ADR

Plans presentations on alternative dispute resolution in IP.

James M. Amend
JAMS
71 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 3090
Chicago, IL 60606
612-332-8225
[email protected]

James C. Munson
2550 N. Lakeview Avenue, #2302
Chicago, IL 60614
312-749-1942
[email protected]

Advertising and Internet

Plans presentations on legal issues relating to advertising and hot topics in the internet arena.

Anisha A. Mehta
K&L Gates LLP
70 West Madison Street, Suite 3300
Chicago, IL 60602
312-807-4227
[email protected]

Rachel Gartner
Amin Talati Upadhye, LLP
100 South Wacker Drive, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606
312-784-1071
[email protected]

Agents

Plans presentations and meetings on topics of interest to patent agents.

Jagriti Ritu Chander
Helix Patent Services LLC
1251 W. Leland Avenue, #1
Chicago, IL 60640
773-517-2552
[email protected]

Gerri E. Hutson Ph.D.
Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP
Two North LaSalle Street, Suite 1700
Chicago, IL 60602312-269-5328
[email protected]

AIA Trials Committee

Issues related to PTAB AIA trials.

Howard Levin
Haynes and Boone, LLP
180 N. LaSalle St.
Suite 2215
Chicago, IL 60601
312-216-1625
[email protected]

Marshall J. Schmitt
Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
River Point
444 West Lake Street, Suite 3200
Chicago, IL 60606
312-596-5828
[email protected]

Appointment

Assists IPLAC in promoting IP attorneys for judicial and other governmental openings.

Patrick Burns
Greer, Burns & Crain, Ltd.
300 S. Wacker Dr., Suite 2500
Chicago, IL 60606
312-987-4001
[email protected]

Dr. E. Kate Berezutskaya
Greer, Burns & Crain, Ltd.
300 S. Wacker Dr., Suite 2500
Chicago, IL 60606
312-987-2916
[email protected]

Biotechnology

Plans meetings on biotechnology topics of interest.

Adam Wolek
Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP
111 East Wacker, Suite 2800
Chicago, IL 60601
312-836-4063
[email protected]

Laura Labeots
Lathrop Gage LLC
155 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 3000
Chicago, IL 60606
312-920-3357
[email protected]

CLE

Assists IPLAC in tracking CLE credit awarded for IPLAC programs.

Kenny Matuszewski
708-870-5803
[email protected]

Daniel C. Roth
McCracken & Gillen LLC
1315 West 22nd Street, Suite 225
Oak Brook, Illinois 60523
630-286-7634
[email protected]

Copyright

Plans meetings on copyright topics of interest.

Rachel Vorbeck
TottisLaw
One East Wacker Drive, Suite 1205
Chicago, IL 60601
312-527-1447
[email protected]

Daniel Bond
Kirkland & Ellis
300 North LaSalle
Chicago, IL 60654
312-862-7026
[email protected]

Corporate

Plans meetings and presentations on topics of interest to IP attorneys working in corporate law departments. Members of this committee are limited to corporate practitioners.

Mary Schnurr
Ardagh Metal Beverage USA Inc.
8770 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue
Chicago, IL 60631
773-399-3604
[email protected]

George Jonas
BP America, Inc.
150 W. Warrenville Road, MC 200-1W
Naperville, IL 60563
832-619-4248
[email protected]

Billie Hinnen
Sram, LLC
1000 West Fulton Market, 4th Floor
Chicago, IL 60607
312-664-8800 x 1324
[email protected]

Creator of the Year

Solicits nominations for an award presented to a person or organization for a significant or unique creating in any aspect of IP.

Vangelis Economou
Director, Patent Clinic
The John Marshall Law School
315 S. Plymouth Court, Suite 110
Chicago, IL 60604
847-644-3500
[email protected]

Daniel M. Gurfinkel
Dennemeyer & Associates, LLC.
2 North Riverside Plaza, Suite 1500
Chicago, IL 60606
312-380-6504
[email protected]

Dinner (Judges and Annual)

Plans the IPLAC Annual Dinner in May and the Annual Dinner Honoring the Federal Judiciary.

Janet Pioli
Brinks Gilson & Lione
NBC Tower, Suite 3600
455 N. Cityfront Plaza Drive
Chicago, IL 60611
312-321-4725
[email protected]

Alisa Simmons
Fitch Even Tabin & Flannery LLP
120 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60603
312-629-7947
[email protected]

Diversity and Inclusion Committee

The D&I Committee promotes diversity and inclusion within IPLAC itself and the Chicago IP Community at-large through several different ways that include: (i) providing D&I CLE programming for the Chicago IP Community; (ii) providing outreach to diverse student groups in both law school and undergraduate programs within the Chicago area; (iii) providing opportunities for mentorship and sponsorship for diverse attorneys; and (iv) assessing opportunities for improving diversity in different aspects of the Chicago IP Community and formulating strategies with partners to improve diversity in such areas. The D&I Committee welcomes input from any and all IPLAC members in assisting in its mission.

Atanu Das
Guntin & Gust
773-231-6291
[email protected]

Everado Vergara
[email protected]

Ethics and Grievances

Per the by-laws, this committee consists of the President, President-Elect, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Field Day

Plans the golf tournament and other events for IPLAC’s Annual Field Day.

Brian A. Verbus
KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP
300 North LaSalle
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 862-3775 
[email protected]

Evan Kline-Wedeen
Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery LLP
120 South LaSalle Street
Suite 2100
Chicago, Illinois  60603
(312) 629-7972
[email protected]  

Foundation Liaison

Liaises between IPLAC Educational Foundation and IPLAC leadership and Board.

Alisa Simmons
Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery
120 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60603
312-629-7947
[email protected]

Historian Records

Assists IPLAC in managing the historical records of the organization.

Joseph Nabor
Fitch Even Tabin & Flannery
120 S. LaSalle Street
Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60603
312-577-7700
[email protected]

Alisa C. Simmons
Fitch Even Tabin & Flannery LLP
120 S. LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL 60603
312-629-7947
[email protected]

International Relations 
Committee

Focuses on IPLAC’s international presence. Seeks, addresses, and facilitates opportunities for members to liaise concerning IP with representatives of bar associations and governmental offices outside the U.S.

Loeb & Loeb LLP
321 North Clark Street
Suite 2300
Chicago, IL 60654
312-464-3152
[email protected]

Patrick G. Burns
Greer, Burns & Crain, Ltd.
300 S. Wacker Dr.
Suite 2500
Chicago, IL 60606
312-360-0080
[email protected]

Tron Fu
Steptoe & Johnson LLP
115 South LaSalle Street
Suite 3100
Chicago, IL 60603
312-577-1257
[email protected]

Law School Outreach

Plans programming for the local law school students. Promotes camaraderie with the law schools.

Professor Cynthia Ho
Loyola University School of Law
25 E. Pearson St.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-915-7148
[email protected]

Professor David L. Schwartz
Northwestern University School of Law
375 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611-3069
312-503-2646
[email protected]

Liaison to Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court Competition

Coordinates with Midwest Regional planning committee to host moot court competition and recruit volunteer bailiffs.

Brent Hawkins
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
One Market, Spear Street Tower
San Francisco, CA 94105
415-442-1449
[email protected]

Alisa Simmons
Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery LLP
120 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60603
312-629-7947
[email protected]

Litigation

Plans seminars on issues relating to IP litigation.

James Conte
Ladas & Parry LLP
224 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60604
312-427-1300
[email protected]

Ken Adamo
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
300 N. LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL 60654
312-862-2671
[email protected]

Litigation: Amicus Committee

Tracks and identifies amicus opportunities and proposes and prepares amicus briefs to be submitted by IPLAC.

Bob Resis
Banner & Witcoff
Ten S. Wacker Dr.
Chicago, IL 60606
312-463-5000
[email protected]

Margaret M. Duncan
McDermott Will & Emery LLP
444 W. Lake Street, Suite 4000
Chicago, IL 60606
312-372-2000
[email protected]

Litigation: Claim Construction Committee

Prepares annual book and update on recent cases involving claim construction issues.

Edward Manzo
Husch Blackwell LLP
120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2200
Chicago, IL 60606
312-526-1535
[email protected]

Kevin E. Noonan, Ph.D.
McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert &
Berghoff LLP
300 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606-6709
312-913-2145
[email protected]

Membership

Develops plans for recruiting and retaining IPLAC members, evaluates applications for membership in IPLAC, and plans a reception for new members and committee chairs.

Luke Curran (chair since 2017-04)
Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
227 W. Monroe Street, Suite 3850
Chicago, IL 60606
312-837-4326
[email protected]

Eric Maiers (chair since 2017-04)
Greenberg Traurig
77 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60601
312-456-1036
[email protected]

Kenny Matuszewski
708-870-5803
[email protected]

Paralegal

Plans presentations and meetings on topics of interest to paralegals. Plans networking and social events for members.

Cindi Schermerhorn
Astellas US LLC
1 Astellas Way
Northbrook, IL 60062
224-205-6318
[email protected]

Abby Lenz
Neal & McDevitt
1776 Ash Street
Northfield, IL 60093
847-441-9100
[email protected]

Patents - International

Plans presentations on the patent laws of various countries and/or international treaties.

John S. Paniaguas
Clark Hill PLC
150 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2700
Chicago, IL 60601
312-985-5559
[email protected]

Joshua D. Sarnoff
DePaul University
25 E. Jackson
Chicago, IL 60604
312-362-6326
[email protected]

Patents - U.S.

Sponsors presentations on changes in U.S. patent law and procedures and regulations at USPTO. Also recommends to IPLAC leadership and board on whether IPLAC should take action on proposed legislation and regulation.

Jeffrey A. Chelstrom
Honigman Miller Schwartz & Cohn LLP
1 S. Wacker Drive, 28th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
312-701-9300
[email protected]

Reid Huefner
Irwin IP LLC
1333 Burr Ridge Pkwy, Suite 200
Burr Ridge, IL 60527
630-756-3103
[email protected]

Public Relations-Newsletter

Prepares the IPLAC newsletter for distribution to all members. Assists the organization in promoting IPLAC programs, events & activities.

Ela Baio
Nixon Peabody LLP
70 W. Madison Street, Suite 3500
Chicago, IL 60602
312-425-8684
[email protected]

Public Relations-Social Networking

Assists IPLAC in using social media as a tool to communicate with our members and other IP practitioners.

Bradley M. Taub
Nixon Peabody
70 W. Madison Street, Suite 3500
Chicago, IL 60602
312-425-8563
[email protected]

Angelo Christopher
Nixon Peabody LLP
70 West Madison, Suite 3500
Chicago, IL 60602
312-977-4391
[email protected]

Symposium

Plans and sponsors annual patent seminar on developments in patent law.

Jared E. Hedman
Irwin IP
1333 Burr Ridge Pkwy, Suite 200
Burr Ridge, IL 60527
630-756-3102
[email protected]

Chris Eggert
Irwin IP
1333 Burr Ridge Pkwy, Suite 200
Burr Ridge, IL 60527
312-667-6095
ceggert@irwinip.com

George Jonas
BP America, Inc.
150 W. Warrenville Road, MC 200-1W
Naperville, IL 60563
832-619-4248
[email protected]

Trade Secrets & Unfair Competition

Sponsors an annual in-depth seminar on new developments in trade secret and unfair competition.

Sherry Rollo
Hahn Loeser
125 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 2900
Chicago, IL 60606
312-637-3020
[email protected]

R. Mark Halligan
FisherBroyles, LLP
203 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2100
Chicago, IL 60601
630.200.0701
[email protected]

Trademarks & Anti-Counterfeiting

Plans and hosts presentations on changes in U.S. trademark law and procedures and regulations at USPTO. Also recommends to IPLAC leadership and board on whether IPLAC should take action on proposed legislation and regulation.

Anna King
Banner & Witcoff, Ltd
10 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 3000
Chicago, IL 60606-7407
312-463-5000
[email protected]

Melaina Jobs
Loeb & Loeb
321 N. Clark Street, Suite 2300
Chicago, IL 60654
312-464-3139
[email protected]

Website

Assists the organization in maintaining the IPLAC website (www.IPLAC.org), emailing communications to membership, and planning website improvements.

Marc Trachtenberg
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
77 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 3100
Chicago, IL 60601
312-456-1020
[email protected]

Brian Barnes
CIBC Bank USA
70 West Madison
Chicago, IL 60602
312-953-0322
[email protected]

Cindi Schermerhorn
Astellas US LLC
1 Astellas Way
Northbrook, IL 60062
224-205-6318
[email protected]

Women in IP

Plans and hosts programs and meetings of interest to women IP practitioners. Hosts annual judicial panel and progressive networking dinner.

Libby O'Neill
Loeb & Loeb
321 North Clark Street, Suite 2300
Chicago, IL 60654
312-464-3149
[email protected]

RiKaleigh Johnson
Greer Burns & Crain
300 S. Wacker, Suite 2500
Chicago, IL 60606
312-987-2925
[email protected]

Young Members

Plans networking and social events targeted to younger (and young at heart) members.

Andrew Wood
Fitch Even Tabin & Flannery
120 S. LaSalle Street
Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60603
312-577-7000
[email protected]

Justin DeAngelis
Quarles & Brady LLP
300 N LaSalle St, Suite 4000
Chicago, IL 60654
312-715-5168 [email protected]

Rachel Miller
[email protected]

Prateek Peereddy
Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
River Point
444 West Lake Street
Suite 3200
Chicago, IL 60606
312-596-5811
[email protected]