The 9th annual IPOwners Spring Summit™ is a one-day conference organized by the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO). Scheduled for Thursday, March 19, 2026, with an evening welcome reception on Wednesday, March 18, the event is tailored for mid to senior-level intellectual property attorneys. It focuses on topics directly relevant to in-house counsel while providing outside counsel with insights to enhance client relationships and productivity.
Key sessions include discussions on how jurisdictions' primary remedies, such as damages and injunctions, incentivize innovation and investment. Another session addresses the confidentiality of on-sale products, comparing the prior art effect in Europe, the U.S., and Asia. Additionally, there will be a panel on strategies for avoiding disputes related to employees, contractors, trade secrets, and derivations, offering best practices for preventing misappropriation and clarifying IP ownership.
The summit offers ample networking opportunities, including a welcome reception on March 18, breakfast, breaks, lunch, and a closing reception on March 19. Notable speakers include Valencia Martin-Wallace, Acting Commissioner for Patents at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and Dan Vavonese, Acting Commissioner for Trademarks at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, who will participate in a fireside chat during the welcome remarks.
This event is ideal for mid to senior-level IP attorneys seeking to stay abreast of current trends and challenges in intellectual property law. Attendees will gain valuable insights into global IP strategies, legal developments, and best practices, making it a must-attend for professionals aiming to enhance their expertise and network within the IP community.
Speakers(15)
Betsy Fenske
HP Inc.
Betsy Fenske is associated with HP Inc.
Dan Vavonese
Acting Commissioner for Trademarks at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Dan Vavonese is the Acting Commissioner for Trademarks at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
David Roadcap
Amgen, Inc.
David Roadcap is associated with Amgen, Inc.
Heidi Nadel
HP Inc.
Heidi Nadel is associated with HP Inc.
Jeffrey Totten
Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP
Jeffrey Totten is associated with Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP.
Jeremy Younkin
Foley Hoag LLP
Jeremy Younkin is associated with Foley Hoag LLP.
John Cheek
Vice President & Chief Intellectual Property Counsel at Tenneco LLC
John Cheek serves as Vice President and Chief Intellectual Property Counsel at Tenneco LLC and is the President of the Intellectual Property Owners Association.
Kirby Lee
Ecolab Inc.
Kirby Lee is associated with Ecolab Inc.
Michael Oblon
Jones Day
Michael Oblon is associated with Jones Day.
Rachael Rodman
Thompson Hine LLP
Rachael Rodman is associated with Thompson Hine LLP.
Rasmus Jørgensen
NERA Economic Consulting
Rasmus Jørgensen is associated with NERA Economic Consulting.
Steve Benjamin
DuPont
Steve Benjamin is associated with DuPont.
Tom Turner
Abel + Imray
Tom Turner is associated with Abel + Imray.
Valencia Martin-Wallace
Acting Commissioner for Patents at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Valencia Martin-Wallace is the Acting Commissioner for Patents at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Yen T. Florczak
3M Innovative Properties Co.
Yen Florczak is associated with 3M Innovative Properties Co.
Event Details
- Date
- March 19, 2026
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Washington, D.C., United States
- The Westin DC Downtown
- Pricing
- $350 - $1,400
- Audience
- Mid to senior-level intellectual property attorneys
- CLE Credits
- 5-7 CLE credit hours, including 1 hour of ethics