Schedule of Events

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.