Emerging Ethical Issues Confronting IP Lawyers
The "Emerging Ethical Issues Confronting IP Lawyers" webinar, organized by the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO), was recorded on November 6, 2025. This session is designed to provide intellectual property attorneys with insights into recent case law from various jurisdictions and tribunals, focusing on legal ethics issues pertinent to both outside and in-house counsel.
Key topics covered in the webinar include identifying ethical issues in patent practice through case law analysis, mitigating potential risks associated with these issues, proactively avoiding conflicts of interest, and understanding recent jurisprudence on matters such as inequitable conduct.
The webinar features esteemed speakers: Kirby Lee, Assistant Chief IP Counsel at Ecolab Inc.; Sanjay Murthy, Shareholder at McAndrews, Held & Malloy, Ltd.; and Ben Searle, Director of IP at HP Inc. Their combined expertise offers attendees a comprehensive understanding of the ethical challenges faced by IP lawyers today.
This session is particularly beneficial for intellectual property attorneys seeking to stay informed about evolving ethical standards and best practices in the field. Participants will gain practical knowledge to navigate complex ethical scenarios in their professional practice.
Speakers(3)
Ben Searle
Director of IP at HP, Inc.
Ben Searle is a director of intellectual property at HP Inc. and supports HP’s printing, microfluidics, and incubation businesses. In this role, Ben leads a worldwide team of IP professionals responsible for managing HP’s patent portfolio and advising on a wide range of IP issues including patent rights, trade secrets, funding agreements, joint development agreements, and license agreements. Prior to joining HP, Ben spent several years in private practice where he primarily focused on patent preparation, prosecution, and litigation. Ben is active in the IP community and currently serves as the Co-Chair of the IPO United States Patent Office Practice Committee.
Kirby Lee
Assistant Chief IP Counsel at Ecolab Inc.
Kirby Lee is assistant chief IP counsel at Ecolab, a global leader in water, hygiene, and energy technologies and services. Kirby previously worked at the Department of Justice and the White House, representing the U.S. government in intellectual property litigation and serving as a senior policy advisor to the IP Enforcement Coordinator. He also served as a clerk to the Hon. Alan Lourie of the Federal Circuit. Kirby is co-chair of the IPO litigation committee.
Sanjay Murthy
Shareholder at McAndrews, Held & Malloy, Ltd.
Sanjay Murthy is a nationally recognized trial attorney who has been involved in more than 15 trials. He has deep experience representing leading life science and technology companies in federal district courts, before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and in Section 337 investigations in the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). In addition to an active litigation practice, he manages patent portfolios for several leading pharmaceutical and medical device companies. He also leverages his trial experience to assist his clients with freedom-to-operate matters, due diligence investigations, patent portfolio audits, and licensing and collaboration transactions.
Event Details
- Date
- November 6, 2025
- Location
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Pricing
- Free for members; $150 for non-members
- Audience
- Intellectual property attorneys, both outside and in-house counsel.
- CLE Credits
- Up to 1.00 CLE ethics credit available in certain jurisdictions.