16th Annual Spring CLE Program

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April 4-5, 2001

International Trade Center at the Ronald Reagan Federal Building
Washington, DC

About the Program

As Intellectual Property Law enters the 21st Century it is increasingly characterized by rapid changes in both law and practice. In an area of the law already fraught with complexity, IP practitioners are faced with an array of new issues and areas of practice, with both national and international dimensions. The broad diversity of the practice and its accelerating rate of change place ever-increasing demands on the knowledge and skills of these practitioners.

To allow intellectual property law practitioners to maintain and update their professional skills, the ABA Section of Intellectual Property Law is presenting this 16th Annual Spring Continuing Legal Education Program.

The program will address recent developments, worldwide protection of intellectual property assets, prosecution, litigation and licensing issues and observations by Judges of the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Speakers include representatives from all IP areas, practitioners, and key policymakers from the United States Copyright Office and the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The program is organized to allow registrants to attend sessions tailored to specific areas of practice (patents, trademarks, and copyrights) and to attend sessions focusing on the problems and issues related to breaking areas of 21st century IP law and practice. The program faculty will prepare papers on the topics covered. A CD-ROM will be prepare from these papers and provided to all conference registrants.

There will be a luncheon both days of the program, which will allow registrants an opportunity to network with other members of the intellectual property law profession. An opportunity to relax and socialize will also be provided at a reception hosted by Bureau of National Affairs, held on Wednesday evening, following the afternoon sessions.

This ABA/IPL Section Spring CLE program has been widely recognized for its quality, and in recent years has received over 600 attendees annually. It also occurs at a great time to visit our nation's capital during the height of the celebrated spring cherry blossom season. Registrants from across the country often combine education with a holiday for their families.

The 2001 CLE program will provide opportunities to learn from leading practitioners and to meet others in the intellectual property law profession. This program will be an intense two-day session emphasizing education on all aspects of the profession.

Special One-Day Program Following the Spring CLE Program
A separate one-day ABA-IPL program entitled "Practical Tips on Trademark Litigation", on Friday, April 6, 2001, also at the International Trade Center, will follow this year's Spring CLE Program. For information and a registration form for this program, visit http://www.abanet.org/intelprop/ at intelprop@abanet.org. This program will also offer CLE credit.

ABA-CLE Teleconference CLE Credit Available
For those unable to attend the 16th Annual Spring CLE Program in person, select sessions will be made available via live teleconference. Registrants for teleconference sessions will be eligible for CLE accreditation in those states that allow for teleconference credits. See the program schedule for day, time and topic information.

Course Materials available on CD-ROM
This year, the course materials will be produced in CD-ROM format in lieu of a printed course book. The CD-ROM of materials will be usable by all computers with a CD-ROM drive, and will not require any special software on the users' computer. CD's will be mailed in advance of the conference to all pre-registrants who have registered by March 19th. For those who register beyond March 19th, the CD's will be available onsite.

The New Home of the Spring CLE Program
In 2001, the ABA-IPL Spring CLE Program moves to a new home at the International Trade Center at the Ronald Reagan Federal Building on Pennsylvania Avenue. This new building, opened in 1998, features spectacular architecture, light filled interiors, leading edge technology, and a prime location in the heart of Washington, D.C. The International Trade Center is conveniently located for easy access from Washington's Metro system. Don't miss this opportunity to see this new facility.

Edward G. Fiorito, Chair, Dallas, TX
Charles P. Baker, Chair-Elect, New York, NY
Mark T. Banner, Vice-Chair, Chicago, IL
Judith Saffer, Secretary, New York, NY
Gale R. Peterson, Financial Officer, San Antonio, TX
John K. Uilkema, Section Delegate to the ABA House of Delegates, San Francisco, CA
Jack C. Goldstein, Section Delegate to the ABA House of Delegates, Houston, TX
Gregory J. Maier, Immediate Past Chair, Arlington, VA

Program Co-Chairs

Ronald B. Coolley, Chicago, IL
Patricia S. Smart, Chicago, IL