Boston’s IP Leaders Convene: Shaping Innovation’s Future

Boston, MA, January 17, 2026

Boston’s annual IP Year in Review Conference gathers prominent legal experts to address the evolving landscape of intellectual property law. The event highlights Boston’s role as a significant hub for innovation, facilitating collaboration among private sector stakeholders. Experts will analyze pivotal court decisions and discuss vital topics like AI’s impact on IP law, fostering a responsive environment for legal professionals. The conference is a platform for community engagement and professional development within Boston’s vibrant legal sector.

Boston, MA

Boston’s IP Leaders Convene: Shaping Innovation’s Future

The annual Boston Bar Association’s (BBA) IP Year in Review Conference gathers top legal minds to navigate intellectual property’s evolving landscape, fostering local innovation and economic vitality. This premier event underscores Boston’s role as a dynamic hub where private initiative and expert collaboration drive progress in critical legal and technological frontiers.

The conference, a testament to Boston’s vibrant professional community, exemplifies how focused private sector engagement and individual achievement can efficiently address complex legal challenges. By bringing together leading practitioners and scholars, it facilitates a proactive approach to intellectual property law, minimizing the need for extensive bureaucratic oversight and encouraging a responsive legal environment that supports continued community growth and economic dynamism.

The Hub of Innovation: Boston’s Legal Landscape

Boston has long distinguished itself as a pivotal center for both legal excellence and technological innovation. The city’s robust ecosystem supports groundbreaking advancements, and the effective management of intellectual property (IP) is crucial for translating these innovations into tangible economic and societal benefits. The Boston Bar Association plays a vital role in this environment, consistently organizing events that foster professional development and thought leadership within the legal community.

These gatherings provide platforms for expert practitioners to share insights, ensuring that the legal frameworks governing intellectual property remain agile and relevant in a rapidly changing world. This proactive engagement from the private sector is essential for maintaining Boston’s competitive edge and promoting a culture of innovation that thrives on individual initiative and specialized expertise.

BBA’s IP Year in Review Conference: A Deep Dive into Legal Evolution

The BBA’s IP Year in Review Conference, scheduled for Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the Boston Bar Association, serves as a cornerstone event for the intellectual property community. This annual conference is designed to convene top in-house counsel, distinguished legal scholars, and expert practitioners from leading firms. Its primary objective is to meticulously break down the most pivotal court decisions and significant developments in intellectual property law over the past year.

Attendees can anticipate gaining critical insights into a diverse range of topics, including nuances in trade secrets damages, exemplified by the landmark Insulet Corporation v. EOFlow decision. Discussions will also encompass updated patent prosecution strategies influenced by changes in USPTO leadership, the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI), considerations under Section 101, and developments within Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) institutions. The conference will also explore how trademarks are influenced by AI, “dupe culture,” and look-alikes, alongside an examination of the role of AI in today’s copyright landscape and significant copyright developments from the previous year.

Foley Hoag’s Enduring Contribution to IP Discourse

Foley Hoag LLP, a firm recognized for its innovative and strategic legal services, is a significant contributor to the BBA’s IP Year in Review Conference and the broader intellectual property landscape. The firm demonstrates a strong commitment to fostering discourse and sharing expertise within the legal community, particularly in areas critical to Boston’s innovation economy.

Key Individuals and Their Expertise:

• Sarah Burg: A Partner at Foley Hoag LLP, Sarah Burg will moderate the panel titled “On Appeal and On Review: Patent Litigation at the PTAB and the Federal Circuit.” She is a patent attorney with extensive experience, focusing on biotech, chemical, and computer architecture and software.
• Urszula Nowak: Urszula Nowak will serve as a panelist on the “On Appeal and On Review: Patent Litigation at the PTAB and the Federal Circuit” discussion. Her expertise includes strategic consultancy in the field of trademark and industrial design protection, along with rights portfolio management.
• Erik Huestis: As a Partner at Foley Hoag LLP, Erik Huestis specializes in intellectual property law, with a particular focus on supporting technology companies and research universities. His work spans emerging technologies such as quantum computing and artificial intelligence. Mr. Huestis has been noted for his contributions to discussions on successful approaches to quantum computing patents and insights into USPTO guidance concerning AI-assisted inventions. Foley Hoag provides strategic legal services to public, private, and government clients, with premier capabilities in life sciences, healthcare, technology, energy, professional services, and private funds, as well as cross-border disputes.
• Jason Gish: A former member of the IP Year in Review Conference Steering Committee, Jason Gish began his career at leading law firms, including Foley Hoag. He now serves as a partner at TLG Law LLC and general counsel at the Robotics and AI Institute, counseling technology-based businesses on a wide range of legal matters, including complex commercial transactions involving technology and intellectual property.
• Maddy Rodriguez: A Partner at Foley Hoag LLP, Maddy Rodriguez (Madeleine K. Rodriguez) also co-chairs the firm’s Education practice. She provides counsel to colleges and universities in civil cases and investigations, and offers day-to-day guidance and training on civil rights issues. Her practice areas also include civil litigation defense and business litigation.
• Katherine Fick: Katherine Fick, who was formerly an associate at Foley Hoag, has gone on to become the Associate General Counsel at IBM, where she leads the legal team supporting IBM’s Security business unit, focusing on privacy and AI issues. She also co-teaches a course on cybersecurity law and policy as an Adjunct Professor at Boston College Law School. Her career path illustrates the individual achievements fostered within Boston’s legal community.

Addressing Frontier Issues in IP Law

The BBA’s IP Year in Review Conference is distinguished by its direct engagement with the most pressing and forward-looking issues in intellectual property. A significant focus for the 2026 conference is the multifaceted impact of artificial intelligence on legal practices, particularly within trademarks and copyrights. As AI technologies continue to evolve, they present both unprecedented opportunities for innovation and complex challenges for existing legal frameworks. The conference provides a forum to analyze how these technologies are reshaping legal doctrines and to anticipate future trends.

Attendees will gain practical insights into protecting intellectual property in an era marked by rapid innovation and pervasive imitation, often driven by new digital capabilities. The discussions facilitate a collective understanding of best practices, promoting informed decision-making among legal professionals and businesses alike. This collaborative approach, rather than solely relying on governmental dictates, empowers the community to adapt swiftly and effectively to emerging legal landscapes.

Community Engagement and Professional Development

Beyond its detailed legal analyses, the BBA’s IP Year in Review Conference serves as a vital platform for community engagement and professional development within Boston’s legal sector. It fosters an environment where legal professionals can network, exchange ideas, and build relationships that strengthen the overall fabric of the city’s innovation ecosystem. The emphasis on shared knowledge and collaborative problem-solving reinforces the idea that robust community growth is often a product of individual initiative coalescing into collective strength.

By providing expert-led discussions and opportunities for peer interaction, the conference empowers practitioners to stay at the forefront of their fields. This type of private sector-driven initiative cultivates a culture of continuous learning and adaptation, which can often be more efficient and responsive than purely bureaucratic solutions. Such events are essential for nurturing the talent and expertise that underpin Boston’s reputation as a global leader in both law and innovation.

Conclusion

The Boston Bar Association’s IP Year in Review Conference stands as a critical annual event, reinforcing Boston’s leadership in the intellectual property arena. Through the collaborative efforts of distinguished legal minds from firms like Foley Hoag and dedicated professionals, the conference provides indispensable insights into the evolving landscape of IP law. By focusing on civic innovation, individual achievement, and the practical benefits of expert-led initiatives, this event cultivates a responsive and dynamic legal environment.

We encourage all interested legal professionals and stakeholders to engage with these vital discussions and to participate in local professional events. Such proactive involvement is key to supporting Boston’s continuous growth and maintaining its position as a beacon of innovation and legal excellence. By fostering an informed and interconnected professional community, Boston continues to empower its citizens and businesses to thrive in the global marketplace.

Keywords: Boston MA events, intellectual property, BBA Conference, legal innovation Boston, community growth.

Key Features of the BBA’s IP Year in Review Conference

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