pierce, she directed the program and taught courses in advanced aspects of practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. |  Miranda Mitchell Miranda Mitchell has 11 years of experience in IP and is the Patent Practice Supervisor at Dechert LLP. She started her career as an assistant and worked her way up to a paralegal. She has extensive U.S. and foreign prosecution experience/knowledge. She currently oversees the day-to-day operations, training, and staffing for the paralegal team at Dechert. |
 Vaveca Moss, MHRM, SHRM-SCP, DDI Vaveca Moss, MHRM, SHRM-SCP, DDI, is an executive with over 29 years of leadership experience in human resources. Moss is the Director of Employee Relations and Talent Acquisition at Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP. With a master’s and bachelor’s degree in human resources management and organization development, she is a strategy-driven executive with a passion for people. |  Tina Powers Tina Powers has more than 20 years of experience in IP and is the Manager of IP Operations for Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. Powers is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the IP practice, including staffing, technical solutions and outsourcing projects. She has worked in various roles within IP, including Chief Operating Officer of the Dennemeyer North American offices. |
 Kimberly Williams |
Thursday, September 21, 2023
8 a.m.
Registration Opens
Location/Room: Alcott Foyer
8–8:30 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
Location/Room: Alcott Foyer
| Amanda R. Koplos, CLM, CPA Executive Director Shuffield Lowman & Wilson, PA |
On a daily basis, leaders and managers are confronted with myriad decisions of varying complexity and scope. Additionally, most organizational priorities and programs have intersecting, overlapping and/or nexus goals and objectives. Since organizational resources are typically limited, it is incumbent upon leadership and management to be efficient and effective in their application to avoid redundancy and waste while maximizing desired outcomes. This session will explore strategies and tools to overcome these challenges within a single, purposeful and user-friendly process.
Objectives:
- Prepare a personalized strategy for using engaged leadership — while avoiding micromanagement — to maximize organizational goals and objectives.
- Develop skill sets to not only “see the big picture” but develop or enhance their ability to “see around corners” at all phases of a project.
- Develop the ability to recognize and address unasked but important questions.
- Support completed staff work outcomes with little to no questions.
LI-LEGAL INDUSTRY/BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
CLM®Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Organizational Development
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Legal Industry/Business Management (LI) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Legal Industry/Business Management (LI)
SHRM: 1.0 PDC
| Daniel W. Auer Firm Administrator Hauptman Ham, LLP |
9:45–10:15 a.m.
Networking Break
Location/Room: Alcott Foyer
Sponsored in part by
This session will provide an overview of Patent Center, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's tool for electronic filing and management of patent applications. Patent Center will replace EFS-Web and PAIR and features a unified interface, with all the capabilities from today's tools in a single place. This part of the session will cover how to file and view applications with an emphasis on filing in DOCX and the management tools available.
Objectives:
- Explain the Patent Center process for filing and viewing submitted applications.
- Discover the advantages of filing in DOCX and how to file in it.
- Experiment with the training mode in Patent Center.
OM- OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
CLM®Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Information Technology
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Operations Management (OM) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Operations Management (OM)
| Kimberly Williams Supervisory Patent Information Technology Specialist United States Patent and Trademark Office | Richard Fernandez eMod Project Manager United States Patent and Trademark Office |
Discover valuable insights and strategies for crafting effective documentation systems. You’ll learn how to leverage knowledge management to optimize processes, mitigate risk and enhance collaboration within your team. Don’t miss this refreshing outlook on developing a well-organized documentation framework tailored to the specific demands of IP law. This session is a must if you’re seeking to elevate your knowledge management practices and foster a more efficient work environment.
Objectives:
- Recognize the importance of knowledge management in IP law and its impact on effective legal management.
- Apply key strategies and best practices for building, organizing and maintaining comprehensive documentation systems.
- Employ and leverage technology and collaborative tools to enhance information sharing, reduce duplication and streamline work processes.
- Develop methods for fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous learning within your legal team.
OM- OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
CLM®Application Credit: 1hour(s) of Information Technology
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Operations Management (OM) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Operations Management (OM)
SHRM: 1.0 PDC
| Danny Katz Legal Operations Lead Seed IP |
12:30–1:30 p.m.
Lunch
Location/Room: Rooftop Ballroom, 15th Floor
Get practical guidance — specifically for IP professionals — on how your firm can recruit and retain top IP talent in the new now. You’ll explore the latest tactics, trends, strategies and roadblocks for recruiting/retention and evaluate the theory that attracting and retaining top talent is driven by compensation. Discover the top desires for employees and job seekers and learn principles you can apply right away.
Objectives:
- Identify roadblocks within your organization that are impacting your recruiting strategy for IP professionals.
- Explain why top IP talent is leaving in record numbers and what can be done to stop them.
- Employ strategies and tactics for becoming more attractive to job seekers and current employers.
- Generate a plan for executing the strategies you learn.
HR-HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
CLM®Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Organizational Development
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR)
SHRM: 1.0 PDC
| Vaveca Moss, MHRM, SHRM-SCP, DDI Director of Employee Relations, Talent Acquisition Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP |
2:45–3:15 p.m.
Networking Break
Location/Room: Alcott Foyer
Sponsored in part by
Co-develop solutions to common challenges by leveraging the shared experiences and collective knowledge of your industry peers. ALA’s Idea Exchange enables participants to network extensively, discuss, debate and dissect best practices and topical issues within legal administration.
Hear a panel discussion of how to successfully manage your patent and trademark prosecution operation without burning out your staff. If you’re struggling to find, hire, train and retain valuable staff members, don’t miss this session. You’ll learn how to assess how your IP operation is managed, reallocate who does what within your firm, turn staff generalists who cover several tasks into specialists who manage one task, decide if a third-party service provider can remove some work off your team’s plate, streamline processes with technology and more.
HR-HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
CLM®Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Organizational Development
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR)
Moderator:
Christopher Burger Executive Vice President of Customer Service Trexo Global |
Panelists:
Brian G. Aitchison Director of Intellectual Property Operations Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP | Sherri Jarrell IP Practice Group Manager Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP |
| Miranda Mitchell Patent Practice Supervisor Dechert LLP | Tina Powers IP Operations Manager Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. |
5:30–7 p.m.
Networking Reception
Location/Room: Alcott Foyer
Friday, September 22, 2023
8 a.m.
Registration Opens
Location/Room: Alcott Foyer
8–8:45 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
Location/Room: Alcott Foyer
Soon, AI tools will be directly and indirectly incorporated into almost every task, from document retrieval to assisting in authoring legal documents. But, if you’re without an application programming interface (API) that allows you to integrate with other data and service providers, you won’t be able to meet data and service requirements clients will demand. Join this session to explore how to power your AI efforts with real-time matter data at the intellectual rallying points of legal expression. You’ll learn how to avoid unknowingly incurring opportunity costs that are soon to appear on the bottom line. You’ll discover how open systems, automation, distributed services and high data and service flows will define the next generation of the IP back office. Gain the knowledge you need to enable future capabilities for delivering IP legal services and make informed technology, system and architecture decisions.
Objectives:
- Formulate technology decisions today that enable growth with evolving technology.
- Recognize the role AI can play today and in the future.
- Prepare to take advantage of future capabilities for delivering IP legal services.
- Explore how the practice of IP law is being transformed by automation and AI.
OM- OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
CLM®Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Information Technology
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Operations Management (OM) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Operations Management (OM)
SHRM: 1.0 PDC
| James D. Hallenbeck, JD President and Chief Executive Officer Black Hills IP, LLC |
9:45–10:15 a.m.
Networking Break
Location/Room: Alcott Foyer
Sponsored in part by
Learn how to identify and overcome hidden barriers to the automation of your processes and workflows. Working in small groups, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of key principles of successful automation initiatives, such as standardizing processes, adopting a cost-focused mindset, educating staff and questioning the necessity of certain manual processes. You’ll leave knowing how to implement automation initiatives that enhance efficiency, maximize return on investment, add real value and address opportunities you may have overlooked otherwise.
Objectives:
- Analyze scenarios to identify hidden barriers to successful automation initiatives.
- Identify strategies for overcoming common barriers to automation.
- Develop an action plan for applying the principles you learn to an automation initiative in your firm.
OM- OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
CLM®Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Information Technology
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Operations Management (OM) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Operations Management (OM)
SHRM: 1.0 PDC
| Ann McCrackin Advisor Patent Bots, Inc. | Katlyn Lee Customer Success Manager Patent Bots, Inc. |
When attorneys are impaired, it’s often the support personnel closest to them who are first aware of it. While attorneys have ethical obligations when they observe another attorney’s impairment, support personnel are often without guidance — and worse — sometimes think they are helping by covering up the problems out of loyalty. This session will highlight some of the common “red flags” that administrators may be among the first to notice and discuss strategies for overcoming discouraging self–talk and barriers to intervention and support. The session will also touch on resources for all members of the legal community who may be struggling with addiction or mental health concerns.
Objectives:
- Recognize some signs of addiction and mental health challenges.
- Receive guidance on how to approach someone facing addiction or a mental health challenge.
- Identify resources for facing addiction or a mental health challenge.
SHRM: 1.0 PDC
| Stacey A. L. Best, Esq. Executive Director Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, Inc. |
12:30–1:30 p.m.
Lunch
Location/Room: Rooftop Ballroom, 15th Floor
We invite you to a dynamic panel discussion that delves into the realm of pipeline programs available to IP law firms, specifically designed to support the recruitment of diverse candidates. This enlightening session aims to explore the various initiatives, partnerships and strategies IP law firms employ to foster a diverse talent pipeline and promote inclusivity within the legal profession.
Our distinguished panelists, comprising leaders from IP law firms, diversity and inclusion advocates and representatives from legal and professional organizations, will share their insights and experiences regarding current pipeline programs. Through a combination of real-life examples, success stories and practical advice, they will illuminate the multitude of opportunities and resources available for IP law firms seeking to attract and cultivate diverse talent. Join us as we explore the power of pipeline programs and collectively work toward bridging the gap in diversity representation within IP law firms, ultimately building a more inclusive and equitable legal community.
Objectives:
- Identify different pipeline programs that currently exist within the IP law industry, including internships, mentorship initiatives, educational partnerships and scholarship programs.
- Discuss the significant role pipeline programs play in addressing the underrepresentation of diverse candidates in IP law firms.
- Explore the positive impact of these programs on both the individuals involved and the firms themselves.
- Recognize the value of collaboration between IP law firms, legal associations, educational institutions and other stakeholders in creating robust and sustainable pipeline programs.
HR-HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
CLM®Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Organizational Development
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR)
SHRM: 1.0 PDC
Moderator:
| Ericka R. Brundage Legal Assistant Support Manager Merchant & Gould, PC |
Panelists:
| Micheal Binns, Esq. Head of Patents & Trade Secrets Meta | Joshua Hauser New Applications Manager and Chair of the Finance Subcommittee of Patent Pathways Harrity & Harrity LLP |
| Fiona Trevelyan Hornblower President and Chief Executive Officer The NALP Foundation | Coalton S. Bennett, Ph.D. Senior Patent Agent McCarter & English, LLP |
2:45–3:15 p.m.
Networking Break
Location/Room: Alcott Foyer
Sponsored in part by
As finance and credit professionals, our jobs are not just to keep the rudder straight but to steer our firm to safety during these challenging economic times. We must innovate or evaporate. Learn ways to “recession-proof” your firm to strive and thrive during tumultuous economic times.
Objectives:
- Discuss the importance of best practices along with thoughts on better knowing your client, due diligence at intake and proactive collection strategies.
- Analyze new risks and profitability reporting on clients.
- Prepare for additional risk mitigation for marginal clients and new uses of evergreen retainers.
- Recognize best practices for client incidents in pre-petition and post-petition bankruptcy.
FM-FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
CLM® Application Credit: 1hour(s) of Organizational Development
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Financial Management (FM) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Financial Management (FM)
SHRM: 1.0 PDC
| Bob Karau Credit and Collections Merchant & Gould P.C. |
4:15–4:30 p.m.
Final Q&A
Location/Room: Alcott Room
4:30 p.m.
Conference Concludes
Location/Room: Alcott Room
