3RD AnnuaL
IP Dealmakers
Europe
Where IP Strategy, Disputes and Capital Converge
May 11-13, 2026
RoYAL garden hotel LONDON
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If you’d like to know as soon as more information is available, please join the Dealmakers email list below.
featured speakers
UK High Court
Ocado
Unified Patent Court
Amazon
HP
Umicore Group
Johnson Matthey
Resolution Therapeutics
Norwegian Green Solutions
IBM
Paragraf
Ceres Power
Orange
Cambridge Mechatronics
Amadeus
About The Event
For IP Leaders and Innovators
IP Dealmakers Europe brings together senior leaders to define the future of IP valuation, enforcement, and commercialisation. By focusing on execution over theory, we provide a deal-driven environment where corporate IP strategy intersects with institutional capital.
Co-located with 3rd Annual LF Dealmakers Europe, the forum brings the funders and investors deploying capital into complex disputes. The result is a uniquely connected, deal-driven ecosystem where strategy, execution, and capital actively intersect.
What’s Shaping The Agenda in 2026
New closed-door boardrooms: Designed for deeper, candid conversations
Pre-event workshop:
AI across the patent lifecycle
In-house strategy focus:
How IP teams are building and extracting value
Judicial panel:
Perspectives from the bench on complex disputes
Dedicated 1:1 meetings platform facilitating new partnership and business opportunities
Critical discussions on emerging trends, global market dynamics and in-house strategy.
Audience
A curated audience of carefully vetted senior decision-makers made of corporate IP leaders, investors, law firms and specialist advisors – the people you actually need to meet.
92percent
Overall networking was rated very good to excellent
90percent
Program quality was rated very good to excellent
88percent
1:1 Meetings were rated very good to excellent
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
Dealmakers by the numbers
250+
Decision
Makers
8+
Hours of dedicated networking
40
EXPERT
SPEAKERS
120+
one to one
meetings
sponsorship opportunities
Become a sponsor
2026 PRELIMINARY agenda
Get updates and inquire about sponsoring in 2026 below.
Get Updates
If you’d like to know as soon as more information is available, please join the Dealmakers email list below.
Please note: This event will be co-located with the 3rd Annual LF Dealmakers Europe. If you would like to attend sessions at both events, register with an all access ticket.
pre-day workshop: monday, may 11, 2026
AI ACROSS THE PATENT LIFECYCLE: FROM TOOLS TO STRATEGY
A peer-to-peer workshop on real use cases, gaps and the future of AI in IP
AI ACROSS THE PATENT LIFECYCLE: FROM TOOLS TO STRATEGY is a half-day, peer-to-peer workshop for IP leaders, practitioners and technology builders navigating the rapid adoption of AI in patent practice. Moving beyond pilots and product demos, the workshop focuses on how AI is actually being used across invention, search, drafting, portfolio management, monetisation and enforcement — where it is delivering value today, where it falls short, and what capabilities are still missing. Through candid panels and facilitated working groups, participants will compare real use cases, confront practical challenges, and help shape the next phase of AI-driven IP strategy.
What’s working, what’s failing, and what comes next across the patent lifecycle
Some IP teams are already using AI to make better decisions, move faster and extract more value across the patent lifecycle. Others are experimenting — or standing still. This session pulls back the curtain on what’s actually working today, where the gaps remain, and how leading organisations are positioning themselves for the next phase of AI-driven IP strategy.
Speakers:
- Charles Eldering, Founder, CAsE Analysis (moderator)
- Alexis Cheynel, IP Business Intelligence and Portfolio Manager, Orange
- Yann Dietrich, Group Head of IP, AI and Tech Regulations, Atos Group
- Alexandre Ribeil, Senior Manager, IP, Amadeus
- Claudia Ritter, VP, Digital IP and IP Operations, BASF
These facilitated, peer-to-peer working groups examine how AI is actually being deployed across the patent lifecycle — where it is delivering real value, where it falls short, and how teams are addressing capability gaps, governance challenges and barriers to adoption.
Participants will break into small discussion groups organised by areas of use across the patent lifecycle: invention and ideation; search, prior art and analytics; drafting and prosecution; portfolio management and strategy; monetisation, licensing and enforcement.
Each group will focus discussion around three shared questions:
- Where are you using AI today — and why?
- What breaks, disappoints or creates risk?
- What has changed when you’ve tried to scale it?
These forward-looking, peer-to-peer roundtables focus on the gaps that matter most: where AI consistently fails to meet real IP needs today, what capabilities are missing across the patent lifecycle, and what users actually expect next.
Designed as a rare feedback loop between users and builders, the session captures concrete priorities that will shape the next generation of AI-driven IP tools and strategies.
Discussion will focus on:
- Where AI consistently falls short across real IP workflows
- What users actually need next — not what tools currently offer
- What would materially change decisions, outcomes or adoption if it existed
DAY one: TUESDAY, May 12, 2026 - IP DEALMAKING
Interested in joining? Request an invite:
- The economics of complex disputes: funding, cost exposure and proportionality
- AI, technology and evidential complexity in modern litigation
- Expectations in high-stake litigation
Speakers:
- James Dobias, Partner, McDermott Will & Schulte (moderator)
- Rt Hon Lord Justice Colin Birss, Chancellor, High Court (UK)
- Judge Kai Härmand, Nordic-Baltic Regional Division, Unified Patent Court (Sweden)
- Judge Alexandre Au-Yong Oliveira, Judge, Court of Appeals of Lisbon (Portugal)
- Judge Fabian Richter Reuschle, Deputy Presiding Judge, Stuttgart Regional Court (Germany)
- The new rate-setting reality
- The global FRAND chessboard
- FRAND beyond telecoms
Speakers:
- Luke McLeroy, Managing Member, LFM Firm (moderator)
- Harold Barrault, VP, Head of Patent Licensing, Orange
- Nina Belbl, Legal Officer, WIPO
- Scott Hayden, VP, IP & Chief IP Officer, Amazon
- Jack McKinney, Director, IP, HP
Interested in joining? Request an invite email Aaron Rawcliffe
- Why investors and lenders are underwriting IP as a core asset class
- Using capital strategically: licensing, monetisation, divestiture and litigation funding
- Where deals break down – and how to make IP “finance-ready”
Speakers:
- Max Bernstein, VP, Contingent Risk, CAC Specialty (moderator)
- Eli Gilsohn, VP, IP, Resolution Therapeutics
- Emily O’Neill, Head of Patents, BAT
- Francis Rushford, Head of IP Finance, Pretium
- How the UPC changes cost, speed and settlement dynamics in Europe
- Why China, India and Brazil are no longer “secondary” venues
- Stitching Global markets into one enforcement framework
Speakers:
- Sean Alexander, Head of IP, Umicore Group
- Cassandra Derham, Head of IP, Amadeus
- Judge Kai Härmand, Nordic-Baltic Regional Division, Unified Patent Court
- Anup Misra, Founder, Misra IP Litigation
Interested in joining? Request an invite email Aaron Rawcliffe
Breaking into jurisdiction-specific tables across Europe, China, Brazil, India and the US, attendees will examine how IP enforcement and monetisation actually work on the ground, focusing on leverage, economics and real-world execution rather than theory. Discussions will be focused around:
- Where is the real leverage?
- What changes the economics?
- What catches foreign parties out?
- Who wins here – and who struggles?
9:30 AM – 5:30 PM:
ONE-TO-ONE MEETINGS
Participants have the option to schedule 30-minute meetings utilising our desktop or mobile app. Registered attendees will receive an invitation to login to the app the week prior to the event.
DAY TWO: WEDNESDAY, may 13, 2026 - IN-HOUSE IP STRATEGY
- What works – and what doesn’t
- Choosing the right partner: licensors, NPEs, aggregators, funds and hybrids
- Packaging patents to maximise appeal, price and execution
Speakers:
- Fred Fabricant, Partner, Fabricant Rubino Lambrianakos (moderator)
- Joachim Herrn, CLO & GC, Norwegian Green Solutions
- Rachel Kelly, Group IP Director, Johnson Matthey
- Andy Spurr, Head of IP, Ceres Power
- Making IP intelligible
- Aligning CFOs, Boards and R&D
- Using valuation to act
Speakers:
- Mollie Stoker, Group GC and Company Secretary, Ocado
- Lucy Wojcik, Chief IP Counsel, Ocado
- Who owns the decisions – and who doesn’t
- Designing and aligning IP teams for impact
- Measuring what matters
Speakers:
- Sonja London, Founder, Fearless IP (moderator)
- Ceyda Maisami, Chief IP Counsel, HP
- Mitsuaki Matsumura, Head of IP Licensing, AP and EMEA, IBM
- Claudia Ritter, VP, Digital IP and IP Operations, BASF
- Toni Santamaria, Chief IP Officer, Adalvo
- How value is created
- What drives behaviour
- What transfers – and what doesn’t
Speakers:
- Charles Clark, Founder, IP ARKITEK (moderator)
- James Clulow, Head of Technology and IP, Eakin Healthcare
- Anne McAleer, Head of IP, Paragraf
- David Taylor, Director, IP, Cambridge Mechatronics
- Helen Waugh, Senior Commercialisation Manager and Licensing Lead, Ploughshare
9:30 AM – 2:30 PM:
ONE-TO-ONE MEETINGS
Participants have the option to schedule 30-minute meetings utilising our desktop or mobile app. Registered attendees will receive an invitation to login to the app the week prior to the event.
2026 SPEAKERs
The 2026 program is in development. Get updates and Enquire about speaking in 2026 below.
Get Updates
If you’d like to know as soon as more information is available, please join the Dealmakers email list below.
2026 FEATURED SPEAKERs
JUDGE KAI Härmand
Nordic-Baltic Regional Division
Unified Patent Court
Judge Kai Härmand
JUDGE, UNIFIED PATENT COURT
Ms Härmand was appointed to the Estonian judiciary in 1999 and worked at the court of first instance as a civil judge, specialising on intellectual property rights and obligation law. Since February 2024 she is the Head of the Civil Department of the Harju County Court.
As a judge she has been a member of the drafting committee of Estonian Copyright Act and Civil Procedure Act. She has been a lecturer on civil procedural law, intellectual property law, data protection law and legal drafting at Tartu University and Public Service Academy of Estonia for more than two decades. She is judicial trainer and frequent lecturer of civil procedure and judicial skills for practitioners from various fields – patent attorneys, lawyers, court experts and judiciary. She supervises students participating in EU Moot Court competitions. She is also a member of the Judicial Training Committee of Estonia.
She was seconded to the Estonian Ministry of Justice to work as the Deputy Secretary General and Head of the Legal Policy Department 2012-2020. In the MoJ she conducted the work of Estonian Data Protection Authority and Estonian Patent Office, coordinated drafting of private and public law including intellectual property, competition law, data protection, fundamental rights etc. She was the Program Manager of the MoJ during Estonian Presidency of the EU in 2017.
She returned to the judiciary in 2020 and since 1. of June 2023 she is also a judge in the Unified Patent Court, Nordic-Baltic Division.
Mollie Stoker
Group GC and Company Secretary
Ocado
Mollie Stoker
GROUP GC AND COMPANY SECRETARY, OCADO
Mollie Stoker is Group General Counsel and Company Secretary at Ocado Group, a global technology business redefining ecommerce, fulfilment and logistics in online grocery and beyond, with proprietary technology used by partners worldwide. She leads the Group Operations functions spanning Intellectual Property, Legal, Governance, Sustainability, Health & Safety and Insurance. She advises the Board and executive leadership on strategic transactions, technology partnerships, risk and regulatory matters, supporting the continued scaling of Ocado’s automation and software solutions internationally. Mollie brings extensive experience as a General Counsel and Company Secretary in listed international businesses, with a strong track record in M&A, corporate governance and complex commercial arrangements.
Sir Colin Birss
Chancellor
UK High Court
UK
Sir Colin Birss
CHANCELLOR, UK HIGH COURT
Sir Colin Birss was sworn in as Chancellor of the High Court in November 2025. He was called to the English Bar in 1990 and practiced in intellectual property law, taking silk in 2008. In 2010, Colin Birss went on the bench, first as judge of the Patents County Court (now IPEC) and then, in 2013, to the High Court. In 2019, he became Judge in Charge of the Patents Court. Colin was sworn in as a Lord Justice of the Court of Appeal in 2021 and took up a senior leadership role as the Deputy Head of Civil Justice until November 2025.
2026 SPEAKERs
Sean Alexander
Head of IP
Umicore Group
Sean Alexander
HEAD OF IP, UMICORE GROUP
Sean Alexander is Head of Intellectual Property at Umicore, a leading materials science company. Sean is a qualified European Patent Attorney, as well as a U.S. and Canadian Patent Agent. He has worked in the IP field for many years including with Procter & Gamble, DSM, Eli Lilly, and Gowlings WLG. Sean has been recognized as a leading IP strategist by IAM magazine and has a particular focus on aligning IP with business objectives.
Judge Alexandre Au-Yong Oliveira
Court of Appeals of Lisbon
Judge Alexandre Au-Yong Oliveira
JUDGE, COURT OF APPEALS OF LISBON
Sir Alexandre Au-Yong Oliveira is a Judge at the Lisbon Court of Appeal, sitting in the Section for Intellectual Property, Competition, Regulation and Supervision. He has served in the Portuguese judiciary since 1999, including at first instance in civil, criminal and intellectual property jurisdictions. Between 2016 and 2023, he was a full-time lecturer at the Portuguese National School for the Judiciary (CEJ). He is currently pursuing a PhD in Law at the University of Lisbon, where his research focuses on legal theory. He lectures on postgraduate programmes at Portuguese universities, speaks regularly at national and international conferences, and has published in several areas of law.
Harold Barrault
VP, Head of Patent Licensing
Orange
Harold Barrault
VP, HEAD OF PATENT LICENSING, ORANGE
Harold Barrault was appointed VP Licensing at Orange Group in 2017, in the Intellectual Property & Licensing department, part of Orange Research. This fully integrated business unit manages patents, licensing, partnerships, and all associated legal matters. His team specializes in patent licensing, patent portfolio strategy, and business intelligence.
With a background in business and information technology, Harold brings over 25 years of international experience, including expatriation in Silicon Valley, Madagascar, and Poland.
Prior to his current role, he led innovation initiatives for Orange affiliates in Spain, England, and Romania. His career includes diverse roles in information technology companies of all sizes, from start-ups to large enterprises. He has held positions ranging from technical expert to product marketing, large project management, transformation programs, business development, managing director, and entrepreneur.
Nina Belbl
Legal Officer
WIPO
Nina Belbl
LEGAL OFFICER, WIPO
Dr. Nina Belbl implements WIPO’s SEP strategy as legal officer in the Patent and Technology Law Division. In this role, she coordinates SEP policy development and provides expertise on standard essential patents. Further, Nina contributes to WIPO’s broader IP mission through legislative and policy advice to member states on patent law and by developing trade secret policy, including significantly contributing to the development of the WIPO Guide to Trade Secrets and Innovation.
Dr. Belbl’s SEP expertise is grounded in both practical and academic experience. Her doctoral thesis at the University of Freiburg (Germany) examined strategic transfer of SEPs, providing theoretical foundation for her current policy work. Before joining WIPO in 2020, she practiced patent litigation at a leading German patent litigation firm, focusing on the telecommunications and automotive sectors. Her work included multinational SEP litigation and connected car disputes.
Max Bernstein
VP, Contingent Risk
CAC Specialty
Max Bernstein
VP, CONTINGENT RISK, CAC SPECIALTY
Charles Clark
Founder
IP ARKITEK
Charles Clark
FOUNDER, IP ARKITEK
Charles founded IP-Arkitek in 2021 to provide a unique service for businesses interested in commercialising their intangible assets. Services include a virtual in-house IP team and intangible asset assessments for investors. Prior to that, he has 15 years’ leadership experience working for blue chip corporates and corporate venture funds delivering IP strategic advice to maximise value of intellectual property. Charles joined the IP profession in 1999 having spent 8 years as a research physicist working in the defence sector immediately after his graduation from London University.
James Clulow
Head of Technology and IP
Eakin Healthcare
James Clulow
HEAD OF TECHNOLOGY AND IP, EAKIN HEALTHCARE
James Clulow, PhD is an innovation and intellectual property (IP) professional with 10+ years’ experience. In his current role at Eakin Healthcare, a family-owned UK-based medical device company, he leads early research effort into new technology capabilities as well as the strategic management of the company’s growing IP portfolio. Sitting within the R&D function, James acts as a strategic advisor on emerging technologies and collaboration models, in turn driving innovation across ostomy and respiratory care, overseeing both internal research programmes and external university partnerships that expand Eakin’s technical horizons. He is also responsible for shaping and implementing the organisation’s evolving IP strategy — strengthening patent, trademark, design right, and trade secret protection to support long‑term commercial growth. His role spans end‑to‑end IP management, from invention disclosure and portfolio development to ensuring freedom‑to‑operate, competitor monitoring, and embedding IP processes across the organisation.
Cassandra Derham
Head of IP
Amadeus
Cassandra Derham
HEAD OF IP, AMADEUS
Cassandra Derham started her IP career twenty five years ago and qualified as a European Patent Attorney (EPA) and Chartered Patent Attorney (CPA) in private practice in London, building on a Masters in Physics with Medical Physics from the University of Bristol. After nearly a decade in and around Gray’s Inn, Mrs Derham moved from private practice to industry, which has taken her from the South East of England (in high-tech) to the South East of France, where she works for Amadeus, a travel IT company. Mrs Derham is the head of Technical Intangibles, which is the team responsible for determining Amadeus’s IP strategy and for creating the IP portfolio including classic registered rights such as patents and designs alongside more mysterious unregistered rights such as Open Source, trade secrets, know-how and defensive publications. When not protecting the IP rights around computer-implemented inventions, Mrs Derham enjoys the offerings of the French Riviera including hiking, cycling, skiing, building sandcastles with her children and martial arts.
James Dobias
Partner
McDermott Will & Schulte
Andy Spurr
HEAD OF IP, CERES POWER
Andy is Head of IP at Ceres Power, a technology licensing company commercialising fuel cells and electrolysers for decarbonising industry. Andy has 7 years of in-house experience, having previously worked in Canon Europe, predominantly on Standard Essential Patents.
Fred Fabricant
Partner
Fabricant Rubino Lambrianakos
Fred Fabricant
PARTNER, FABRICANT RUBINO LAMBRIANAKOS
Alfred R. Fabricant (Fred) is an experienced first chair trial lawyer who focuses his practice on patent, copyright, trademark and unfair competition matters.
Fred has litigated patent infringement cases in district courts throughout the United States for both patent owners and defendants including cases in the most active courts in Delaware, Texas, California, Illinois and Florida. His cases have involved a large variety of technologies including automotive, semiconductor, audio processing, LED lighting and displays, smartphone handsets, medical devices, electronic ratings systems, copy protection and anti-piracy technology, NFC and radio frequency identification systems, robotic systems, memory and storage devices, software, internet-related method and system patents, universal remote control devices, and optical systems and methods. According to “The World’s Leading Patent Practitioners” published by the IAM1000: “clients say they cannot imagine working with anyone better, hailing (Fabricant’s) outstanding skills of presentation and persuasion in the courtroom.”
Fred has represented clients in patent matters before the International Trade Commission. He has also appeared in more than 100 inter partes review proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeals Board. Fred has argued numerous appeals before the U.S. Courts of Appeal for the Federal, Second and Fourth Circuits where he has represented both appellants and appellees in a variety of matters.
Since 2008. Fred has handled a large number of cases that have been financed, in whole or in part, by litigation funders. He has also represented litigation funds as outside diligence counsel and is frequently recommended by litigation funders to claimants for both lead counsel representation in litigation as well as for IPR work before the PTAB.
In addition to his litigation experience,
Fred routinely acts as a legal counselor and advisor in the negotiation and drafting of patent, trademark and copyright license agreements, joint venture and funding agreements, and other business contracts. Fred also specializes in IP due diligence, freedom to operate analyses and strategies for the management and monetization of IP portfolios, a topic on which he has lectured extensively over the past decade. He advises clients on portfolio acquisitions and development, licensing and enforcement strategies, and litigation financing options.
Education
The University of Illinois Chicago Law School, J.D. (with highest distinction)
The University of Miami (magna cum laude)
Admissions
- New York
- Arizona
Eli Gilsohn
VP, IP
Resolution Therapeutics
Eli Gilsohn
VP, IP – RESOLUTION THERAPEUTICS
Eli is an experienced intellectual property executive, specialising in leading global IP strategy of biotech and pharma companies. Eli is currently the VP of Intellectual Property at Resolution Therapeutics where he established and leads the company’s IP strategy relating to its Regenerative Macrophage Therapy technology, including IP acquisition and licensing. Before joining Resolution Therapeutics, Eli was part of the senior leadership team of Tropic Biosciences. While at Tropic, Eli established and led the company’s IP strategy relating to its gene-editing products and platforms through multiple successful investment rounds. Prior to that, Eli held leadership positions including Principal Patent Counsel at Quark Pharmaceuticals and further held positions in leading private practice IP firms. He holds a PhD in Molecular Genetics from the Weizmann Institute of Science and an MBA specialising in Bio-Medical Management.
Scott Hayden
Vice President, Intellectual Property
Amazon
Scott Hayden
VICE PRESIDENT, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, AMAZON
Scott joined Amazon in 2006 as Vice President of the Intellectual Property group, with responsibility for all patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, IP licensing, and domain matters. He has led the growth of the IP team from 4 people to over 80 and expanded the patent portfolio to more than 25,000 patent families.
Joachim Herrn
CLO & GC
Norwegian Green Solutions
Joachim Herrn
CLO & GC, NORWEGIAN GREEN SOLUTIONS
Joachim Herrn, Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel, Norwegian Green Solutions AS (www.ngs.solar), has been an international IT & AI lawyer dealing with IP and IP licensing since the beginning of his career as a Munich/Germany bar-admitted attorney 25 years ago. An IT network technician & admin since university times he spent nearly 24 years as in-house counsel at the two US multinational high-tech industry leaders Texas Instruments (Semiconductors) and GE HealthCare (Medical Imaging) where he most recently, until the end of 2025, served as the global General Counsel of GEHC’s 4.5 billion US$ Ultrasound (devices & IT) business.
Rachel Kelly
Group IP Director
Johnson Matthey
Rachel Kelly
GROUP IP DIRECTOR, JOHNSON MATTHEY
Rachel leads the in-house IP team responsible for Johnson Matthey Plc’s Hydrogen Technologies business and its Corporate Research function, and sits on JM’s IP Leadership Team. After training and qualifying as a UK and European patent attorney with a leading UK firm, Rachel joined JM in 2012. Since then, she has held roles providing full-service IP support to a range of JM business units at different stages of their maturity cycle, developing and implementing tailored IP strategies. In addition to core IP work, she has advised on M&A transactions, high impact technology licensing deals and complex JDAs, working as a valued business partner to senior stakeholders. She has developed a strong interest in IP Operations since her involvement in implementing a new IP management system in 2017, and more recently has led a successful project to transform JM’s use of its IP data to drive strategic insight and improved portfolio management decisions.
Sonja London
Founder
Fearless IP
Sonja London
FOUNDER, FEARLESS IP
Sonja London is General Counsel and Licensing Executive in TactoTek, world-leading innovator in the field of smart surfaces. Sonja has global responsibility of TactoTek’s IP, licensing and standardization strategies as well as legal matters. Before TactoTek, she worked with Nokia Patent Business, in her latest position leading Nokia’s Consumer Electronics licensing globally. Sonja has been deeply involved in licensing for automotive, consumer electronics and mobile devices. Her experience covers also patent pools, joint licensing, patent transactions and managing licensing business.
Sonja serves several companies as board member, investor and advisor on IP. She serves in the board of Kesla Oyj (forestry technology), Berggren Oy (IP powerhouse) and SolidComp Oy (industrial digital twins).
Sonja serves as President Elect of Licensing Executives Society International (LESI). She holds a Master of Laws from University of Helsinki and Executive MBA from Aalto University. She is ranked in IAM Strategy 300 as one of the world top IP Strategists.
Ceyda Maisami
Chief IP Counsel
HP
Ceyda Maisami
CHIEF IP COUNSEL, HP
Ceyda Maisami is the Chief Intellectual Property Counsel at HP, guiding the company’s global intellectual property strategy. She leads a team of professionals managing a comprehensive range of IP matters, including patents, trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights, and marketing, as well as overseeing IP transactions. Her team also supports litigation, mergers and acquisitions, and other corporate transactional issues.
Previously, Ceyda worked on high profile patent prosecution and litigation matters at Finnegan and Chadbourne & Parke. Her career began in the technical field as an electrical engineer at Osram Sylvania in the lighting industry, providing her with a strong foundation for an in-house intellectual property law role.
Mitsuaki Matsumura
Head of IP Licensing, AP and EMEA
IBM
Anne McAleer
Head of IP
Paragraf
Anne Mcaleer
HEAD OF IP, PARAGRAF
Anne McAleer is Head of IP at Paragraf, where she leads the company’s global intellectual property strategy across cutting-edge graphene and semiconductor technologies. She has extensive experience in IP-driven deal making, working closely with commercial, R&D, and legal teams to structure, negotiate, and execute licensing, collaboration, and investment agreements that unlock value from innovation. She has advised on complex IP deals across the full technology lifecycle, from early-stage development through to scale-up and global commercialisation, and brings a practical, commercially focused perspective on how IP can enable successful partnerships and long-term growth. Prior to joining Paragraf, Anne held senior IP roles at Idex Biometrics, CSR, and UbiNetics, and began her career at PA Consulting Group. Anne is named as an inventor on 23 patents.
Jack McKinney
Director, IP
HP
Jack McKinney
DIRECTOR, IP, HP
Jack McKinney is a Director for Intellectual Property at HP. With over 25 years of experience spanning patent prosecution, IP licensing and litigation, Mr. McKinney is a thought leader and trusted business and legal advisor on HP’s technology ventures. Following a decade in private practice, Mr. McKinney joined HP’s patent development team to drive patent portfolio strategy for several HP businesses. Currently, Mr. McKinney leads a team of IP professionals supporting HP’s Personal Systems & Solutions businesses. Mr. McKinney’s team manages and advises on a wide variety of IP matters across a variety of technologies. Mr. McKinney’s practice extends across patent portfolio management, development agreements with industry partners, M&A due diligence, litigation support, and inbound licensing for technologies integrated into HP’s products and services. Of note, Mr. McKinney has successfully managed HP’s negotiations for a number of inbound SEP licenses.
Luke McLeroy
Managing Member
LFM Firm
Luke McLeroy
MANAGING MEMBER, LFM FIRM
Luke McLeroy has more than twenty years of experience as an intellectual property licensing executive, legal counsel, law professor, and mediator. He is currently the Managing Member of LFM Firm, a law firm he started in February 2025 to provide clients with intellectual property and dispute resolution expertise. Luke also teaches Intellectual Property Licensing as an Adjunct Professor at the SMU Dedman School of Law in Dallas, Texas.
Luke previously worked at Avanci where he designed, built, and operated multiple patent licensing platforms, led the North American patent licensing business at Ericsson, and practiced as a principal at the law firm McKool Smith. Luke graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering and received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law.
Since completing mediation training in 2018, Luke has resolved many commercial disputes through alternative dispute resolution. Luke frequently volunteers at the Dallas County Dispute Resolution Center to mediate lawsuits in which one or more parties cannot afford to hire a lawyer.
Anup Misra
Founder
Misra IP Litigation
Anup Misra
FOUNDER, MISRA IP LITIGATION
Anup Misra serves as a Managing Director – IP at Curiam Capital and is responsible for the underwriting of financing opportunities related to intellectual property litigation. He also works on business development and the monitoring of ongoing litigation for Curiam’s investments. This year he was individually ranked by Chambers and Partners under Intellectual Property, Litigation Funding.
Anup has over a decade of experience representing clients in complex intellectual property and general commercial litigation. Prior to joining Curiam, Anup was a senior associate at Winston & Strawn LLP, where he defended large technology companies in high-stakes patent litigation and provided guidance and counseling related to the management and acquisition of patent portfolios. He was also previously an associate in the intellectual property and litigation groups at Mayer Brown LLP and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP.
Anup graduated from Pennsylvania State University with degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics and cum laude from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, where he was an editor on the Law Review.
Emily O’Neill
Head of Patents
BAT
Emily O'Neill
HEAD OF PATENTS, BAT
Dr O’Neill is the General Counsel UK and a Director of Deminor UK, a leading European headquartered litigation fund. Dr O’Neill is also Head of Practice for Deminor’s intellectual property investments. Deminor has 25 years experience in supporting commercial litigation and funds from its balance sheet.
Dr O’Neill is an experienced and strategic litigator having held positions managing global disputes both leading an in-house team at Spectris plc and in private practice at Bird & Bird, London. Dr O’Neill’s IP litigation experience spans jurisdictions including the United Kingdom, the United States, China, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. Dr O’Neill has been named as one of the world’s leading IP strategists in the IAM Strategy 300, as a Corporate IP Star by MIP, in the LawDragon 100 Global Leaders and in Who’s Who Legal for Litigation Finance.
Judge Fabian Ritcher Reuschle
Deputy Presiding Judge
Stuttgart Regional Court
Judge Fabian Ritcher Reuschle
DEPUTY PRESIDING JUDGE, STUTTGART
REGIONAL COURT
Dr. Fabian Reuschle is judge of the 3rd Chamber of the Stuttgart Regional Court (Landgericht), a post
he has held since April 2007. From 2016 until the beginning of 2020 he was as presiding judge responsible for investors’claims against Porsche Automobil Holding SE concerning the diesel emission scandal. In 2020 and 2024 he advised the German Bundestag as an expert in the handling of mass lawsuits and the reform of the Capital Markets Model Case Act (KapMuG). Earlier in his career (2001-2005), Dr. Reuschle led the development of the „KapMuG“ while on secondment to the German Federal Ministry of Justice. The Act establishes
a lead case procedure for the collective handling of individual capital market-related actions,
similar to the US class action system.
Dr. Reuschle annotated the Capital Markets Model Case Act in the Civil Procedure Commentary
Wieczorek/Schütze; he is also co-editor of the Kölner Kommentar of the KapMuG. In 2025 Dr. Reuschle annotated as co-editor the Consumer Rights Enforcement Act.
Claudia Ritter
VP, Digital IP and IP Operations
BASF
Claudia Ritter
VP, DIGITAL IP AND IP OPERATIONS, BASF
Claudia Ritter, PhD is a German and European patent attorney with more than two decades of experience driving IP strategy, digital transformation, and innovation leadership. At BASF, she played a key role in building and advancing the digital IP function, leading strategic initiatives to introduce digital patenting, licensing and standards, and integrating technologies such as AI and data driven steering into IP operations. Her work spans executive advising, organizational capability building, and the development of future focused IP strategies supporting complex global innovation pipelines.
Before BASF, Dr. Ritter worked in private practice and later as in house counsel at Roche, specializing in MedTech sensor technologies, digital health applications, and technical standards. She brings cross industry insight across chemicals, life sciences, and digital technology.
Dr. Ritter holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Bristol and has completed executive programs including LSE MBA Essentials and AI for Leaders at the McCombs School of Business.
Francis Rushford
MD & Head of IP Finance
Pretium
Claudia Ritter
MD & HEAD OF IP FINANCE, PRETIUM
Francis G. Rushford is a Managing Director and Head of IP Finance within Pretium Partner’s Legal Group. Mr. Rushford is a recognized global authority on Intellectual Property valuation and monetization through the successful monetization of IP assets for well over 25 years.
Prior to joining Pretium in 2021, Mr. Rushford was in private practice in California and New York. Before that, Mr. Rushford was the Chief Operating Officer for HEVC Advance. Previous to HEVC Advance, Mr. Rushford was a Managing Director and Co-Founder of RSL Holdings, a premier intellectual property valuation and monetization business. Preceding RSL, Mr. Rushford founded the Patent Trading Desk at ICAP. Before ICAP, Mr. Rushford practiced law privately and as a corporate counsel. Mr. Rushford has successfully generated hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue for his clients through the proper valuation and monetization of patents and other IP globally through litigation, licensing, and sales.
Mr. Rushford was trained as a metallurgical engineer at New York University and worked as an engineer and product development manager for Texas Instruments prior to his commencing his legal career after graduating from New England Law Boston.
Toni Santamaria
Chief IP Officer
Adalvo
Toni Santamaria
CHIEF IP OFFICER, ADALVO
Toni Santamaria has been leading the Intellectual Property team at Adalvo since 2021. He has more than 20 years of experience in various pharmaceutical companies, where he has been involved in developing and implementing complex patent and data exclusivity litigation strategies for several generics and added-value products, including leading parallel litigation cases in multiple European countries. He also has experience in patent and trademark prosecution. Toni qualified as a European Patent Attorney, European Patent Litigator, and holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry.
Andy Spurr
Head of IP
Ceres Power
Andy Spurr
HEAD OF IP, CERES POWER
Andy is Head of IP at Ceres Power, a technology licensing company commercialising fuel cells and electrolysers for decarbonising industry. Andy has 7 years of in-house experience, having previously worked in Canon Europe, predominantly on Standard Essential Patents.
David Taylor
Director IP
Cambridge Mechatronics
Helen Waugh
Senior Commercialisation Manager and Licensing Lead
Ploughshare
Helen Waugh
SENIOR COMMERCIALISATION MANAGER AND LICENSING LEAD, PLOUGHSHARE,
Helen Waugh began her career in research, where she discovered a passion for solving complex problems and collaborating with industry to drive progress, even when initial projects remained in the lab. With a strong belief that innovation lies at the heart of engineering, she transitioned from research into private practice before moving into the university sector as an IP specialist in Technology Transfer.
Helen has worked with universities and enterprise agencies across the UK and Ireland, and spent several years in the energy sector, most recently serving as Head of IP for an energy storage company. Throughout her career, she has supported a wide range of industry projects and helped organisations navigate their innovation journeys. With extensive experience in innovation and intellectual property, Helen continues to explore the persistent challenges in the field and observes that successful projects often follow similar pathways.
Lucy Wojcik
Chief IP Counsel
Ocado
Lucy Wojcik
CHIEF IP COUNSEL, OCADO GROUP PLC
Lucy Wojcik graduated in materials engineering from Imperial College London. She trained as a patent attorney in two private practice firms before qualifying as a European patent attorney and chartered patent attorney in 1999 and moving to an in-house role for BAE Systems plc. Having gained significant commercial IP experience, Ms Wojcik became a freelance IP consultant and patent attorney for Leonardo MW (a subsidiary of Finmeccanica SpA) and, more recently, for Ocado Innovation Ltd. She was appointed head of intellectual property for Ocado Group plc in 2016. She is also a visiting lecturer on the IP practice and management course at Brunel University.
2026 WORKSHOP SPEAKERS AI ACROSS THE PATENT LIFECYCLE: FROM TOOLS TO STRATEGY
Alexis Cheynel
IP Business Intelligence and Portfolio Manager
Orange
Alexis Cheynel
IP Business Intelligence and Portfolio Manager, ORANGE
Alexis Cheynel is an IP an business strategy professional within the Intellectual Property and Licensing department at Orange Group. He plays a key role in connecting market insights with IP assets, focusing on identifying portfolio strengths and uncovering strategic growth opportunities. His work is instrumental in evaluating the competitive landscape to optimize the value of intellectual property.
With over 17 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Alexis has built a career defined by broad technical expertise and international collaboration. He spent several years at Orange Japan, where he led market intelligence initiatives and developed partnerships within the Japanese tech ecosystem. His expertise spans a wide range of sectors, including emerging technologies and innovation.
Today, he leverages this dual background to provide actionable intelligence that supports decisions in strategic management and licensing of global patent portfolios.
Yann Dietrich
Group Head of IP, AI and Tech Regulations
Atos Group
Yann Dietrich
GROUP HEAD OF IP, AI AND TECH REGULATIONS, ATOS GROUP
Mark Chadwick is Head of Intellectual Property at Meatable. Mr Chadwick is a European Patent Attorney with more than 25 years’ experience advising on IP matters in the Life Sciences sector, working both in-house and in private practice. From 2018-2022, Mr Chadwick was Head of Intellectual Property at Biotalys in Belgium and prior to that worked in various senior IP roles at Merus, DSM and Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics. Mr Chadwick has considerable experience of patent matters relating to industrial biotechnology and the food industry and has a particular interest in IP issues relating to Access and Benefit Sharing.
Charles Eldering
Founder
CAsE Analysis
Charles Eldering
FOUNDER, CAsE ANALYSIS
Charles is an entrepreneur, inventor, and patent specialist with over 20 years of experience in the patent field and extensive experience in patent monetization, including having monetized four of his own portfolios in areas ranging from targeted advertising to bioinformatics.
At CAsE Analysis Charles helps patent holders by providing portfolio management and strategic patenting services as well as preparing portfolios for sale and enforcement. This includes reverse engineering of existing products, development of claim charts, development of targeted continuation applications, and packaging of assets for sale or litigation. He also serves as an expert witness and has participated in several jury trials.
Charles has a BS in physics from Carnegie Mellon University, an MS in solid state science from Syracuse University, and a PhD in electrical engineering from the University of California at Davis. He is a registered patent agent and previously served as an officer in the US Air Force.
Alexandre Ribeil
Senior Manager, IP
Amadeus
Alexandre Ribeil
SENIOR MANAGER, IP, AMADEUS
European and French Patent Attorney with 15+ years of experience in IP for AI, software, and data‑driven technologies. Currently IP Senior Manager at Amadeus, leading AI‑driven IP transformation, trade secret protection, and open‑source governance.
Claudia Ritter
VP, Digital IP and IP Operations
BASF
Claudia Ritter
VP, DIGITAL IP AND IP OPERATIONS, BASF
Claudia Ritter, PhD is a German and European patent attorney with more than two decades of experience driving IP strategy, digital transformation, and innovation leadership. At BASF, she played a key role in building and advancing the digital IP function, leading strategic initiatives to introduce digital patenting, licensing and standards, and integrating technologies such as AI and data driven steering into IP operations. Her work spans executive advising, organizational capability building, and the development of future focused IP strategies supporting complex global innovation pipelines.
Before BASF, Dr. Ritter worked in private practice and later as in house counsel at Roche, specializing in MedTech sensor technologies, digital health applications, and technical standards. She brings cross industry insight across chemicals, life sciences, and digital technology.
Dr. Ritter holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Bristol and has completed executive programs including LSE MBA Essentials and AI for Leaders at the McCombs School of Business.
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2026 SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
FRL is a premier IP litigation boutique with unrivaled success representing innovators and patent owners in high-stakes disputes. Our trial-ready lawyers have decades of experience litigating cutting-edge technology cases in federal courts, the ITC, and before the PTAB, often against the world’s largest companies. We use our technical acumen and industry experience to help clients locate, vet, and acquire patent portfolios for monetization. Founded by former Big Law partners, FRL delivers top-tier litigation talent on fair, flexible terms through creative fee structures and litigation finance. Learn more at frlip.com.
SILVER SPONSORS
CAC Specialty’s Contingent & Litigation Risk Solutions Group is an integrated team of seasoned corporate litigators and senior investment bankers. Whether you are a litigation finance group, law firm, or corporate litigant, CAC’s industry-leading team can help you protect against downside litigation risk, lock in a core value to a legal asset, secure non-recourse financing to bring forward litigation proceeds, and decrease your cost of capital. CAC Specialty brings an innovative, proactive approach to insurance broking and structured solutions to solve your risk challenges – from the simple to the previously unsolvable.
Pretium is an alternative investment management firm with over $50 billion in assets under management focused on innovating in single-family real estate, residential credit and structured and corporate credit markets. Pretium’s investment strategy seeks to capitalize on disruptions in traditional markets and drive superior returns through a unique platform-oriented approach.
BRONZE SPONSORS
Liston Abramson is a U.S.-based litigation boutique with a focus on patent litigation. We have a winning record and a deep bench of technical and trial experience. We work extensively with litigation funding and funders. We also handle complex business disputes, white collar criminal matters, internal investigations, and criminal referrals.
Lumenci is a full-service IP consulting firm focused on extracting maximum value from IP assets, providing technical, valuation, and strategic advice to patent owners and law firms. With a global presence across Austin, New York, San Francisco Bay Area, and New Delhi, Lumenci brings experts together, delivering over $3.5B in verdicts, settlements, and cost savings.
WiLAN acquires and manages innovative patented technologies. WiLAN uses it patent, technology, and legal expertise to unlock the value of companies’ patent portfolios and has signed over 500 licenses and generated more than $1B in IP revenue. WiLAN operates in a variety of markets, including automotive, digital television, internet, medical, semiconductor, and wireless communication technologies.
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Insight. Access. Commercial Outcomes.
IP Dealmakers Europe is the definitive forum for those actively shaping the IP market, from strategy and enforcement to capital and execution. We move beyond passive attendance to deliver a structured, deal-driven environment.
Our true value lies in bringing together the full market ecosystem – think IP owners, law firms, investors, and advisors – in a single room. By connecting strategy, execution, and capital, we create the unique conversations and high-value opportunities that only happen when the entire market intersects.
How do we do this:
Pre-arranged 1:1 meetings with relevant participants
Vetted senior attendees from across the IP ecosystem
8+ hours of dedicated networking time designed for real conversations
15+ focused sessions on industry challenges and opportunities
Why Should you Attend as:
IP Owners & Originators
Strengthen your IP strategy, unlock value, and access the partners needed to execute effectively.
- Understand how leading companies are enforcing and monetising IP
- Benchmark your strategy against peers across industries and jurisdictions
- Access law firms, funders and advisors to support execution
- Explore how capital can unlock or accelerate IP value
- Stay ahead of how IP is shaping competitive advantage
Law Firms & Advisors
Originate higher-value cases, access capital, and strengthen your position in an increasingly competitive disputes market.
- Win new clients, cases and strategic partnerships
- Access capital to originate and execute high-value disputes
- Understand the latest industry developments and trends
- Hear leading Judicial perspectives on complex litigation
- Build relationships with funders, corporates and co-counsel across jurisdictions
- Stay ahead of competitors in a rapidly evolving market
Funders & Investors
Access high-quality opportunities, build relationships with originators, and stay ahead of capital flows in the IP market
- Source high-quality deployment and co-investment opportunities
- Access law firms and corporates originating complex disputes
- Build relationships with investors allocating to legal strategies
- Understand where capital is flowing across cases, sectors and jurisdictions
- Position your platform within an increasingly competitive funding market
Service Providers & Brokers
Connect with key market participants, position your services, and access opportunities across high-value IP disputes and transactions
- Build relationships with law firms, corporates and funders active in the IP market
- Position your services within high-value disputes and transactions
- Access a curated pipeline of potential clients and partners
- Understand where demand is growing across IP strategy and litigation
- Stay visible in an increasingly competitive advisory landscape
Secure Your Seat
VENUE & Accommodations
Royal GARDEN HOTEL
The 3rd IP Dealmakers Europe will be hosted at the Royal Garden Hotel, a five-star landmark set directly on Kensington Gardens in one of London’s most prestigious neighbourhoods. With its sweeping views, refined interiors, and unbeatable access to Kensington’s cultural hubs, the Royal Garden Hotel provides the perfect backdrop for high-level discussions, strategic connections, and dealmaking.
To enhance the attendee experience, Dealmakers has secured a limited block of discounted rooms at an exclusive rate of £295 (Inclusive of VAT) per night. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are expected to sell out quickly. Reservation details will be shared with confirmed registrants.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
GENERAL FAQs
The 3rd Annual IP Dealmakers Europe will be held on May 11 – 13, 2026 at The Royal Garden Hotel. It will be co-located with the 3rd Annual LF Dealmakers Europe. You may find additional information regarding the venue and accomodations on our venue page.
You may register for the event using our online registration system. Please note that all registrations need to be approved.
All registered attendees will have access to the following:
- Admission to main conference
- Networking functions including breaks, lunches, and receptions
- Online event platform and mobile app to schedule 1:1 meetings and direct messaging
- Recorded sessions after the event to view on-demand
The IP Dealmakers Forum brings together a select group of leaders in the business community to address critical issues impacting the IP industry and broader innovation landscape. In order to ensure the event has balanced representation from market leaders and to maintain an optimal networking dynamic, we have instituted an approval process for all registrations.
We actively seek thought leaders and senior executives with experience and decision-making power within their respective organizations. We review individual registrations based on organizational profile, level of seniority as represented by job title, biographical information, and referral source.
We consider the type of organization, aiming to achieve a balanced representation of corporate IP owners, licensing company executives, law firm executives, investors, advisors, and other key stakeholders.
Additionally, we look to include perspectives from those that have not previously attended the event, as well as historically underrepresented groups.
Once you have completed your online registration, you will receive an email notification regarding the status of your application within 48 business hours.
Due to capacity limits at our event venue, along with our aim to achieve optimal dynamics for discussion and networking, we must be selective with registration approvals. If your registration was declined, we may have reached venue capacity, or it’s possible that you did not meet the criteria for attendance. We encourage you to reapply the following year.
Alternatively, you may be offered a place on the waiting list if we’ve reached our maximum capacity for your organization type (e.g., law firm, advisor, licensing company, etc.) Additionally, we limit the number of attendees per non-sponsoring organization to two individuals, so you may be offered a place on the waiting list if your organization has already registered two individuals.
Once you submit your registration, a hold will be placed on your card provided during registration. If your registration is approved, your payment will be processed using the credit card information you provide below.
If your registration is declined or you are waitlisted, your credit card will not be charged.
We welcome sponsorship inquiries and discussions regarding how to get involved in the event. Please contact us directly at info(at)dealmakersforums.com to request our prospectus which includes detailed information regarding sponsorship packages and opportunities to get involved in the event. We look forward to hearing from you.
We welcome speaking proposals from industry thought leaders and senior executives. Feel free to submit your proposal via this form. Please include as much detail as possible regarding your interest and relevant experience. Please note that we do not accept sales pitches or allow them at our events.
Leveraging our experience examining complex markets, we engage in a rigorous market-based research process to develop our program content, including identification of session topics, discussion points, and speakers. We rely on the expertise and valuable insights of our community, including industry advisors, sponsors, and partners in this process.
Registered participants will be invited to the 1:1 meetings platform via email approximately 1-2 weeks prior to the event start date, at which time all participants may begin scheduling their meetings.
Our 1-to-1 meetings feature is available to all registered attendees. You may request meetings with anyone attending the event, however, meetings are only confirmed and assigned a meeting location once the invited party accepts the request.
Cancellations received before 30 days prior to the event start date will receive a full refund minus processing fees. Cancellations received after this time will receive a credit with Dealmakers Forums that can be used toward a future event. No-shows will not be issued a refund or a credit.
To cancel your registration, contact us at registration(at)dealmakersforums.com with your request.
Substitutions are allowed at any time prior to the start of the event, but the substituting individual must be approved for attendance. If the individual is not approved, the registration will be considered a cancellation subject to the cancellation policy above.
Contact us at registration(at)dealmakersforums.com with your substitution request.
You may reach out to us at info(at)dealmakersforums.com or +1.914.365.7732. We look forward to hearing from you!
Sean Alexander