16 April 2026
8:30 am-9:00 am
Registration and Networking
9:00 am-9:10 am
Welcome address
Nisha Shetty
Reporter, IAM
9:10 am-9:40 am
Keynote interview: IP strategy in the transition to software-defined vehicles
Tom Wolfe
Head of IP and Defense Legal, Kodiak AI
John LeRoy
IP Litigation Partner, Brooks Kushman
9:40 am-10:30 am
Panel: Navigating US policy shifts: the good, the bad and the ugly
- Unpacking the administration’s policy priorities and direction for innovation
- Exploring opportunities in AI patent eligibility under evolving US frameworks
- Impacts on the automotive landscape and strategies to manage regulatory shifts
Joshua Hartman
Partner, Merchant & Gould
Kurt Brasch
Director of Patent Transactions, Uber
Eric Rogers
IP Counsel, Business Development Leader, AGC Automotive America’s
Kristin Murphy
Divisional IP Lead, ZF Group
10:30 am-11:00 am
Networking break
11:00 am-11:50 am
Panel: Unlocking maximum value from EV innovation
- Key EV patent filing insights to optimise business strategy
- Strategies for preserving long-term patent value amid US market challenges
- Building resilience against competitive global patenting pressures
11:50 am-12:40 pm
Focus session: Discretionary denials explained: essential insights for automotive innovators
- What the latest IPR trends reveal about strategy and success at the PTAB
- Breaking down the key factors driving PTO director institution decisions
- Facing denials - how can automotive stakeholders stay ahead?
Wayne Helge
Partner, Bunsow De Mory
Paul Margolis
Deputy Chief Commercial Counsel, Software and Technology, Aptiv
Todd Pleiness
Senior IP Counsel, MAHLE
12:40 pm-1:55 pm
Lunch and networking
1:55 pm-2:45 pm
Masterclass: Preparing autonomous IP today to secure tomorrow’s value
- IP challenges around AI models, data ownership and software patents
- Building a robust defensive IP strategy for autonomous innovation
- Leveraging trade secrets to protect autonomous technologies
Carl Bowers
Senior Director, Associate General Counsel, Lyft
Catherine Tornabene
Deputy General Counsel, IP and Employment, Aurora Innovation
2:45 pm-3:15 pm
Fireside chat: Strategising today’s IP budget to maximise value
Ash Zahr
Chief IP Counsel, Rivian
Qudus Olaniran
Senior Vice President, Avanci
3:15 pm-4:05 pm
Panel: Driving IP strategy through tariff turbulence and market shifts
- How trade barriers are reshaping automotive IP filing trends
- Navigating reshoring and regulation without losing your edge
- Lessons learned to date amid market upheaval and disruption
Rick Hoffmann
Shareholder, President, Reising
Kurt Brandstadt
Global Intellectual Capital and Strategy Director, Dow
Dennis Malloy
Deputy General Counsel, Methode Electronics
Melissa Savoy
General Counsel, Americas, TI Automotive
4:05 pm-4:35 pm
Networking break
4:35 pm-5:05 pm
Fireside chat: AI tools in action across automotive IP departments
Eric Gorman
Senior IP Engineer, Valeo
5:05 pm-5:55 pm
Panel: SEPs in overdrive: powering the next automotive revolution
- Strategic IP choices: bilateral v pool licensing for modern mobility
- Beyond cellular licensing: what’s next for standardisation in automotive?
- Actionable steps to position your IP for next-gen automotive tech integration
Naim Khan
IP Lead, Vue Real
George Pappas
Senior Technology and IP Counsel, International Motors
5:55 pm-6:00 pm
Closing remarks
6:00 pm-7:00 pm
Drinks reception
