Innovative Practices Forum

Connecting IP Prosecution Operational Leaders

The Forum In Focus

Law firm IP practices are truly unique, and face a unique range of increasing challenges. These include client expectations for faster execution of high-volume work, lower cost, and greater visibility. As organizations work to evolve their prosecution policies, processes and operational approaches, there is power in collaboration and knowledge sharing.

A Forum for Collaboration
Founded in 2017, the Innovative Practice Forum (IPF) provides resources designed to connect IP leaders. The program hosts regional events that enable open peer exchange — with meetings taking place in seven cities nationally. And it publishes articles and resources delivering the insight into industry trends, operational approaches and best practices.

Past Forum events have included guest speakers from the USPTO providing Office updates. And sessions have focused on topics including:

  • Strategies for improving efficiency
  • Client compliance / OCG
  • Data analytics and reporting innovation
  • Staffing and organizational models
  • Data Integration (Public and Private)
  • Training, education and retention
  • Streamlining lawyer-client communication and collaboration
  • Budgeting and financial practices
  • Managing foreign associate invoices
  • Moving to electronic tri-fold and “paper-lite” prosecution approaches

Participant Perspectives

fenwick

I loved the IPF forum today. It was invaluable to have the head of the Silicon Valley PTO offering real world advice for how we actually build our processes and systems. The peer exchange aspect of the forum is incredibly valuable, discussing real world applications and real world problems.

Brian at Aurora North gets everyone talking and really engages the audience in a way that helps us get the most out of the forum. I would absolutely encourage other IP practitioners to get involved with this forum. You’re wasting your time if you don’t.

— Heath Harris

seed

This was my first IPF. It was very educational and a great gathering of other law firm IP staff. Having the head of a regional office of the USPTO come and present was amazing. The talk was extremely informative. I learned many things I’ll be taking back and sharing with my firm. Brian Lynch did a fabulous job as moderator.

Aurora North is really my favorite company to work with ever. I have ever worked with vendors all over the place for many, many years and honestly Aurora North is the best company I have ever worked with.”

— Lori Rosencrans

mofo

I’m really glad I attended this event. I really appreciated getting to know people from other firms and hearing other ideas. It can actually be really helpful to hear what other organizations are struggling with — you don’t quite feel so alone in your own challenges.

The discussion about software was also quite helpful. There’s certain software I wouldn’t know about if it hadn’t been in a setting like this. Brian Lynch does a great job in his role — I know that’s not always an easy job to moderate meetings like this.

— Ashley Campbell

marshall

The session was a rich combination of leaders of technology, finance, operations and IP practice managers.

It’s great to bring the smartest IP practice support people together. We’ve had some great success with IP process automation at our firm and we are excited to share those experiences with our peers.

— Kimberly Giertz

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Getting Involved in IPF

To encourage discussion and maintain an intimate environment these events are accessible by invitation only. For more information, please contact us.