Letter from the Chair

• Publication year: 2019
• Author: Heather A. Antoine

Letter from the Chair

Heather A. Antoine

Stubbs, Alderton & Markiles LLP

Dear Fellow IP Law Section Members,

It is with great honor and excitement that I assume my role as Chair of the Intellectual Property Law Section. I began my tenure with the IP Section many years ago like many of you; I became a Section member, would read New Matter and our online publication, Inevitable Disclosures, and signed up for webinars that caught my eye. Then, in 2013 I attended my first IP Institute. I met so many wonderful colleagues that week in Berkeley, California. From that point on, I was hooked. I served first as Programming Chair then as Vice-Chair for the Technology, Internet, and Privacy Interest Group. I became an Executive Committee Member. I was honored to be chosen as chair for two conferences, Adults Only IP and Tips and Tricks for IP Practitioners, and to chair the 2018 DC Delegation. But I have never been more excited than I am right now.

By the time you read this letter, the 44th IP Institute, IP Without Borders, will have come to a close. This was a particularly exciting event for us! It was the first time the California Lawyers Association hosted a conference outside of California. However, the decision to move this year's conference to Las Vegas was more than symbolic. The practice of IP is always national, often international, and incredibly diverse. This diversity is reflected in our Interest Groups, which cover everything from trademarks to trade secrets, licensing to litigation, and patents to privacy. I have often said IP lawyers have the most fun!

As you know, the last few years were transitional. However, that time is over. The California Lawyers Association is flourishing, and the IP Section is here to focus on what is most important—you. We already have an exciting year in the works! 2020 marks the return of two of our biennial conferences, Copyright Office Comes to California and IP in Entertainment & Media, as well as our flagship annual IP Institute. We heard your requests and have added a Cannabis IP Law Interest Group. The Cannabis IP IG will provide education and networking opportunities in all areas of intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and copyrights, with a focus on the cannabis industry. The IP Section is proud to continue its tradition...