The Intellectual Property Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan will conduct its IPLS Spring Seminar 2026 on Thursday, March 12, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Henry Ford - Lovett Hall, 20900 Oakwood Blvd. in Dearborn.
The 2026 Spring Seminar will feature thought leaders addressing key intersections in intellectual property, including global brand strategy, tax considerations, and evolving roles and responsibilities for in-house counsel. Topics and speakers include:
• Intersection of IP Strategies to Protect Global Brands—James Conley, Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management
• Intersection of Tax and IP—Christine Hoppe, managing director, Accurity Group; John Cheek, VP, Intellectual Property & Legal Operations, chief intellectual property counsel, Tenneco LLC; Christine Lane, partner and Tax Group chair, Tax Group; and Moderator Timothy Murphy, managing partner, Carlson Gaskey & Olds
• Copyright and AI—Kirk Goodwin, VP and assistant general counsel, Ralliant
• Local IP rules/Best Practices—U.S. District Court Judge Terrence Berg, Eastern District of Michigan
• From Law Firm to In-House: Tools and Strategies for IP Attorneys—Bob Fergan, division chief IP counsel, Arthrex; Sten Schuler, senior counsel Intellectual Property, General
Motors; and Sam Haidle, shareholder, Howard & Howard
Cost for the Spring Seminar is $225 for IPLS memnbers, $295 for non-section members; $100 for in-house, and $30 for student. Continental breakfast and lunch are included.
The 2026 Spring Seminar will feature thought leaders addressing key intersections in intellectual property, including global brand strategy, tax considerations, and evolving roles and responsibilities for in-house counsel. Topics and speakers include:
• Intersection of IP Strategies to Protect Global Brands—James Conley, Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management
• Intersection of Tax and IP—Christine Hoppe, managing director, Accurity Group; John Cheek, VP, Intellectual Property & Legal Operations, chief intellectual property counsel, Tenneco LLC; Christine Lane, partner and Tax Group chair, Tax Group; and Moderator Timothy Murphy, managing partner, Carlson Gaskey & Olds
• Copyright and AI—Kirk Goodwin, VP and assistant general counsel, Ralliant
• Local IP rules/Best Practices—U.S. District Court Judge Terrence Berg, Eastern District of Michigan
• From Law Firm to In-House: Tools and Strategies for IP Attorneys—Bob Fergan, division chief IP counsel, Arthrex; Sten Schuler, senior counsel Intellectual Property, General
Motors; and Sam Haidle, shareholder, Howard & Howard
Cost for the Spring Seminar is $225 for IPLS memnbers, $295 for non-section members; $100 for in-house, and $30 for student. Continental breakfast and lunch are included.
To register, visit https://is.gd/ips26spring.
