Join fellow members of the IP Section of the State Bar of Georgia for a fun, simple and no-continuing-obligation pro bono opportunity on Thursday, April 16 at the Georgia PATENTS’ Intake Clinic assisting low-income inventors.

This clinic is limited to patent issues and will be held virtually from 1 – 5 p.m.  You can volunteer for a single one-hour session with an inventor or stay for multiple sessions. Prior to the clinic, Georgia PATENTS staff will provide all volunteer attorneys with information to conduct a conflict search as well as an easy to follow checklist/guide to use to during the client meeting. Session discussion will be limited to answering any general patent questions; exploring any patentability-related issues identified; and/or giving direction on the adequacy of the prior art search conducted by the inventor.  

This will be a quick, easy and gratifying way to satisfy some pro bono hours! You are encouraged to bring along your mentor or mentee for a collaborative experience. Please note, though, that you are not committed to any follow-up after the clinic, nor are you committed to represent the client going forward. 

Please email Clint South at southc@ballardspahr.com and Devan Knapp at devan.knapp@finnegan.com to volunteer and let us know the amount of time you are able to volunteer (and specific time-slots, if necessary). In order to assist in the scheduling, we ask that you let us know ASAP if you want to participate in this fabulous opportunity. 

Lastly, for those of you perhaps unfamiliar with the program, Georgia PATENTS matches under-resourced inventors in Georgia with volunteer pro bono patent practitioners to assist in the filing of a patent application. Further information may be found at https://gapatents.org. The Patent Committee of the Intellectual Property Law Section State Bar of Georgia

Make plans now to join the Intellectual Property Law Section for its annual seminar.

Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Location: State Bar of Georgia (CLE) & The Glenn Hotel (Reception)
Time:  8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. — CLE program

Program Overview:

The Intellectual Property Law Section Conference offers a total of 6 CLE hours, on the following topics:

• Trade Secrets: Jury Selection in Trade Secrets Cases
  
  This program presents findings of a survey of jury eligible respondents in four top IP venues: Central District of California, Western District of Texas (Waco Division), the Eastern District of Texas (Marshal Division) and the District of Delaware. The survey focuses on attitudes toward conduct often associated with the theft of trade secrets. Special emphasis is given to the implications of the findings for jury selection.
  
  Speaker – Chad Lackey, Director, DOAR, Inc.
  
  
• Trademark: Trademark, Branding and Enforcement Challenges in 2026: An In-House Counsel Perspective
  
  Panelists – Auma Reggy, Managing Chief Counsel, Intellectual Property Digital & Data Assets Team, McKesson; Antigone Peyton, General Counsel, Spanx; Brent Radcliff, Associate General Counsel, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
  
• Patent: From Invention to Grant: The Influence of Artificial Intelligence on the Patent Process
  
  This program offers a discussion on the influences of the increasing presence of artificial intelligence on the patent process and will cover topics ranging from inventorship issues to drafting and prosecuting patent applications.
  
  Moderators – Devan Knapp, Associate, Finnegan; Clint South, Counsel, Ballard Spahr
  Speakers – Jason Chang, AVP Senior Legal Counsel of Intellectual Property at AT&T; Yuri Eliezer, CEO and co-founder of Junior; and Arti Rai, Elvin R. Latty Professor of Law at Duke University School of Law
  
  
• Copyright: Anatomy of a Catalog Deal
  
  Speaker: Paul Ogunmefun, CEO, Melodifi
  
  
• Ethics: Modern Intellectual Property Ethics: Candor, Confidentiality and Competence in the Age of AI — Insights from In-House Counsel
  
  This program will cover ethics and professional responsibility through the lens of in-house counsel, while focusing on ethical IP representation in today’s legal environment. The panel will also discuss communication standards, billing practices, conflicts of interest, candor and the responsible use of AI tools in intellectual property matters.
  
  Moderator – Justin Charles Ward, General Counsel, Blue Force Gear, Inc.
  Panelists – Andrew Strickland, General Counsel, Unirac, Inc.; Shaton Menzie, Counsel, Five Below, Inc., and Susanne Hollinger, General Counsel, Wellcome Leap, Inc.
  
  
• Professionalism: A View From the Bench: Balancing Zealous Advocacy With Civility In Complex Civil Litigation
  
  Moderators – Jason H. Cooper, Partner, The Sladkus Law Group; David Hricik, Professor of Law, Mercer University
  Panelists – Hon. Eleanor L. Ross; Hon. Michael L. Brown; Hon. Steven D. Grimberg; Hon. J. P. Boulee (USDC, Northern District of Georgia)
  
  

Registration Fees:
Section Members: $75
Non-Section Members: $100

This is a fantastic opportunity to earn 6 CLE hours (including ethics and professionalism credits), enjoy a light breakfast and lunch and network with colleagues over drinks and hors d’oeuvres at The Glenn Hotel.

Click here to register. When registering, please make sure to answer the questions regarding food allergies and the reception. Registration will close 3/23 at 12 noon.

The IP Section Kick-off Social at Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall on October 22, 2025 saw new and veteran Section members get together for fun conversations, great food, and drinks. What a wonderful evening to connect with fellow IP practitioners and get to know the Section’s offerings. Didn’t make it? No worries. You can still join the IP Section committee that best reflects your practice and get involved!