42nd ANNUAL INSTITUTE ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW
SEPTEMBER 17 - 19, 2026
GALVESTON, TX
Greg R. Vetter (IPIL/Houston), Hon. Susan Hightower (U.S. District Court – Western District of Texas), Shira Perlmutter (Register of Copyrights and Director, U.S. Copyright Office), and Zachary Catanzaro (Widener University Delaware Law School)Jorge Lozano, 2026 Conference Chair (Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP) starts off the first day of the conference welcoming everyone and announcements.Sharon Israel (Federal Circuit Bar Association) first presenter of the conference starts with her topic IP: A View from inside the BeltwayChristopher “Kit” Crumbley (Bracewell LLP) presenting PTAB UpdateCristina Guerrero (Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP) presenting Rule 11 and IP LitigationAttendees take a mid-day break between presentations.Tyler Burdon, Thursday session moderator (Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP) introduces Natalie Gonzales (Yetter Coleman LLP) for her presentation Texas Patent Litigation in 2026: Venue Realignment and PTAB CrosswindsSahana Annadorai (Boulware & Valoir PLLC) and Steve VerSteeg (Patterson + Sheridan LLP) present Interview Practice UpdateCatherine Rifai (Munck Wilson Mandala) presenting Trademark Law UpdatePeter Jeffrey (Parabellum IP) and George Schlich (Schlich Ltd.) finish the first day of presentation with their talk Prosecution Strategies in view of the UPC and Unitary PatentJorge Lozano makes his closing remarks and announcements for the next couple of daysMike Heim is the winner of the Thursday sponsor giveaway!Jorge Lozano welcomes everyone on Friday morning and introduces the sponsor representatives that will be introducing the Friday Community IP Breakfast speakers.The Friday Community IP Breakfast and Presentation sponsored by Greenberg Traurig, LLP.Aimee Housinger (Greenberg Traurig, LLP) andErica Küntz (Greenberg Traurig, LLP) introduce The Slants.The Slants (Joe Jiang and Simon Tam) provide this year’s IP Community Breakfast presentation.The Slants (Joe Jiang and Simon Tam) pictured with this year’s sponsor (Greenberg Traurig, LLP) for the IP Community Breakfast presentation.The Slants (Joe Jiang and Simon Tam)Jorge Lozano thanks Greenberg Traurig and The Slants for the morning presentation.Mike Hawes (Baker Botts L.L.P.) shares part 1 of the Federal Circuit Patent Law Review.Attendees enjoy a morning break sponsored by Baker Botts L.L.P.Steve Spears (Munck Wilson Mandala) shares part 2 of the Federal Circuit Patent Law Review.Valerie Yu, Friday morning session moderator (Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams & Aughtry) introduces the last speaker for Friday morning.Professor Zachary Catanzaro (Widener University Delaware Law School) provides this year’s Copyright UpdateGreg R. Vetter and Professor Zachary CatanzaroWomble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP sponsors the Keynote LuncheonGreg Vetter welcomes all to the Keynote Luncheon and talks about the keynote presenter, Shira Perlmutter.Greg Vetter introduces Karthika Perumal (Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP) who will be introducing the keynote presenterKarthika Perumal introduces the keynote presenter, Register Shira Perlmutter from the U.S. Copyright OfficeKeynote Presenter, Register Shira Perlmutter from the U.S. Copyright Office(L-R) Karthika Perumal, Linda Quigley (U.S. Copyright Office), Register Shira Perlmutter, Greg R. Vetter, Jorge Lozano, and Tyler Burdon(L-R) Register Shira Perlmutter, Jorge Lozano, and Linda QuigleyRegister Shira Perlmutter and Karthika PerumalRegister Shira Perlmutter and Greg R. VetterJorge Lozano makes afternoon announcements following keynote and introduces the moderator for the Friday afternoon session.Griff Lancaster (Patterson + Sheridan LLP), Friday afternoon moderator begins the session introductions.Leisa Talbert Peschel (Jackson Walker LLP) moderates the Judicial Fireside Chat with the Hon. Susan Hightower (U.S. District – Western District of Texas)Hon. Susan Hightower with Register Shira Perlmutter(L-R) Greg R. Vetter, Hon. Susan Hightower, Register Shira Perlmutter, and Leisa Talbert PeschelMateo Fowler (Spencer Fane) presents Design Patents and Copyright IntersectionTiffany Lewis (StoneTurn) discusses Patent and Trade Secret DamagesAttendees enjoy an afternoon break sponsored by Jackson Walker LLP.Friday afternoon session resumes with Scott Adams (Davis Wright Tremaine LLP) with Inventorship and AICarlo Cotrone (Quartal IP) shares Patent Prosecution and AI: Navigating the Ethical ThicketGriff Lancaster introduces the final presenter for Friday.Kristopher Reichlen (Greenberg Traurig, LLP) ends the day presenting The Realignment of Subject Matter Eligibility GuidelinesJorge Lozano closes out the day with more announcements and reminding everyone of the Friday Presidents’ Reception to follow.Jorge Lozano sharing the Friday giveaway with the winner for Friday, Melody van Denzen.Attendees enjoy Friday Presidents’ Reception generously sponsored by StoneTurn.George Webb (Rice University) and Hope Shimabuku (Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP) start the Saturday session with Supreme Court Updates and Reflections on the USPTOTamsen Valoir (Boulware & Valoir) discusses The Dilemma of Filing Documents at USPTO under Seal or ExpungingFinal break of the conference for catching up with colleagues. Thank you to Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP for sponsoring.Mauricio Uribe (Davis Wright Tremaine LLP) resumes session with Compliance with Export Controls for Patent ProsecutionIrene Kosturakis (formerly BMC Software, Inc.) and Rachel Greene (Greene IP PLLC) talk about Ethics, Cybersecurity, and TransactionsLiz Flannery (Baker Botts L.L.P.) closes the conference with the Trade Secret UpdateClick here to view the event brochure