Intellectual Property Law

Chairperson: John Krieger

Lewis & Roca LLP

3993 Howard Hughes Pkwy

Las Vegas, NV 89169

Phone: 702-949-8900

E-Mail: jkrieger@lrlaw.com

Staff Liaison: Lori Wolk

Board Liaison: Frank Flaherty

Dues: $25/yr

Purpose. The purpose of the Intellectual Property Section is to:

a.  enhance the role and skills of the lawyers engaged in the practice of intellectual property law through study, collection, development and dissemination of materials on subjects of interest to intellectual property practitioners;

b.  assist in the formation, administration and implementation of programs, forums and other activities for the education of members of the State Bar of Nevada in matters pertaining to intellectual property laws and regulations;

c.  recognize and discuss means of improving the law and the practice of law in the field of intellectual property; and

d.  act upon all matters germane to its purpose as so described or referred to by the Board of Governors. 

Officers/Committee Chairs. 

John Krieger
Lewis & Roca

jkrieger@lrlaw.com

Catherine Cary
Sutton Law Center

ccary@sutlaw.com

Bylaws (pdf)

Employment Opportunities.   As part of the purpose of the IP Section, members are encouraged to identify local and regional employment opportunities and make such opportunities available.  To update employment opportunities, please forward the position and criteria to John Krieger at jkrieger@lrlaw.com.

Survey Results.  In preparation for 2007, the executive committee has received and listened to the results of the survey performed earlier this year. Based upon the results, the primary reasons you joined the IP Section include: (a) a general interest in the IP area, (b) increased exposure of IP within the state, (c) Education/CLE and (d) networking.  Perhaps surprisingly, "Social" was hardly even mentioned as a reason. 

Based upon the survey results, the executive committee has decided to change the format of the section meetings to allow section members to introduce their IP practice and present basics, practice tips and year in review highlights on one of the four primary areas of IP law (copyright, patents, trademarks and trade secrets).  Lara Pearson and Chuck Lombino, as co-chairs of the CLE committee, will be working with the State Bar to receive .5 CLE credit for each regular section meeting for those in attendance.  If approved by the State Bar, this initiative will mean that, with the annual IP CLE, attendance will satisfy approximately 3/4 of your required Nevada CLE credits, so please plan to attend and get involved.  We will reserve one meeting for a special guest speaker or panel (if you have recommendations for speaker/panel and/or topics, please so indicate at your earliest convenience so that we may schedule accordingly). The annual meeting will continue to be held at the same time as the IP CLE.

Hosting/Presenting.  If you are interested in hosting, introducing your IP practice and presenting a topic at a section meeting, please so indicate and identify your top 2 choices for dates/topics.  Alternatively, if you do not have sufficient space to host, but are interested in introducing your firm's IP practice and presenting at a separate host venue, please so indicate, along with your top 2 choices for dates/topics. The executive committee will then review the interest and notify the hosts/presenters accordingly. Please note that if you do respond and wish to introduce your firm's practice and present on a topic, materials will need to be submitted to the CLE committee prior to the scheduled date with sufficient time to have the State Bar confirm sufficient credit for CLE.

IP Certification Review.  The executive committee continues to evaluate whether the IP Section should create an Intellectual Property certification allowed under the new Nevada ethics rules.  Some considerations for such a certification may include a requirement for a certain number of IP CLE credits (encouraging members to attend the section meetings/annual CLE), a proficiency test on basic intellectual topics (perhaps using the core topics as prepared and presented at the regularly scheduled section meetings), a requirement for a minimum amount of experience, and/or other benchmarks certifying a minimum level of competence. West Allen has graciously accepted the invitation to coordinate efforts on behalf of the IP Section to evaluate various options and present recommendations to the IP Section. Any comments or suggestions should be directed to West directly or any member of the executive committee. 

Related Links:

United States Patent and Trademark Office (www.uspto.gov)  

United States Copyright Office (www.copyright.gov)  

Nevada Revised Statutes (www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/)