ROYAL OAK, Michigan – Brooks Kushman Shareholders Rachel Smith and John Rondini will be a moderators at the Auto IP USA hosted by IAM in Detroit May 1-2, 2024. This event is a two-day event that will provide content-led programming by IP experts and valuable players across the auto industry.
Rachel’s session on May 2nd, “Masterclass: The IP Portfolio of the Future” will discuss new trends within mobility, autonomous driving, electrification, and connectivity. This includes revamping IP protection strategies to fit converging technologies, implementing variations of technologies into developing a patent strategy, and accommodating IP related decisions for emerging market trends. John’s session on May 1st, “Masterclass: The Role of Trade Secrets” will discuss how software and algorithms drive today’s computers, making trade secrets crucial in automotive IP portfolios. This includes deciding upon trade secrets or patent protection, successfully blending IT, data and legal, as well as identifying and monitoring the risks of collaborations.
Rachel is a registered patent attorney and manages global patent portfolios of all sizes for Fortune 500 companies down to start-ups. She has the ability to manage such portfolios while keeping an understanding of how patent protection fits within her clients’ businesses. Her practice extends to licensing negotiations, open-source software and copyright issues, and pre-litigation due diligence and investigations. Her clients extend across a vast array of industries including automotive, consumer electronics and appliances, software and artificial intelligence, finance, and medical devices. Throughout her career, Rachel has participated in numerous diversity and inclusion efforts, including managing her firm’s mentorship program and being an active member of the Leadership Counsel for Legal Diversity. Rachel has been widely recognized for her accomplishments via several accolades including 2024 Crain’s Notable Women in the Law, Super Lawyers, Oakland County Elite 40 Under 40, Up & Coming Lawyer, among others.
John is a multi-faceted attorney with extensive knowledge in litigation, negotiating settlements, and licensing agreements. His experience includes assessing a client’s current cybersecurity and data privacy protocols and developing a comprehensive incident response plan to ensure compliance with applicable laws. John’s practice includes representing clients in patent prosecution, litigation, and cyber security and data privacy matters. He has represented client’s litigation matters at the district court and appellate level, as well as, before the International Trade Commission, and has actively managed each stage of litigation from pre-suit pleadings through trial, and through appeal. John has also managed the patent prosecution docket for clients that range from Fortune 500 companies to individual inventors. His prosecution experience includes handling a patent application from an initial draft through allowance.
For more information about the presentation, the rest of the programming, and to register for the event click here.
About Brooks Kushman P.C.
Founded in 1983, Brooks Kushman P.C. has built a national reputation as a premier intellectual property and technology law firm. We accomplish this with the understanding that the most effective IP solutions come from putting great minds together – our clients and our own. With offices in Michigan, California, Washington D.C., and Nevada, we forge strong relationships with corporations, small to medium-sized businesses, and leading universities across the country.
Brooks Kushman counts a number of Fortune 100 Corporations across a variety of industries among its clients. Our attorneys have a deep understanding and broad range of experience in a variety of industries and technologies, including consumer electronics, manufacturing, medical device, computer technology, aerospace, chemicals, biotechnology, and retail. We are also recognized by leading legal publications and rankings, including, Best Lawyers, Law360, Intellectual Asset Management, Managing Intellectual Property, and World Trademark Review. For more information, please visit www.BrooksKushman.com.
