

NOVEMBER 2-4, 2026
Austin, Texas
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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

NuCurrent

Uber

Microsoft

VoiceAge EVS

Western District of Texas

Abnormal Security

Argonne National Laboratory

IBM

HP

Eastern District of Texas

Hyper Solutions

Qomplx

Rice University

Klein Tools

SRI

Xiaomi

Insitro
About The Event
Advancing ip strategy. maximizing ip value.
IP Dealmakers Forum, the annual forum for IP value creation, monetization and dealmaking, returns to Austin from November 2 to 4, 2026.
The 13th Annual IP Dealmakers Forum brings together the senior decision-makers shaping how intellectual property is valued, funded, licensed, litigated, commercialized, and monetized.
Across three days in Austin, the Forum combines strategic content, curated 1:1 meetings and high-value networking to support the commercial conversations that move the IP market forward.
Participants include corporate IP leaders, patent owners, law firms, litigation funders, investors, licensing and monetization specialists, portfolio strategists and advisors across the IP ecosystem.
- Curated senior audience: Built around the decision-makers active in IP strategy, monetization, enforcement, finance and transactions.
- Outcome-led meetings: Pre-arranged 1:1 meetings help attendees identify relevant connections and use their time effectively onsite.
- Market-defining insight: Sessions focus on the commercial, strategic and legal issues shaping IP value creation.
- Dealmaking environment: The format is designed to support relationship-building, business development, partnership formation and execution.
What’s Shaping The Agenda in 2026
Closed-door boardroom discussions
Smaller, candid conversations for senior participants to benchmark strategy, discuss live market dynamics and explore practical approaches to IP value creation.
Patent monetisation and licensing strategy
How companies, owners and intermediaries are identifying value, structuring deals and executing monetisation programs in a changing market.
Enforcement, leverage and dispute strategy
The role of litigation, venue strategy, remedies, data and risk allocation in driving commercial outcomes.
Litigation finance and capital deployment
How funders, investors, law firms and rights holders are evaluating opportunities, underwriting risk and structuring IP-related capital strategies.
Corporate IP value and portfolio strategy
How in-house teams are aligning IP portfolios with business priorities, revenue opportunities, risk management, competitive advantage and monetization.
Curated 1:1 meetings and Dealmakers Concierge support
Dedicated meeting infrastructure, pre-event guidance and onsite support help participants identify priority connections, navigate the attendee base and maximize the value of meetings and introductions before and during the Forum.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
IP Dealmakers by the numbers
500+
Decision
makers
250+
Attending
Companies
450+
one-to-one
meetings
90+
expert
speakers
13+
hours of
networking
2+
days of
dealmaking
93percent
ROI rated very good to excellent
92percent
Would highly recommend to a colleague
98percent
1:1 Meetings were rated very good to excellent
sponsorship opportunities
Become a sponsor
2026 agenda
The 2026 program is in development. Get updates and Inquire about speaking below.
Get Updates
If you’d like to know as soon as more information is available, please join the Dealmakers email list below.
pre-day: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2
8:00 – 5:30 PM: 2nd ANNUAL IP DEALMAKERS AI+EMTECH
Designed for practical exchange rather than passive discussion, the program explores where AI is actually being used, where current tools still fall short, and how IP leaders are applying AI across portfolio strategy, monetization, valuation, enforcement, protection and internal decision-making.
Registration for IP Dealmakers AI+EmTech is separate and additional to the IP Dealmakers Annual Forum, with a combined pass available for attendees wishing to join both programs.
For further information visit:
6:00 – 8:00 PM: 13th Annual IP Dealmakers Annual Forum Opening Reception
8:00 – 10:00 PM: 2nd Annual IP Dealmakers Women's Event
Sponsored by:



DAY ONE: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3
7:00 – 8:30 AM: BOARDROOM - IN-HOUSE IP AI LEADERS COUNCIL
This session is by invitation only. To request an invite, contact: Aaron Rawcliffe.
7:30 – 9:00 AM: Registration & Breakfast
9:00 – 9:15 AM: Welcome & Opening Remarks
9:15 - 9:45 AM: FIRESIDE CHAT - IN CONVERSATION WITH …
Designed for practical exchange rather than passive discussion, the program explores where AI is actually being used, where current tools still fall short, and how IP leaders are applying AI across portfolio strategy, monetization, valuation, enforcement, protection and internal decision-making.
Registration for IP Dealmakers AI+EmTech is separate and additional to the IP Dealmakers Annual Forum, with a combined pass available for attendees wishing to join both programs.
For further information visit:
9:45 - 10:45 AM: STATE OF THE MARKET - OPPORTUNITY IN VOLATILITY
Speakers:
- Aaron Fahrenkrog, Partner, Robins Kaplan (moderator)
- Elvir Causevic, Managing Director & Co-Founder, Tech+IP Capital
- Russ Genet, Managing Director, Longford Capital
- Erez Levy, Managing Director & Co-CIO, IP, Fortress Investment Group
10:45 – 11:15 AM: Networking Break
11:15 - 11:45 AM: VISION KEYNOTE - WHERE IS FUTURE IP VALUE FORMING? THE TECHNOLOGY SHIFTS DEALMAKERS SHOULD BE WATCHING NOW
Designed for practical exchange rather than passive discussion, the program explores where AI is actually being used, where current tools still fall short, and how IP leaders are applying AI across portfolio strategy, monetization, valuation, enforcement, protection and internal decision-making.
Registration for IP Dealmakers AI+EmTech is separate and additional to the IP Dealmakers Annual Forum, with a combined pass available for attendees wishing to join both programs.
For further information visit:
11:45 - 12:30 PM: INVESTORS ROUNDTABLE - THE NEXT IP CAPITAL PLAY: FUNDING, ACQUISITIONS, AND PARTNERSHIPS
Designed for practical exchange rather than passive discussion, the program explores where AI is actually being used, where current tools still fall short, and how IP leaders are applying AI across portfolio strategy, monetization, valuation, enforcement, protection and internal decision-making.
Registration for IP Dealmakers AI+EmTech is separate and additional to the IP Dealmakers Annual Forum, with a combined pass available for attendees wishing to join both programs.
For further information visit:
12:30 - 2:30 PM: Networking Luncheon
2:30 – 6:00 PM: BREAKOUT SESSIONS
THE DEALMAKERS’ FOCUS:
LITIGATION, LICENSING & LEVERAGE
THE CORPORATE IP FOCUS:
MAXIMIZING IP VALUE
CLOSED DOOR SESSIONS
Speakers:
- Patrick Fitch, Partner, Prince Lobel (moderator)
- Natalie Parker, VP, Contingent Risk Practice, CAC Specialty
Speakers:
- Harish Daiya, CEO & Co-Founder, Lumenci
This session is by invitation only. To request an invite, contact: Aaron Rawcliffe
Speakers:
- Jonathan K. Waldrop, Partner & Chair, IP Group, Kasowitz
Speakers:
- Jon Calvert, Partner, ClearView IP
- Kenneth Jenq, Director, Legal (IP, Product and Litigation), Abnormal Security
- Micky Minhas, SVP, Technology and Corporate Development, Avanci
4:00 - 4:30 PM: Networking Break
Speakers:
- Hamad Hamad, Principal, Caldwell Cassady & Curry (moderator)
- Sal Lim, Partner & Co-Founder, Alberti Lim & Tonkovich
- Steven Udick, Director, IP Litigation, Klein Tools
- Timothy Dewberry, Partner, Folio Law Group
Speakers:
- Benedetta Arese Lucini, Founder, Atom AI
- Ivan Kirchev, Chief Patent Counsel, Argonne National Laboratory
- Mike Waltrip, Senior Executive, IP Strategy and Commercialization, SRI
This session is by invitation only. To request an invite, contact: Aaron Rawcliffe.
Speakers:
- Anup Misra, Founder, Misra IP Litigation
Speakers:
- Becca Cavin, Senior Corporate Counsel, Microsoft
- Jack McKinney, Director, IP, HP
- Feng Zhou, VP, Head of IP, Insitro
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM:
ONE-TO-ONE MEETINGS
Participants have the option to schedule 30-minute meetings utilizing our desktop or mobile app. Registered attendees will receive an invitation to login to the app the week prior to the event.
6:00 – 8:00 PM: Networking Reception & Close Of Day One
Day 2: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4
8:00 – 9:00 AM: Registration & Breakfast
9:00 – 9:15 AM: Welcome & Opening Remarks
9:15 - 10:00 AM: JUDICIAL OUTLOOK - VIEWS FROM THE BENCH
Speakers:
- Mark Siegmund, Partner, Cherry Johnson Siegmund James (moderator)
- Hon. Derek T. Gilliland, U.S. Magistrate Judge, Western District of Texas
- Hon. Roy Payne, U.S. Magistrate Judge, Eastern District of Texas
10:00 – 10:30 AM: Networking Break
10:30 - 11:15 AM: DEALMAKERS’ DEBATE - GOOD OR BAD? THE USPTO SHIFT UNDER DEBATE
Speakers:
- Kurt Brasch, Director, Patent Transactions, Uber
- Coke Morgan Stewart, Former Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for IP & Deputy Director, USPTO
11:15 - 12:00 PM: SPOTLIGHT - WHEN DEFENSE BECOMES OFFENSE: OPERATING COMPANIES, MONETIZATION PARTNERS, AND STRATEGIC IP VALUE
Speakers:
- Adam S. Rizk, Member & Co-Chair, ITC Practice, Mintz (moderator)
- Keith Wilson, EVP, Partnerships and Acquisitions, IPValue Management
- Katharine Wolanyk, Managing Director, Burford Capital
12:00 - 1:30 PM: Networking Luncheon
1:30 – 2:45 PM: BREAKOUT SESSIONS
THE DEALMAKERS’ FOCUS:
LITIGATION, LICENSING & LEVERAGE
THE CORPORATE IP FOCUS:
MAXIMIZING IP VALUE
CLOSED DOOR SESSIONS
Speakers:
- Matteo Sabbattini, Executive Advisor, Government Affairs, Sisvel
- Sarah Jaeger, Director, Licensing, Nokia
- Cheng Yu, Licensing Director, Xiaomi
Speakers:
- Jacob Babcock, CEO & Founder, NuCurrent
- Patrick Diaz, CFO, VoiceAge EVS
- Jinnie Reed, GC, Qomplx
This session is by invitation only. To request an invite, contact: Aaron Rawcliffe
3:15 – 4:30 PM: BREAKOUT SESSIONS
THE DEALMAKERS’ FOCUS:
LITIGATION, LICENSING & LEVERAGE
THE CORPORATE IP FOCUS:
MAXIMIZING IP VALUE
CLOSED DOOR SESSIONS
Speakers:
- Brian Landry, Partner, Saul Ewing
- Patricia Stepp, AVP, Technology Transfer, Rice University
Speakers:
- Ken Kaskoun, Chief Growth Officer, InterDigital
- Greg Penoyer, Assistant GC, Hyper Solutions
This session is by invitation only. To request an invite, contact: Aaron Rawcliffe
Speakers:
- Mitsuaki Matsumura, Head of IP Licensing, AP and EMEA, IBM
9:00 AM – 4:30 PM:
ONE-TO-ONE MEETINGS
Participants have the option to schedule 30-minute meetings utilizing our desktop or mobile app. Registered attendees will receive an invitation to login to the app the week prior to the event.
4:30 - 5:30 PM: Networking Reception & Close
2026 SPEAKERs
The 2026 program is in development. Get updates and Inquire about speaking below.
Get Updates
If you’d like to know as soon as more information is available, please join the Dealmakers email list below.

Jacob Babcock
CEO
NuCurrent
Jacob Babcock
CEO, NUCURRENT, INC.
Jacob Babcock is CEO and Founder of NuCurrent, Inc., a venture-backed wireless power company based in Chicago. NuCurrent is the world’s leading wireless power technology company, launching more products into mass production than any other wireless power company across auto, consumer, medical and industrial segments. Key Licensees include Amphenol, Klipsch, Honeywell, Whoop and Samsung.
Jacob’s other experiences include: North American legal counsel for cleverbridge, Inc., a leading e-commerce provider for digital distribution; technology attorney at Foley & Lardner LLP, a 900-person global law firm; and high school teacher and football coach in St. Louis as part of Teach For America.
Jacob is a named inventor on over 30 patents, has a JD from Northwestern University School of Law, a BA from Indiana University, and lives in Chicago with his wife, two daughters and dog where he risks life and limb cheering for the Packers and Brewers.

Kurt Brasch
Director, IP Transactions
Uber
Kurt Brasch
DIRECTOR, IP TRANSACTIONS, UBER
Kurt Brasch is the director of patent transactions at Uber. Mr. Brasch focuses on reducing patent risk for Uber by leading inbound licensing negotiations, closing all patent transactions and managing cooperative community engagement. He has closed over 100 patent licensing and acquisition deals in his career. He is known for his innovative IP programs, having co-founded the Allied Transportation Association in 2021. In 2017, he launched and managed Uber’s UP3 Patent Purchase Program. Before joining Uber in October 2016, Kurt led strategic initiatives and patent divestitures for Google’s patent transactions team in addition to heading up multiple patent licence negotiations. He was named as one of the Top 10 IP Personalities of 2015 by IAM for his work creating and driving Google’s Patent Purchase Promotion and the Patent Starter Programme. Before Google, Mr Brasch had a 22-year career at Motorola in patent management/licensing and product management. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Arizona State University and an MBA from Northern Illinois University.

Elvir Causevic
Co-Founder & Managing Director
Tech+IP Advisory
Elvir Causevic
CO-FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR, TECH+IP ADVISORY
Dr. Elvir Causevic, Esq., is Co-Founder and Managing Director of Tech+IP Capital, a boutique investment bank empowering clients to realize tangible value from intangible assets.
Dr. Causevic was Co-Head of the Tech+IP Advisory Group at Houlihan Lokey, a $6B investment bank, after they acquired BSIP LLC, an IP boutique he founded. He was an MD at Ocean Tomo, heading Strategic Advisory Services and serving as technical and damages expert witness on patent infringement, licensing, and antitrust matters. Earlier he was on the faculty at Yale University, and founded three neurotechnology companies – two were acquired by Fortune 500s, and the third, BrainScope, is a maker of the only FDA-cleared concussion device. He is a named inventor on 30+ patents.
Dr. Causevic holds B.S., M.S. and D.Sc. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Washington University and a JD from the University of California Hastings College of Law, licensed to practice in Massachusetts.

Becca Cavin
Senior Corporate Counsel
Microsoft
Becca Cavin
SENIOR CORPORATE COUNSEL, MICROSOFT

Jon Calvert
Partner
ClearViewIP
Becca Cavin
SENIOR CORPORATE COUNSEL, MICROSOFT

Harish Daiya
Co-Founder & CEO
Lumenci
Harish Daiya
CO-FOUNDER & CEO, LUMENCI
Harish Daiya is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lumenci, a global PE backed IP platform helping organizations unlock and maximize the value of their IP across strategy, monetization, licensing, and litigation.
With nearly two decades of experience in intellectual property, Harish has advised leading law firms, Fortune 500 companies, patent owners, and investors across more than 250 matters globally, contributing to over $3.5 billion in IP value creation.
Under his leadership, Lumenci launched iLUMOS, an expert-powered AI platform for patent intelligence that combines more than a decade of frontline IP expertise with AI to transform how law firms, patent owners, and investors evaluate, manage, and monetize intellectual property.
As CEO, Harish leads Lumenci’s strategy and growth, including key client relationships, strategic partnerships, and the development of new businesses and technology platforms. He is also a serial entrepreneur, investor, and member of the Forbes Business Council.
Harish is a frequent writer and speaker on intellectual property, AI, legal technology, and IP strategy. He has spoken at forums including IP Dealmakers, with his perspectives featured in Forbes, Nasdaq, Authority Magazine, and CMSWire. He has been recognized by IAM Strategy 300: The World’s Leading IP Strategists for three consecutive years (2024–2026) and named an IAM Global Leader in 2025 and 2026. He also received the Vistage Impact Award in 2025 and IIT Kharagpur’s Young Alumni Achievement Award in 2024.
Harish holds a degree in Computer Science and Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur.

Timothy Dewberry
Partner
Folio Law Group
Timothy Dewberry
PARTNER, FOLIO LAW GROUP
Tim has spent more than 15 years representing both plaintiff and defendant clients in patent disputes in venues including United States District Courts, the International Trade Commission, and USPTO PTAB. In front of the PTAB Tim has represented clients in numerous IPR and Covered Business Method Patent proceedings, including several discretionary denial proceedings on behalf of patent holders. Tim also obtained a top 10 jury verdict ($43,000,000) in Texas in 2019 on behalf of Intellectual Ventures. As a registered patent attorney with a degree in electrical engineering, Tim brings his legal and technical expertise to bear on disputes involving a wide variety of technical fields such as wireless telecommunications standards, central processing unit substrates, networking, graphics processing, computer databases, capacitive touch sensors, and oil and gas extraction. His current practice focuses on assisting patent holders with increasing their return on investment in patent portfolios.

Patrick Diaz
CFO
VoiceAge EVS
Patrick Diaz
CFO, VOICEAGE EVS

Aaron Fahrenkrog
Partner
Robins Kaplan
Aaron Fahrenkrog
PARTNER, ROBINS KAPLAN

Patrick Fitch
Partner
Prince Lobel Tye
Patrick Fitch
PARTNER, PRINCE LOBEL TYE
Patrick A. Fitch is a partner at Prince Lobel Tye LLP, based in Boston. Pat has established himself as a go-to strategist and outside counsel for devising and executing creative and successful approaches to clients’ intellectual property enforcement efforts.
Pat represents clients in commercial, patent, and trade secret litigation in state and federal courts, as well as before the ITC and the PTAB. Pat began his career at Alston & Bird LLP as part of the small team that later established the Washington, DC office of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP. Pat later worked at Intellectual Ventures, where he developed and managed IP monetization campaigns, before returning to private practice. In addition to his U.S. litigation practice, Pat coordinates global strategies for cross-border IP licensing campaigns. He also advises clients in the purchase and sale of IP assets and in securing capital for IP monetization efforts.

Russell Genet
Managing Director
Longford Capital
Russell Genet
MANAGING DIRECTOR, LONGFORD CAPITAL
Russell J. Genet is a Managing Director at Longford Capital, responsible for investment sourcing, underwriting and monitoring. Russ has over 25 years experience representing clients in enforcing intellectual property rights in a wide array of industries. Russ has litigated complex intellectual property matters in federal courts throughout the United States and before the Federal Circuit. He has prosecuted patent applications and represented clients in interferences, ex parte reexaminations, and inter partes reviews in the U.S. Patent Office. He has been recognized by Chambers for Litigation Finance in IP, LawDragon as Global Leader in Litigation Finance, and as an Illinois Super Lawyer. Prior to joining Longford, Russ was a partner in the international law firm, Nixon Peabody LLP where he served as leader of the firm’s IP Litigation practice group. He is a graduate of Purdue University, with a degree in electrical engineering, and Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Hon. Derek T. Gilliland
U.S. Magistrate Judge
Western District of Texas
Hon. Derek T. Gilliland
U.S. MAGISTRATE JUDGE, WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
Derek T. Gilliland serves as a United States Magistrate Judge for the Western District of Texas in the Waco Division. In that role he oversees federal civil and criminal cases, with a significant number of patent cases on his docket. He also handles the divisions central violations bureau cases and the VETS (Veterans Endeavor for Treatment and Support) Court that assists active and former military personnel who are charged with crimes and struggling with mental health issues. Judge Gilliland is a registered patent attorney, and for twenty-four years before taking the bench, he worked in private practice as a trial lawyer primarily handling patent cases throughout the country. He is a 1998 graduate of Baylor Law School, where he graduated magna cum laude, and was ranked second in his graduating class. Before law school he worked as an engineer for a defense contractor after graduating magna cum laude from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

Thomas Gniadek
Co-Head Patent Litigation
Hoffman Eitle
THOMAS GNIADEK
CO-HEAD PATENT LITIGATION, HOFFMAN EITLE
Dr Thomas Gniadek is one of Germany’s leading patent litigators and a prominent representative before the Unified Patent Court (UPC). As Co-Head of HOFFMANN EITLE’s patent litigation group, he leads a team of lawyers and patent attorneys advising clients across electronics, semiconductors, telecoms, software, cybersecurity, IoT, automotive and medtech. Thomas ranks among the Top-5 UPC representatives by number of substantive decisions involved.
HOFFMANN EITLE has the highest number of registered UPC representatives worldwide, with 108, and has handled more than 130 UPC litigation cases since the Court’s launch. The firm is also the leading filer of patent applications at the European Patent Office (EPO) and has a strong track record in EPO opposition proceedings.
Thomas is driven by his clients’ business objectives and brings decades of experience to every case. Clients particularly appreciate his “assertive litigation style” and describe him as “very good, energetic,” “working very hard to provide excellent results,” and “a tough fighter, but pragmatic and solution-oriented.”

Hamad Hamad
Principal
Caldwell, Cassady & Curry
Hamad Hamad
PRINCIPAL, CALDWELL, CASSADY & CURRY

Sarah Jaeger
Director, Licensing
Nokia
Sarah Jaeger
DIRECTOR, LICENSING, NOKIA

Kenneth Jenq
Director, Legal (IP, Product and Litigation)
Abnormal Security
Kenneth Jenq
DIRECTOR, LEGAL (IP, PRODUCT AND LITIGATION), ABNORMAL SECURITY
Kenneth Jenq is the current head of intellectual property at Abnormal Security, a leading AI email and cloud based security company headquartered in San Francisco. A former engineer turned patent litigator, Kenneth has significant courtroom experience with hundreds of court appearances, including oral arguments and first chairing trials in state and federal court.

Ken Kaskoun
Chief Growth Officer
InterDigital
Ken Kaskoun
CHIEF GROWTH OFFICER, INTERDIGITAL
Ken Kaskoun is InterDigital’s EVP, Chief Growth Officer. Mr. Kaskoun joined InterDigital in February 2024 from the life sciences company, SomaLogic, where he was Sr. VP of Strategy and Business Development. Prior to SomaLogic Mr. Kaskoun spent 15 years at Qualcomm in various IP-related roles. Mr. Kaskoun’s last role at Qualcomm was VP of the Strategy and Analysis team in the Qualcomm Technology Licensing business unit (QTL). In this role, Mr. Kaskoun was a key driver of the yearly strategic planning process, led the analysis of potential new licensing programs and was the QTL lead in M&A due diligence. Before Qualcomm, Mr. Kaskoun spent over 15 years in the semiconductor field. Mr. Kaskoun has a BSEE from Old Dominion University and a JD from the University of San Diego. He is a member of the State Bar of California and a named inventor on more than 30 patents and applications.

Ivan Kirchev
Chief Patent Counsel
Argonne National Laboratory
Ivan Kirchev
CHIEF PATENT COUNSEL, ARGONNE NATIONAL LABORATORY

Robert Kramer
Managing Partner & Founder
Kramer
Robert Kramer
MANAGING PARTNER & FOUNDER, KRAMER
Rob Kramer is a passionate courtroom champion of his clients’ inventions, and is nationally known as among the very best and most experienced patent litigators in the country. He has been named by IP Law360 a “Legal Lion” for his lead counsel patent infringement jury trial victories. Lawdragon named Rob to the 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America for his work in Intellectual Property Litigation. He was also named to IAM 1000’s distinguished list of top patent litigators for year 2026, which described Rob as “enjoy[ing] a national reputation for his trial expertise, with wisdom distilled from three decades of experience.” In 2026 and for nearly 20 years, Rob was also peer selected as a “Northern California Super Lawyer” in IP Litigation, reserved for the top 5% of attorneys nationally. And he was named to IAM 300’s prestigious national list of the top 300 IP strategists in 2025 and 2026.
Consecutively, in 2023 and 2024, Rob was selected by California’s premier legal publication, The California Daily Journal, to its prestigious list of Top Plaintiff’s Attorneys of The Year. “Robert Kramer has spent more than three decades fighting for innovators’ rights in intellectual property law, driven by a deep fascination with technology and a commitment to protecting inventors. As a leading IP litigator, Kramer has built a career representing universities and innovative companies against some of the world’s largest technology corporations,” reported The California Daily Journal (Nov. 20, 2024). Likewise, Rob has been called a “fabulous trial lawyer” who “won a complete victory for defendant in a six patent case” by The Legal 500 US, which described Rob and his team as being “consistently excellent” and creating “a comprehensive strategy based on patent knowledge, the industry landscape and opposing counsel.” And he received a top national ranking in Patexia’s Report of Best Patent Litigators being named to the top 30 patent litigators in the country.
Recently, Rob was lead counsel for plaintiff winning a $172.6 million jury verdict of willful infringement against Micro Focus Corp., a Hewlett-Packard spin-off company that acquired HP’s software business. This resounding victory was the largest jury verdict in the history of the Sherman Division of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Rob was likewise lead trial counsel winning two major jury trials in the widely followed Finisar litigation, one of the largest patent infringement cases in the country between competitor optical networking companies. The jury returned a verdict in favor of Mr. Kramer’s client in two trials, and within two hours of his closing argument in the second of these heavily fought jury trials.

Brian Landry
Partner
Saul Ewing
Brian Landry
PARTNER, SAUL EWING

Erez Levy
Managing Director & Co-CIO, IP
Fortress Investment Group
Erez Levy
MANAGING DIRECTOR & CO-CIO, IP, FORTRESS INVESTMENT GROUP
Mr. Levy is the Deputy CIO of the Fortress Intellectual Property Opportunities Fund II and a Managing Director in Fortress’s Intellectual Property Group, where he focuses on a wide variety of investment opportunities in connection with intellectual property, technology and life-sciences.
Prior to joining Fortress in 2013, Mr. Levy was a co-founder of Koru Ventures, an asset-based lending fund that provided technology companies with capital in the form of patent backed loans. Before Koru Ventures, Mr. Levy served as a Managing Director with TriplePoint Capital, a leading global specialty finance company providing financing solutions to venture capital backed companies throughout their lifespan.
Prior to joining TriplePoint Capital, Mr. Levy served as a senior investment banker in JPMorgan’s technology investment banking group in San Francisco, where he worked with many leading technology, high growth companies, and private equity clients. Mr. Levy was responsible for raising capital and providing advice on mergers and acquisitions to the firm’s clients.
Prior to JPMorgan, Mr. Levy was an investment banker at Hambrecht & Quist, a leading technology and life-sciences investment bank. Mr. Levy was involved with several of the firm’s equity investments in leading technology and high-growth companies.
Mr. Levy received a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of California at Berkeley.

Sal Lim
Partner & Co-Founder
Alberti Lim & Tonkovich
Sal Lim
PARTNER & CO-FOUNDER, ALBERTI LIM & TONKOVICH

Benedetta Arese Lucini
Founder
Atom AI
Benedetta Arese Lucini
FOUNDER, ATOM AI
Noel Egnatios is the CEO and Chief Legal Officer at DivX, a leading video technology company based in San Diego, CA that has been innovating in the video codec and streaming space for over 20 years. Noel is a longtime DivX employee who shepherded the growth of the company’s IP portfolio and spearheaded pivotal corporate transactions and licensing deals. She now directs DivX’s IP protection and enforcement programs and manages DivX’s consumer and business licensing efforts. Before joining DivX, she advised companies on IP portfolio management, enforcement and licensing matters. She began her career in private practice at Cooley, where she oversaw the portfolios of major Silicon Valley technology companies and represented wireless technology firms in global patent litigation and arbitration.

Mitsuaki Matsumura
Head of IP Licensing, AP and EMEA
IBM
Mitsuaki Matsumura
HEAD OF IP LICENSING, AP AND EMEA, IBM
Mitsuaki Matsumura is Head of IP Licensing for Asia Pacific and EMEA at IBM, where he leads regional patent licensing, assignment, and strategic partnering initiatives. He works closely with technology partners and counterparties to enable the commercial deployment of emerging technologies, including AI, quantum computing, and advanced semiconductor processes. Before joining IBM, he was Senior Counsel at NTT DOCOMO, responsible for SEP licensing programs, strategic technology alliances, and cross‑border M&A transactions. He holds a PhD in Law from Kyoto University, an LL.M. in Law, Science, and Technology from Stanford University, and an LL.B. from Doshisha University.

Jack McKinney
Director, IP
HP
Jack McKinney
DIRECTOR OF 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 business. 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 recent note, Mr. McKinney has successfully managed HP’s negotiations for a number of inbound SEP licenses.

Micky Minhas
SVP, Technology and Corporate Development
Avanci
Micky Minhas
MICKY MINHAS, SVP, TECHNOLOGY AND CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT, AVANCI

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.

Natalie Parker
VP, Contingent Risk Practice
CAC, part of The Baldwin Group
Natalie Parker
VP, CONTINGENT RISK PRACTICE, CAC, part of The Baldwin Group
Natalie Parker is a Vice President for the Contingent Risk Practice at CAC Specialty, focusing on providing clients with insurance solutions that address intellectual property-related risks. Natalie’s diverse patent and appellate background, both as a litigator and as an investment team member at a litigation funder, enable her to approach potential insurance and financing solutions creatively and efficiently.
Prior to joining CAC Specialty, Natalie was at Omni Bridgeway, one of the world’s largest corporate litigation finance groups, where she performed due diligence and monitored investments in multi-million-dollar patent disputes. Natalie also clerked for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and practiced law at Holland & Knight (previously Thompson & Knight) with a focus on intellectual property, appellate, and commercial litigation.
Natalie graduated magna cum laude from the SMU Dedman School of Law and received her B.A. in International Studies from the University of Richmond.

Hon. Roy Payne
U.S. Magistrate Judge
Eastern District of Texas
Hon. Roy Payne
U.S. MAGISTRATE JUDGE, EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
Judge Howell is a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Austin Division of the Western District of Texas. He’s graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and Texas Tech University School of Law. He started his legal career as a law clerk to Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson of the Supreme Court of Texas. He then worked as a trial and appellate litigator in the Austin offices of Baker Botts and McKool Smith, and as an Assistant Solicitor General in the Texas Attorney General’s Office. He is board certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Prior to joining the federal bench, Judge Howell served for over three years as a state district judge for Travis County, Texas. He lives in Austin with his wife and four boys, ages 5, 7, 12, and 14.

Greg Penoyer
Assistant GC
Hyper Solutions
Greg Penoyer
GREG PENOYER, ASSISTANT GC, HYPER SOLUTIONS
Greg leads the Product Counseling function at SimpliSafe, a Boston-based home security company. In this role, he partners with technical and business leaders to navigate the legal and compliance issues that arise throughout the development, launch, and sustainment of SimpliSafe’s hardware, software, and service offerings. His responsibilities span technology, intellectual property, and supply chain matters – covering product development and commercialization, supplier relationships, and operational compliance – with a focus on delivering clear, practical guidance that drives efficient and balanced outcomes.
Before joining SimpliSafe, Greg practiced law in the Boston offices of several international firms, advising clients on strategic patent and trademark portfolio development, IP litigation, and technology transactions. He brings a blend of deep intellectual property expertise and pragmatic judgment to help teams innovate confidently while managing risk responsibly.

Jinnie Reed
General Counsel
Qomplx
Jinnie Reed
GENERAL COUNSEL, QOMPLX
Jinnie Reed serves as General Counsel at Qomplx, LLC, a research and development company pioneering innovations in cybersecurity, analytics, simulation, and AI to create a more productive, accessible, and secure world.
Before joining Qomplx, Jinnie advised companies on developing strategic IP monetization frameworks across jurisdictions. Distinguished by her ability to resolve critical issues and implement growth initiatives, Jinnie possesses a unique ability to leverage intellectual property as a value driver and competitive advantage. She excels at understanding stakeholder motivations and invigorating teams around common objectives. Known for her mantra “let’s fix what’s broken and then build what’s possible,” Jinnie combines legal expertise with commercial acumen to transform innovative technologies into sustainable revenue streams.

Adam S. Rizk
Member & Co-Chair, ITC Practice
Mintz
Adam S. Rizk
MEMBER & CO-CHAIR, ITC PRACTICE, MINTZ

Francis Rushford
Head of IP Finance
Pretium
Francis Rushford
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.

Matteo Sabattini
Executive Advisor, Government Affairs
Sisvel
Dr. Matteo Sabattini
EXECUTIVE ADVISOR, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, SISVEL
Matteo Sabattini is Executive Head of Government Affairs, guiding Sisvel’s policy and advocacy efforts.
Before taking on his current role, Dr Sabattini served as president and chief licensing officer of Convida, a joint venture between InterDigital and Sony Corporation of America. Prior to that, he was Ericsson’s director of IP policy. He was also formerly CTO of the Sisvel Group and president and CEO of Sisvel Technology.
Dr Sabattini is a recognised thought leader in the IP space, with years of expertise in technology licensing and IP strategy. He has published extensively and regularly speaks at industry events on IP matters. He holds an MBA from the George Washington University, a PhD in electrical engineering from the University of California, San Diego, and a Laurea Magistrale magna cum laude in electrical engineering from the University of Bologna.
Dr Sabattini is a member of the board of the Licensing Executive Society International (LESI). He is an IEEE senior member, a Beta Gamma Sigma lifetime member, as well as a member of the MIT Enterprise Forum. He is active in the community and has served on several boards of non-profit organizations. He is an avid skier and a mediocre surfer.

Mark Siegmund
Partner
Cherry Johnson Siegmund James
Mark Siegmund
PARTNER, CHERRY JOHNSON SIEGMUND JAMES
Mark D. Siegmund is a seasoned trial lawyer who brings the discipline, resilience, and strategic mindset honed during his service in the US Marine Corps to his thriving legal practice. As a proud Marine, Mark faced some of the most demanding challenges imaginable, shaping him into the tenacious and determined advocate he is today.
During his time in the Marine Corps, Mark learned to remain calm and focused under pressure, qualities that seamlessly translate into the legal arena. Mark has secured multiple successful jury verdicts on both sides of the “v”, including one of the largest jury verdicts in the U.S. in 2023. He has built a reputation as a fearless advocate, handling high-stakes litigation with a strategic focus on trial success. Whether representing individuals or corporations, Mark approaches every case with meticulous preparation, a deep understanding of the law, and an eye toward trial from the outset. Prior to beginning in private practice, Mark clerked for United States Federal District Judge Alan D Albright, giving him a unique and advantageous perspective for handling litigation matters. Mark is a member of American Board of Trial Advocates and graduated Baylor Law as the top graduate in his class.

Patricia Stepp
AVP, Technology Transfer
Rice University
Patricia Stepp
ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT FOR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, RICE UNIVERSITY
Patricia Stepp is the Assistant Vice President for Technology Transfer at Rice University, where she leads the Office of Technology Transfer. She oversees a multidisciplinary team that helps commercialize Rice technologies by managing Rice’s patent portfolio, licensing Rice’s IP, and drafting and negotiating related research contracts. Her role involves building relationships across Rice University, the Texas Medical Center, and the broader Houston innovation ecosystem. Previously, she served as Director of Intellectual Property – Life Sciences at Skysong Innovations, Arizona State University’s technology transfer office. Her career also includes roles as a Patent Agent at Sealed Air Corporation and Pepper Hamilton LLP.
Patricia holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Arkansas. Her early career included research roles at the University of Pittsburgh and the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry in Prague, focusing on cartilage repair and molecular biology.

Coke Morgan Stewart
Former Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for IP & Deputy Director
USPTO
Coke Morgan Stewart
FORMER DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY OF COMMERCE FOR IP & DEPUTY DIRECTOR, USPTO

Jeff Tang
Chief IP Counsel
Circle
Coke Morgan Stewart
FORMER DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY OF COMMERCE FOR IP & DEPUTY DIRECTOR, USPTO

Steven Udick
Director, IP Litigation
Klein Tools
Steven Udick
DIRECTOR, IP LITIGATION, KLEIN TOOLS

Jonathan K. Waldrop
Partner & Chair, IP Group
Kasowitz
Jonathan K. Waldrop
PARTNER & CHAIR, IP GROUP, KASOWITZ
Jonathan K. Waldrop, Chair of Kasowitz’s Intellectual Property group, represents industry-leading companies in patent and trademark litigation involving interactive web technologies, video-on-demand telecommunications, cable technology, computer-assisted sales processes, medical devices, cooking ovens, gaming systems and complex financial transactions. He is also experienced in handling commercial and antitrust litigation matters.
Jon’s clients include Google, LG, ASUS, Uber and Adobe, world-leading global technology companies, and Cox Communications, the third largest cable television provider in the United States. He has acted as lead trial counsel in many cases for his clients and has a history of achieving favorable jury verdicts, including his representation of Google and YouTube in a case with such broad potential implications that Wired.com declared, “Texas Jury Strikes Down Patent Troll’s Claim to Own the Interactive Web.” In a separate patent litigation, Jon achieved a verdict touted as the largest verdict of the year in the district in which it was handed down.
Jon is regularly recognized by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, IAM Patent 1000, IP Stars, Best Lawyers, and Super Lawyers. He was named an Intellectual Property Trailblazer by The National Law Journal, as well as a Top Intellectual Property Lawyer and a Top Plaintiff Lawyer in California by The Daily Journal, both of which annually honor individuals who have advanced their intellectual property practice through the use of innovative, creative and winning strategies. He was also named California Practitioner of the Year in Litigation by Managing IP Americas and as a Leading Lawyer in America and a Leading Litigator in America by Lawdragon. Jon was shortlisted for a Diversity & Inclusion: Outstanding Contribution Award by Chambers USA and listed among the Black Leaders Worth Watching by Profiles in Diversity Journal. Jon also earned the National Institute for Trial Advocacy’s “Master Advocate” designation, and is a fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America’s Trial Lawyer Honorary Society, in which less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers are invited to join.

Mike Waltrip
Senior Executive, IP Strategy and Commercialization
SRI
Michael Waltrip
SENIOR EXECUTIVE, IP STRATEGY AND COMMERCIALIZATION, SRI

Keith Wilson
EVP, Partnerships and Acquisitions
IPValue Management
Keith Wilson
EVP, PARTNERSHIPS AND ACQUISITIONS, IPVALUE MANAGEMENT
Keith Wilson, Executive Vice President, Partnerships and Acquisitions, IPValue Management Inc.
Keith Wilson is executive vice president, partnerships and acquisitions, at IPValue Management Inc. IPValue’s mission is to generate value for leading innovative enterprises by licensing their patented inventions. IPValue has returned well over $1bn to high-tech enterprises from its licensing activities and, over the past five years, has acquired rights to over 10,000 patents. Mr Wilson has over 30 years of experience in intellectual property law, licensing, and management. Before joining IPValue, Mr Wilson was vice president, general and IP Counsel at Solus Microtechnologies, a venture capital-funded technology company. Mr Wilson worked for over a decade for Litton Industries, a $5bn technology company, in a number of technical, legal, and executive positions, including chief IP counsel. Mr Wilson has a BS in electrical engineering from UC Berkeley and a law degree from University of California College of Law, San Francisco.

Katharine Wolanyk
Managing Director
Burford Capital
Katharine Wolanyk
MANAGING DIRECTOR, BURFORD CAPITAL
Katharine Wolanyk is Managing Director and Global Head of Burford Capital’s intellectual property business.
Ms. Wolanyk is an IP industry leader, with recognitions including Chambers Band 1 for IP litigation funding, the IAM Strategy 300, and the Lawdragon 100 global leaders in legal finance. Ms. Wolanyk has served as a public company Board Director at Acacia Research Corporation. Prior to joining Burford in 2015, she was President of Soverain Software; General Counsel of an internet hosting services provider; SVP of corporate development at a publicly-traded enterprise software company; and a corporate attorney at Latham & Watkins. Before law school, she was a systems engineer at Hughes Aircraft Company, where she worked on the radar system for the B-2 Stealth Bomber. Ms. Wolanyk earned her JD from the University of Chicago Law School and a BS in engineering from Michigan State University.

Cheng Yu
Licensing Director
Xiaomi
Cheng Yu
LICENSING DIRECTOR, XIAOMI
Cheng Yu has an extensive career spanning over 20 years, during which he has held positions at several renowned multinational enterprises. He has ramped up expertise notably in patent licensing and litigation areas, in which he has garnered substantial experience and developed unique insights since joining Xiaomi in 2019. Prior to his tenure at Xiaomi, he oversaw patent portfolio management and supervised patent-related affairs for research and development sites across China, India, and Korea. He is familiar with fields of telecommunications, video codecs, and other ICT technologies. He is dually qualified as a Chinese lawyer and Chinese patent attorney. He is the chair of the IP Valuation Committee at LES China.

Feng Zhou
VP, Head of IP
Insitro
Feng Zhou
VP, HEAD OF IP, INSITRO
Join over 120 Senior IP owners, innovators, practitioners, and decision-makers in meaningful, substance-driven conversations. Attending companies in 2025 included:
- AIOTEntropy
- Akin
- Argonne National Laboratory
- Arnold & Porter
- ASE Monetization
- BASF
- CAC Group
- Careband
- CAsE Analysis
- Cherry Johnson Siegmund James
- CLEARVIEWIP
- Davis Firm
- Eversheds Sutherland
- Folio Law Group
- FoX Group Investments
- GreyB
- Haynes Boone
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise
- Hilco Global
- HIMPP
- Houlihan Lokey
- HP
- IBM
- Ignite Specialty Risk
- Innovator Energy
- InterDigital
- Insitro
- Invenio
- IP Copilot
- IPMAP
- IPValue
- KA Global IP
- Kasowitz
- KPPB
- LOT Network
- McKool Smith
- Morris James
- Nixon Peabody
- NK Patent Law
- NLPatent
- NXP Semiconductors
- OVH Cloud
- Owens Corning
- Parabellum Capital
- Patent Watch
- Patlytics
- PayPal
- Philips
- PMC Group
- Polsinelli
- Providentia Law
- PurpleVine IP
- Qomplx
- Quinn Pacific
- Red Chalk
- Relativity Space
- ResMed
- Rose City IP
- Simmons & Simmons
- Simplisafe
- Sisvel
- Solventum
- Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox
- SuperNoval + Tandem
- Susman Godfrey
- TD Bank
- Tech+IP
- Techson IP
- Tennant Company
- Thompson Hine
- TRGP Capital
- UL Solutions
- Validity Finance
- Winstead
- WRL Technology Advisors
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read more about OUR
2026 SPONSORS
Platinum sponsor

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.
GOLD sponsors

Burford Capital is the leading global finance and asset management firm focused on law. Its businesses include litigation finance and risk management, asset recovery and a wide range of legal finance and advisory activities. Burford is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BUR) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: BUR), and it works with companies and law firms around the world.

CAC is now part of The Baldwin Group. Together, we deliver greater specialization, expanded capabilities, and deeper expertise to help clients navigate today’s evolving risk landscape. By combining CAC’s industry and product expertise with Baldwin’s national platform and distribution network, we provide seamless access to a full suite of risk management solutions. Our unified team serves clients across retail, specialty, reinsurance (including London and Bermuda), and MGA platforms.

Caldwell Cassady & Curry is one of the nation’s premier intellectual property law firms, having helped clients realize the full value of their IP assets with billions of dollars in jury verdicts, settlements, and licensing agreements. The firm’s experienced team includes multiple former federal clerks and attorneys with advanced degrees in engineering, data science, and other areas key to innovation. In addition to record-setting courtroom results, Caldwell Cassady & Curry is known for effectively resolving cross-border disputes and securing lucrative licensing agreements for IP leaders worldwide.

Cherry Johnson Siegmund James is a powerhouse litigation firm built for high-stakes intellectual property disputes. With experience in hundreds of patent cases—including in the Western and Eastern Districts of Texas and before the USPTO—we bring rare procedural insight into venues that matter most. From offices in Central & East Texas to Palo Alto, we represent clients across the U.S., Asia, and Europe in industries including software, machine learning, mobile apps, semiconductors, and medical devices. We combine courtroom experience with technical fluency as former engineers, inventors, and entrepreneurs. Whether enforcing rights, building value, or going to trial—we protect what sets your business apart.

Folio Law Group PLLC is a leading intellectual property firm with a presence in Seattle, Silicon Valley, and Austin. The firm specializes in patent monetization, defense, and complex technology disputes, combining seasoned trial attorneys with former engineers to deliver technically rigorous and persuasive advocacy. Since 2020, Folio has generated over $200 million for clients through litigation, licensing, and strategic transactions. The team is recognized for its deep patent expertise, courtroom strength, and results-driven approach.

Longford Capital is a leading private investment company providing capital to law firms, public and private companies, universities, and others involved in large-scale, commercial legal disputes. Longford was one of the first litigation funds in the U.S. and is among the world’s largest litigation finance companies with more than $1.2 billion in assets under management. Longford offers a range of solutions to fund litigation costs and manage the financial risks of litigation. The firm invests in a variety of areas, including, contract breaches, antitrust/trade regulation, intellectual property (patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret), bankruptcy, arbitrations, insurance matters, and mass/class actions.

Mintz is a litigation powerhouse and business accelerator serving leaders in life sciences, private equity, energy, and technology. As a leading advisor to innovators, investors, and market leaders, Mintz guides clients through IP-driven transactions, including licensing, collaborations, financings, M&A, and strategic partnerships. The firm’s integrated team of IP, transactional, and industry-focused attorneys combines technical, legal, and commercial insight to help clients unlock value from their innovations, execute transformative deals, and achieve their business objectives. Mintz has over 600 attorneys across offices in Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Toronto, and Washington, DC.

Nokia is a global leader in connectivity for the AI era, providing the critical network infrastructure the world relies on. Every day, we’re powering our customers with advanced connectivity across fixed, mobile, and transport networks, delivering the performance and security they need to meet the demands of an AI-enabled future.

Pretium is an alternative investment management firm with over $65 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.

Robins Kaplan LLP is a national trial law firm with a long history of extraordinary courtroom victories in high stakes intellectual property and technology disputes. We have led multiple enforcement campaigns on behalf of IP rights holders where recoveries in each exceeded $100 million. We zealously represent and share risk with a broad range of clients, including some of world’s largest technology-oriented companies, innovative emerging companies, as well as individual inventors, authors, and developers.

SITAO IP, established in 2018, is a China-based intellectual property firm focused on patent monetization and value realization. The firm provides integrated technical, legal, and commercial support for patent licensing, transactions, enforcement, and dispute resolution. SITAO’s seasoned team has extensive experience in SEP/FRAND licensing, portfolio evaluation, and monetization programs involving multi-jurisdiction coordination. By combining technical insight, legal expertise, and commercial strategy, SITAO helps clients unlock and maximize the value of their global patent assets. We believe great innovation should be respected and rewarded, and strive to help clients “Attain the True Value of Great IP.”

Spencer Fane is a full-service law firm with more than 750 attorneys across 39 offices coast to coast and 41 service areas. We work to unlock and add value in new and inventive ways, bringing clear, practical counsel to clients across industries while staying grounded in the values that shape our culture: humility, inclusivity, collaboration, and a fierce resolve to win. Our approach has made us one of the highest-performing firms nationally in workplace satisfaction, client satisfaction, growth, and innovation. Our award-winning Intellectual Property team reflects that same approach, helping clients protect, commercialize, and maximize the long-term value of their ideas and innovations.

Tech+IP Capital leverages a unique blend of industry knowledge, Wall Street banking experience, and large-scale IP monetization expertise to create bespoke solutions for assets not best measured by EBITDA. Our deep expertise in assessing the intrinsic financial value of intangible assets allows us to design tailored monetization strategies for any context. With a proven track record of executing Tech+IP M&A transactions and financings through changing market conditions, we have consistently helped our clients maximize the value of their IP. Our success is reflected in the significant financial gains and strategic advantages our clients achieve, demonstrating our commitment to exceptional results.
SILVER sponsors

Atom connects high growth companies with innovators holding valuable technologies. We support the full path from discovery to contract, whether licensing or acquiring IP, or full acquisition, acting as a bridge between research, startups and industry to facilitate the technology and knowledge transfer. We support this process by acting as the first point of contact with the inventors providing anonymised support to the companies we work with to get them the most competitive deals.

Avanci is an independent provider of one-stop joint licensing solutions, bringing efficiency, convenience and predictability to patent licensing at the intersection of different industries.From our first open platform for connected vehicles, we have grown to offer programs for aftermarket auto products, connected EV chargers and smart meters, ATSC 3.0 / NEXTGEN TV devices, and video technologies used by internet streaming providers.Avanci Solutions provides tailored solutions for industries and technologies without existing open platforms.

Since its foundation in 2007, ClearViewIP has been delivering strategic and business-transforming IP advice to our valued clients. Our team has decades of experience, including spending 5 years running the Global IP Advisory practice of one of the Big 4. Whether the context is IP transactions, fund raising, M&A, licensing, industry collaboration, risk & compliance management, AI transformation, tax & incentives related, our services help organisations across the globe to maximise value through the identification, protection, management and commercialisation of intangible assets.

Cleary Gottlieb is an international law firm of over 1,100 lawyers from over 50 countries, working across practices, industries, jurisdictions, and continents to provide clients with simple, actionable approaches to their most complex legal and business challenges. Since our founding, we have pioneered an integrated global partnership that puts the firm's full breadth of experience behind every client. From patent disputes to cross-border arbitrations, our lawyers combine deep knowledge with the strategic judgment clients need to protect what matters most.

Fortress is a $49.3 billion global alternative asset manager, headquartered in New York, with over 900 employees, serving approximately 2,000 institutions and private investors. Fortress Credit business was launched in 2002 by Pete Briger. The Fortress Credit and Real Estate Platform of more than 600 people is a recognized leader in the private lender space and has invested over $195 billion in thousands of transactions across varied asset types, capital structures, and credits.

Haley Guiliano handles high-stakes IP challenges. Our clients include start-ups and established businesses, across engineering and life science technologies. HG crafts and implements scaled solutions to support our clients' needs throughout the full lifecycle of IP; from securing rights to monetization. While HG is focused on meeting its clients' needs today, the firm is dedicated to developing the next generation of IP leadership to ensure long-term support for its clients' strategies.

HOFFMANN EITLE is one of the few market-leading patent law firms in Europe, providing mixed teams of both patent attorneys and attorneys-at-law (lawyers) across eight offices in Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain. The firm is the market-leader in EPO opposition proceedings and files more EP patent applications than any other firm. With 108 UPC Representatives, again the highest number of any firm worldwide, HOFFMANN EITLE is uniquely positioned to advise its clients on UPC litigation.

InterDigital develops mobile and video technologies that are at the core of devices, networks, and services worldwide. We solve many of the industry’s most critical and complex technical challenges, inventing solutions for more efficient broadband networks, better video delivery, and richer multimedia experiences years ahead of market deployment. InterDigital has licenses and strategic relationships with many of the world’s leading technology companies.

IPValue’s mission is to fuel innovation by working with leading technology enterprises to unlock value from their intellectual property portfolios. Since inception in 2001, IPValue has generated billions of dollars from patent licenses for its partners, while promoting freedom to operate and delivering other strategic benefits. IPValue currently owns and manages the commercialization of over 10,000 patents representing the creative works of thousands of inventors.

Kasowitz LLP’s core focus is commercial litigation, complemented by our exceptionally strong intellectual property, bankruptcy/restructuring and real estate transactional practices. We have extensive trial experience and are always trial-ready, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in every area of litigation. Our clients include Fortune 500 companies, private equity and other investment firms across a wide range of industries, including significant experience across financial services, technology and real estate.

Kramer LLP is a nationally recognized patent litigation law firm representing inventors and patent owners against the world’s largest infringers. The firm’s 20 technically trained patent trial attorneys in Silicon Valley, New York City, Austin, Boston, and Washington, D.C. are proven litigators, bold thinkers, and innovative strategists combining trial experience and strategic insight to win for clients in the courts and PTO. This elite firm is trusted by leading litigation funders and clients to win the largest cases.

Lumenci is a full-lifecycle intellectual property platform enabling end-to-end patent value creation across strategy, monetization, licensing, and litigation, helping patent owners, law firms and funders unlock and maximize innovation value. Headquartered in Austin with a global presence, Lumenci brings experts together, delivering over $3.5B in verdicts, settlements, & cost savings.

Misra IP Litigation is a patent litigation strategy firm focused on litigation funding, underwriting, and IP monetization. The firm advises funders, patent owners, and investors on case selection, diligence, and strategy, while working directly with inventors and businesses to develop and execute IP monetization strategies through litigation, licensing, or acquisition.

Prince Lobel Tye LLP is a full-service law firm headquartered in Boston. The firm’s IP group focuses on monetization programs, often beginning at the mining stage with a tested process to select patents and craft an assertion strategy supported by the firm’s trial-tested litigation team. Prince Lobel partners with clients to reach practical, profitable resolutions. The firm’s IP partners have earned clients more than $1 billion in revenue from licensing and settlements to date.

Saul Ewing is a full-service, law firm with specialized practices in IP and Litigation Finance. Our attorneys advise litigation funders, investors, insurers and other clients by underwriting and analyzing litigation risks surrounding potential litigation claims, jury verdicts, case merits, and appeals of intellectual property, patent, trade secret, and commercial cases.

Sisvel is driven by a belief in the importance of collaboration, ingenuity and efficiency to bridge the needs of patent owners and those who wish to access their technologies. In a complex and constantly evolving marketplace, our guiding principle is to create a level playing field with the development and implementation of flexible, accessible, commercialisation solutions.
bronze sponsorS

Adeia (Nasdaq: ADEA) is the technology company known for developing foundational innovations that enable next-generation solutions for the semiconductor and media industries. We invent and license foundational technologies that shape the future of digital entertainment, electronics, and high-performance computing. Our portfolio transforms technologies into an experience that is intelligent, immersive, and personal.

Limewater maximizes IP value for clients from startups to multibillion-dollar firms. Our partners bring 75+ years of expertise litigating, licensing, and managing portfolios across diverse technology areas. We identify monetization opportunities aligned with the strategies of clients and investors alike, delivering consistent returns while mitigating risk.

Techquity Growth Capital fuels growth for IP-rich companies with non-dilutive funding and strategic guidance. Leveraging 100+ years of expertise in tech focused venture capital, IP, new venture creation, and M&A, TGC provides growth stage companies with private capital solutions to transform proven innovation into lasting success.

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.
Networking Reception Sponsor

Alberti Lim is a nationally recognized, Silicon Valley-based patent litigation firm built around a singular focus: the patent holder. Since 2011, its technically trained trial lawyers have won patent disputes across district courts, the ITC, PTAB, and the Federal Circuit, including 19 consecutive IPR wins and a record-setting $172.5 million verdict, the largest in Sherman, Texas history. The firm is recognized by Chambers & Partners, IAM Patent 1000, Best Lawyers, Patexia, and NLJ Top Verdicts.
Women's Event SPONSORs

Robins Kaplan LLP is a national trial law firm with a long history of extraordinary courtroom victories in high stakes intellectual property and technology disputes. We have led multiple enforcement campaigns on behalf of IP rights holders where recoveries in each exceeded $100 million. We zealously represent and share risk with a broad range of clients, including some of world’s largest technology-oriented companies, innovative emerging companies, as well as individual inventors, authors, and developers.

Techquity Growth Capital fuels growth for IP-rich companies with non-dilutive funding and strategic guidance. Leveraging 100+ years of expertise in tech focused venture capital, IP, new venture creation, and M&A, TGC provides growth stage companies with private capital solutions to transform proven innovation into lasting success.
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Insight. Access. Commercial Outcomes.
IP Dealmakers Annual Forum is the premier gathering for those actively shaping the IP market, from strategy and monetization 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
13+ hours of dedicated networking time designed for real conversations
25+ focused sessions on industry challenges and opportunities
Why Should you Attend as:
Corporate IP Leaders & Operating Companies
Benchmark your IP strategy, strengthen the internal case for value creation, and understand how the wider IP market is moving around you.
- Understand how peers are approaching IP valuation, monetisation, portfolio readiness and internal business buy-in
- Gain perspective from the other side of the table, including how patent owners, licensors, funders, brokers and advisors are assessing value, leverage and market opportunities
- Learn how to communicate IP value to boards, CFOs, GCs and business units
- Explore routes to value beyond traditional licensing, including sales, partnerships, spinouts and strategic collaborations
- Build relationships with the partners, advisors and market participants who can help inform strategy, manage risk and support execution
Patent Owners, Licensing Companies & Monetisation Teams
Stay ahead of shifting leverage, buyer appetite and deal structures in a market where IP value is being repriced.
- Understand where patent-owner leverage is shifting across the USPTO, courts, UPC and global enforcement venues
- Benchmark licensing, enforcement and monetisation strategies against active market participants
- Explore what buyers, funders and licensees are looking for in deal-ready portfolios
- Gain insight into valuation, pricing realities and what actually sells in the current market
- Build relationships with corporates, funders, brokers, law firms and potential counterparties
Funders & Investors
Access high-quality opportunities, deepen relationships with originators, and understand how capital is shaping the next phase of IP monetisation.
- Source new deployment, acquisition, partnership and co-investment opportunities
- Connect with patent owners, corporates, law firms, brokers and monetisation teams
- Understand what makes IP assets fundable, enforceable, saleable or finance-ready
- Track how changes in PTAB, UPC, enforcement strategy and insurance are affecting risk and return
- Position your platform within a more sophisticated and competitive IP capital market
Law Firms & Advisors
Strengthen client relationships, originate new opportunities, and stay close to the commercial forces shaping IP strategy and disputes.
- Build relationships with corporates, patent owners, funders, investors and co-counsel
- Understand what clients need as they evaluate monetisation, enforcement, licensing and risk transfer
- Stay ahead of shifting USPTO, PTAB, UPC, judicial and global enforcement dynamics
- Position your expertise around the commercial outcomes clients care about most
- Identify new mandates, partnerships and strategic opportunities across the IP ecosystem
Brokers, Platforms & Specialist Service Providers
Connect with active market participants and position your services where IP strategy becomes execution.
- Build relationships with companies, patent owners, funders, law firms and licensing teams
- Understand what the market needs around valuation, diligence, portfolio readiness and deal execution
- Access a curated audience actively involved in IP transactions, enforcement, licensing and monetisation
- Position your services within high-value opportunities and complex deal processes
- Stay visible in a competitive advisory landscape where trusted relationships matter

VENUE & Accommodations
Omni Barton Creek Resort
The 13th Annual IP Dealmakers Forum – Austin, TX
Held at the Omni Barton Creek Resort, set in Austin’s breathtaking Hill Country, you can expect luxurious accommodations, championship golf, world-class amenities.
With stunning hilltop views, the resort provides an inspiring backdrop for dealmaking, strategy, and connection.
Take advantage of our discounted rooms at $375++ per night for registered attendees. 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 13th Annual IP Dealmakers Forum will be held on November 2-4, 2026. Set against the backdrop of Austin’s rolling Hill Country, the Omni Barton Creek Resort combines luxury accommodations, championship amenities, and inspiring vistas.
The forum takes place immediately after the inaugural IP Dealmakers AI + EmTech on November 2, allowing attendees to expand their Dealmakers experience and engage with cutting-edge discussions on AI and emerging technologies in IP.
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 Annual 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!




















































