Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

We are incredibly proud to have been honored as the 2024 Pro Bono Firm of the Year by The Safe Alliance. We'd also like to give a special round of applause for Mark Henriques and Carla Brafford, whose leadership has steered our efforts in supporting the Safe Alliance's crucial work. https://bit.ly/44cI22U

Join IP Partners Preston Heard, Barry Herman, and Christy Dupriest in Denver on Tuesday, May 7th at 4:30pm for drinks and discussion on effective IP strategies. In a social and casual setting, learn how to safeguard your inventions, enhance your market position, and drive sustainable growth. A reception with light bites and drinks will follow. Whether you're in the mining, energy, natural resources, tech, healthcare, manufacturing, or any other sector, learn how a robust IP strategy can serve as a cornerstone for innovation and strategic growth. We look forward to seeing you! https://bit.ly/3JsxcfT

The DOJ's Pilot Program on voluntary self-disclosure is more than just a policy update; it's a signal of the evolving expectations for corporate governance. Intended to aid in investigation and prosecution of criminal conduct that could otherwise go undetected, this initiative could set a new standard for how companies manage compliance and engage with regulatory authorities. Written by Luke Cass, Michael E. Clark, Joe Whitley, James Connelly, and Amy P. Lyons. https://bit.ly/3Qhlng8

Big congratulations to the seven attorneys from our firm who have been named to the 2024 Washington, DC, Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists! Being chosen by the research team at Super Lawyers places them among the state's top five percent of lawyers. Recognized attorneys are: Julius Bodie, Jasmine Chalashtori, Kathleen Gallagher, Elizabeth Lee, Pam Rothenberg, Jeffrey Tarkenton, and Joe Whitley. https://bit.ly/3Uv3rkM

We're thrilled to announce Lisa J. Moyles, Esq. as our new DEI Committee Chair with Tara Cho, CIPP/US, CIPP/E stepping in as Vice Chair. Lisa will succeed Kevin Hall, who we'd like to thank for his incredible work and leadership. In addition, Amy Clayton will succeed Cathy Hinger as WOW chair. WOW is a network of women lawyers dedicated to supporting the professional success of one another through intentional acts of mentorship, collaboration, and sharing of opportunities. #DEI #Inclusion #Diversity https://bit.ly/49MzFwd

Fairness, transparency, and efficiency - the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office recently released a notice of proposed rulemaking aimed at enhancing all three. USPTO Director Vidal calls it “an important step towards ensuring an efficient and streamlined patent system." The proposals are the result of a 2020 Request for Comments and a 2023 Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, which collectively received over 15,000 comments. Alert written by Alex Wharton, William Carter, and Rodney R. Miller https://bit.ly/3xQpqKd

With technology's rapid evolution, we're seeing a profound transformation in information collection tactics. Traditional Human Intelligence, with its reliance on personal contacts and specific tasking, is now flanked by the vast potential of crowdsourcing data. This method is rewriting the playbook in sectors from healthcare to financial services, highlighting its value in fraud detection, risk management, and accelerating medical research. https://bit.ly/4aFnGSy

Kate Johnson and Brendan O'Dea, IP attorneys from our Atlanta office, are taking their skills beyond client consultations and into the academic realm. Brendan has taught patent prosecution at Georgia Tech for several years and, recently, Kate guest lectured his class on trademarks, design patents, and copyrights. https://bit.ly/44ds1d7

From the EU to the USPTO – we’ve seen some recent legal activity on the AI front. In March, the European Parliament approve the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, marking a significant milestone for AI governance, and then a few weeks later, the United States Patent and Trademark Office released their guidance on disclosures when it comes to the use of generative AI. In this episode of Womble Perspectives, we dig into these developments and look at what they mean for AI today. https://bit.ly/440ZiZ5

The UN's recent commitment to regulating AI emphasizes the importance of developing systems that are reliable, ethical, and beneficial for all. From enhancing cybersecurity to ensuring ethical AI practices, this framework aims to create a safer, more equitable technological future. Alert written by Seiko Okada and Chris Mammen. https://bit.ly/3vPQcBP