IP Day in ��ؿ�

Alexander Blewett III School of Law

Intellectual Property Law Section of the State Bar of ��ؿ� and the Blewett School of Law

Presents:

IP DAY IN MONTANA

Missoula, ��ؿ� | MARCH 28, 2025

IP Day 2025, ��ؿ�, Alexander Blewett III School of Law

Join us in Missoula on Friday, March 28, 2025 for our sixth installment of IP Day in ��ؿ�, taking place at the Blewett School of Law at the ��ؿ�.

This year’s IP Day in ��ؿ� program will feature up to 6.5 CLE hours in addition to networking events, book sales & signing, and more! Don’t miss this opportunity to meet with and learn from the leaders in IP law. Whether you attend annually or if this will be your first time, we hope to see you there.

The 2025 IP Day in ��ؿ� will feature very special guest, Professor Jorge Contreras who will offer insights from his book: .

IP Day in ��ؿ� is the result of an ongoing partnership between the Blewett School of Law and the IPL Section of the ��ؿ� Bar.

The organizers and collaborators of IP Day in ��ؿ� are committed to continuing the mission of bringing free intellectual property education to students, businesses, and the ��ؿ� community. Therefore, if you register prior to March 18, 2025, this event is free to the general public, while legal professionals seeking CLE credit may pay $50.00 plus processing fees. Beginning on March 18, 2025, registration fees will increase by $25.00 to accommodate catering adjustments. Please register here:

KEYNOTE: The Genome Defense: Inside the Epic Battle to Determine Who Owns Your DNA by Prof. Jorge Contreras

Jorge L. Contreras, one of the nation’s foremost authorities on human genetics law, has devoted years to investigating the groundbreaking civil rights and patent law subject matter eligibility case known as AMP v. Myriad. In The Genome Defense, Prof. Contreras tracks the legal team, activists, scientists, and physicians, as they take their one-in-a-million case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Contreras interviewed nearly one-hundred key players involved in all aspects of the case—from judges and policy makers to ethicists and genetic counselors, as well as cancer survivors and those whose lives would be impacted by the decision—expertly weaving together their stories into a fascinating narrative of this pivotal moment in history. Join Prof. Contreras for a discussion of the story of Myriad Genetics’ patentclaim to the BRCA breast cancer genes and the riveting, behind-the-scenes courtroom drama that ensued.

2025 IP Day in ��ؿ� Schedule - About Me IP

Friday, March 28, 2025 (Room 201, Blewett School of Law)

Time		Anticipated CLE Count
8:00 a.m.	Registrant Check In and Coffee
8:30 a.m.	Introduction and IP Day overview by Conference Organizers , Founder and Attorney, Rhoades Intellectual Property Law, PLLC , Senior Technology Manager, ��ؿ� State University
8:45 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.	Ethical Issues in Pro Bono: Preparing, participating and reporting on an attorney's pro bono obligation Ann Goldes-Sheahan, Associate General Counsel & Equal Justice Coordinator Your Pro Bono reporting deadline is 4/1/2025 – are you ready? Do you have a plan to complete your obligations before 2026? Have you reviewed the Rules which govern your duties for providing and reporting your pro bono services as part of your licensing requirements? Bring your laptops and get ready to workshop with Ann Goldes-Sheahan as she guides you through the pragmatic pro bono reporting and expectations. You’ll learn about Rule 6.1 - PRO BONO PUBLICO SERVICE and Pro Bono FAQs. Come gain some insights on best practices for providing, tracking, and reporting pro bono obligations to the State Bar each year.	1 ethics
9:45 a.m. - 9:50 a.m.	Break
9:50 a.m. - 10:35 a.m.	Protecting Critical Research – How to Comply with Federal Export Law for Your Ideas Nicholas Seedall, FBI Special Agent , MSU Senior Technology Manager Technology transfer is a major component of China’s strategy for achieving its economic development goals. In today’s world, U.S. national security is tied directly to our economic security. If a U.S. university has information or assets that could help our adversaries advance their interests, then the university is almost certainly being targeted through influence, both direct and indirect; through “legitimate” business dealings; and through illegal and concealed operations, such as cyber or insider threats. Special Agent Seedall and Mr. King will be discussing: the Chinese government’s talent recruitment programs; the targeting of U.S. students who can help China gain Critical Research; and ways to protect your Information.	.75 general
10:35 a.m. - 11:35 a.m.	Trademark Essentials for Athletes and Attorneys: Unlocking the Power of Federal Registration Nakia Henry, USPTO Trademark Outreach Attorney Join us as USPTO Trademark Outreach Attorney Nakia Henry shares her wisdom gained through decades of experience examining trademark applications. You will learn about famous athletes and their trademarks and the value of federal registration. Please join us and gain some memorable nuggets for yourself or for your clients as you help them navigate trademark protection through federal registration.	1 general
11:35 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.	Lunch Break & Group Photo with Speakers
12:00 p.m. - 1:10 p.m.	Keynote Address: The Genome Defense: Inside the Epic Battle to Determine Who Owns Your DNA Jorge Contreras, Author and Univ. of Utah, James T. Jensen Endowed Professor for Transactional Law and Director of the Program on IP and Technology Law. Jorge L. Contreras, one of the nation’s foremost authorities on human genetics law, has devoted years to investigating the groundbreaking civil rights and patent law subject matter eligibility case known as AMP v. Myriad. In The Genome Defense, Prof. Contreras tracks the legal team, activists, scientists, and physicians, as they take their one-in-a-million case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Contreras interviewed nearly a hundred key players involved in all aspects of the case—from judges and policy makers to ethicists and genetic counselors, as well as cancer survivors and those whose lives would be impacted by the decision—expertly weaving together their stories into a fascinating narrative of this pivotal moment in history. Join Prof. Contreras for a discussion of the story of Myriad Genetics’ patent claims to the BRCA breast cancer genes and the riveting, behind-the-scenes courtroom drama that ensued	1 general
1:10 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.	Break & Book signing Copies of The Genome Defense: Inside the Epic Legal Battle to Determine Who Owns Your DNA will be offered for sale in the lobby.
1:30 p.m. -3:00 p.m.	University Technology Transfer Offices (TTO) Panel , Smithmoore P. Myers Dean of Gonzaga University School of Law , Associate Professor, Georgia Tech School of Public Policy , Practice Professor of Law, Detkin IP and Technology Legal Clinic, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School , Spears-Gilbert Professor of Law, University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law Universities play a crucial role in fostering innovation, translating research into commercial opportunities, and driving economic growth through technology transfer. This panel of leading law and policy experts will explore the current challenges, emerging trends, and evolving best practices in university technology transfer. This panel will address key questions, such as: How are universities balancing commercialization with their public mission? What are the biggest hurdles in technology transfer today, from funding gaps to regulatory issues? How is the shift toward open innovation, corporate partnerships, and startup incubation reshaping university technology transfer? What reforms, if any, are needed to improve the efficiency and impact of university technology transfer?	1.5 general
3:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.	Break
3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.	IP Policy Debate Demonstrations with Introduction and Moderation by Martin Rogers, Attorney at Worden Thane P.C. and with special thanks to Sentinel H.S. Coach, Seaghan Herron and Hellgate H.S. Policy Coach, Ellie Dula Intellectual property rights stretch across all areas of American life from the technology we use, to the pharmaceutical drugs we rely on, to the entertainment that we enjoy. Not only has the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) been a part of United States innovation policy since the country was founded, but to see its relevance in our own day-to-day lives we only need to look at the rise of AI created art, soaring drug prices, or impending release of 1989—Taylor’s version. There is not a single good or service that we enjoy in our daily lives that is not in some way, shape, or form affected by the protection of IPR. (1) BioPiracy & Protecting Traditional Knowledge The federal government has a fiduciary responsibility towards American Indians. See, e.g., S. v. Mitchell, 463 U.S. 206, 224 (1983). Similarly, the U.S. has a legal obligation to protect tribes and their citizens—extending to tribal and individual citizens’ intellectual property issues. Affirmative Case: The United States federal government should prevent biopiracy and significantly strengthen its protection of indigenous intellectual property rights in copyrights, patents, and trademarks. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge (GRATK) was adopted on May 24, 2024. The Treaty establishes a mandatory patent disclosure requirement – this requires patent applicants to disclose the country of origin of the genetic resources and/or the Indigenous Peoples or local community providing the associated traditional knowledge, if the claimed inventions are based on genetic resources and/or associated traditional knowledge. GRATK Treaty is an international legal instrument to combat biopiracy through disclosure requirements for patent applicants whose inventions are based on genetic resources and/or associated traditional knowledge. Affirmative Case: The United States should join the WIPO GRATK Treaty. (2) Patent Eligibility Restoration Act of 2023 (PERA) Currently, subject matter eligibility is determined by examining whether the claimed invention is directed to certain ineligible categories, and if so, whether there is an inventive concept. Subject matter eligibility is one of several requirements that an invention must satisfy in order to receive patent protection. Affirmative Case and Negative Case: The U.S. Congress should/should not pass the PERA bill (S.2140) to amend the law relating to patent subject matter eligibility to establish that only specified subject matter (e.g., a natural process wholly independent of human activity) is ineligible for patenting. Join our IPL Section Chair, Martin Rogers and Policy Debate Teams from Hellgate and Sentinel to learn about these cutting edge IP Issues through a lively debate. The students will be sharing contrasting viewpoints on these topics and the importance of IP.	1.25 general
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.	Closing Remarks & Reception at Law School

Speaker Bios

Jorge L. Contreras

Jorge Contreras is the James T. Jensen Endowed Professor for Transactional Law and the Director of the Program on Intellectual Property and Technology Law University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. He has previously served as a visiting fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science and Tilburg University in the Netherlands and is currently serving as a visiting professor at the University of Minnesota School of Law. Professor Contreras’s research focuses on intellectual property law and science policy. He has published more than 150 academic articles and chapters and has written or edited 14 books including The Genome Defense: Inside the Epic Legal Battle to Determine Who Owns Your DNA (Hachette/Algonquin, 2021), which was recognized by the New York Times as one of the top nonfiction books of the season and has received praise from news outlets ranging from the Wall Street Journal to Nature. Professor Contreras’s scholarship has received numerous awards and recognition, including the Patent & Trademark Office Society’s 2021 Rossman Memorial Award and the University of Utah’s 2020 Distinguished Research Award, and he is a three-time winner of the IPKat blog’s award for Best Patent Law Book of the Year. He is an elected member of the American Law Institute and the former co-chair of the National Conference of Lawyers and Scientists. He has testified before committees of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, the Federal Trade Commission and the European Commission, and has served as an expert witness in complex intellectual property cases in the United States, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, India, Taiwan and Brazil. He received his JD from Harvard Law School, earned his BSEE and BA in English at Rice University and clerked for Chief Justice Thomas R. Philips of the Texas Supreme Court.

Cynthia Laury Dahl, J.D. - Practice Professor of Law, Detkin IP and Technology Legal Clinic, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School

Cynthia Dahl is the Director of the Detkin Intellectual Property and Technology Legal Clinic, a “teaching law firm” at Penn Carey Law giving students the chance to help clients set and implement IP strategy.

She specializes in the business applications of intellectual property and technology and writes and speaks extensively around the country about teaching in this area.

Before joining Penn Carey Law, Dahl was Senior IP Counsel for TruePosition, Inc. a Liberty Media-owned international wireless location company. While at TruePosition, she grew the company’s extensive patent portfolio and developed the IP portfolios of three related start-up ventures, handled transactional intellectual property deals, and managed litigation and advocated in front of international standards bodies.

Prior to working at TruePosition, Dahl was a litigation associate at Holland and Hart LLP and Pennie and Edmonds LLP. Before launching her legal career, she counseled artists at Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts in New York, and held several jobs in policy and the press, including working for Senator Bill Bradley (D-NJ) and Nina Totenberg at National Public Radio.

As Detkin Clinic director, she works closely with the Penn Center for Innovation and Penn Carey Law’s Center for Technology, Innovation & Competition.

Ellie Dula - Policy Debate Coach, Hellgate High School

Ellie Dula is a first-year Political Science student at the ��ؿ� and the Policy Debate Coach at Hellgate High School in Missoula, MT. In just one competitive season, her students have consistently placed among the top high school debaters in the state. She loves helping students develop critical thinking skills, improve their public speaking, and dive into research on debate topics. After graduating from the ��ؿ�, she hopes to pursue a career as a United States diplomat.

Brian Frye - Spears-Gilbert Professor of Law, University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law

Brian L. Frye joined the faculty of the College of Law in 2012. He has taught classes on intellectual property, copyright, trademark, nonprofit organizations, art law, civil procedure, professional responsibility, contracts, property, constitutional law, and media law, as well as seminars on intellectual property theory, property theory, and law & popular culture. He has also been a visiting professor at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, Tulane University School of Law, Southern University Law Center, and Jilin University Law School.

Professor Frye's research focuses on intellectual property and organizations, particularly related to artists, the art market, and arts organizations. He has published more than 100 academic articles and is known for his work on plagiarism, blockchain, legal history, and conceptual art in legal scholarship.

Professor Frye has written for outlets like Jurist, TechDirt, the Hill, October, The New Republic, Film Comment, among others. He has been quoted by publications including the New York Times, the Washington Post, NPR, Bloomberg's Money Stuff, CoinDesk, and Decrypt, among many others.

An artist as well, he produced the documentary “Our Nixon” (2013), which premiered at SXSW, aired on CNN, and had a nationwide theatrical release. His artwork is in the Whitney Museum’s permanent collection, and his short films have been shown at major festivals. His current artistic practice explores the economic reality of the art market as a securities market.

Since 2018, Professor Frye has hosted the popular legal podcast Ipse Dixit, with more than 800 episodes and thousands of listeners.

For more information, visit his Wikipedia page:

Ann Goldes-Sheahan - Associate General Counsel, State Bar of ��ؿ�

state bar of montana Ann Goldes-Sheahan is Associate General Counsel and Equal Justice Coordinator with the State Bar of ��ؿ�. Ann is a 2013 graduate of UNLV’s William S. Boyd School of Law. When she’s not working, Ann can be found enjoying the ��ؿ� outdoors with her husband and two daughters.

Christopher Hayter, Ph.D. - Associate Professor, Georgia Tech School of Public Policy

Chris Hayter is Associate Professor with the School of Public Policy at the Georgia Institute of Technology. His research focuses on academic entrepreneurship, non-academic career transitions among university postdocs, and the performance of entrepreneurship development programs. Chris serves as a senior consultant for the World Bank and co-founded a software startup. Prior to joining Georgia Tech, he was on faculty at Arizona State University for nine years and spent 15 years prior working as a science and entrepreneurship policy advisor with organizations such as the National Academies, Council of Competitiveness, National Governors Association, and New York Academy of Sciences.

Nakia Henry - Trademarks Customer Outreach at the USPTO

Nakia Henry is an attorney advisor for Trademarks Customer Outreach at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). She uses her 19 years of experience as an examining attorney to help small businesses and educational professionals have a better understanding of trademark law and the federal trademark registration process. She serves customers through webinars, live presentations, conferences, relevant video content, and other multimedia platforms.

Before joining the USPTO, Henry worked at an intellectual property law office as an attorney. She earned a bachelor’s degree in speech communication from the University of Washington and a law degree from the University of Miami. She was the former president of the Intellectual Property Association at the University of Miami and is the recipient of several Customer Service Recognition Awards.

Seaghan Herron - Head coach of Speech and Debate, Sentinel High School

Seaghan Herron is in his second year of teaching English Language Arts and serving as Head Coach of Speech and Debate at Sentinel High School. Originally from Missoula, Seaghan graduated from Loyola Sacred Heart in 2001 and received his English Teaching degree from the ��ؿ� in 2010. Speech and Debate has been a part of his life since his junior year of high school and he is honored to head the Spartan Speech and Debate program where he gets to work with the best students in the state.

Quinton King - Senior Technology Manager

Quinton King is a Senior Technology Manager at ��ؿ� State University where he supports technology transfer activities for MSU, and through his affiliation with the MSU TechLink Center, he supports technology transfer activities for the U.S. Defense Health Agency. His role involves helping to secure intellectual property protections for innovations developed within MSU and DHA research labs, and then facilitating public-private partnerships to help further develop and deliver these innovations for public benefit. Quinton received a J.D. from the ��ؿ� Alexander Blewitt III School of Law, a Ph.D. in Veterinary Molecular Biology from ��ؿ� State University, a M.S. in Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology and a B.S. in Biology from Frostburg State University.

Martin Rogers, IP Attorney

Martin Rogers grew up in small-town ��ؿ�. After spending thirteen years working in restaurants, he went on to attend The ��ؿ� Law School, where he graduated with honors. Currently, Martin is an intellectual property attorney based in Missoula, ��ؿ�, and truly enjoys his work. He handles various aspects of intellectual property, including procuring, prosecuting, enforcing, and consulting on issues related to copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, unfair competition, and software. Additionally, he has a passion for litigating IP cases. When he’s not practicing law, Martin loves to spend his time backpacking, hunting, fishing, and watching football.

Jacob H. Rooksby, J.D., Ph.D. - Smithmoore P. Myers Dean of Gonzaga University School of Law; Professor of Law

Jacob H. Rooksby is proud to be an academic, administrator, and attorney. Appointed Dean of Gonzaga Law School in 2018, Rooksby’s focus at Gonzaga has been on innovating the law school’s programming, facility, and operations and integrating the school further with the broader university and regional communities. A champion of diversity who established the first LGBTQ+ rights legal clinic at a Catholic law school in the country, Rooksby has worked to establish pay equity for faculty and provide equality of opportunity for students, faculty, and staff alike. He holds a joint appointment as a Professor of Law and Leadership Studies and has taught five different courses throughout his deanship.

Rooksby’s scholarship lies in two fields: IP law and higher education law. He published a book with Johns Hopkins University Press in 2016, The Branding of the American Mind: How Universities Capture, Manage, and Monetize Intellectual Property and Why It Matters. He also is co-author of the 6th edition of The Law of Higher Education, the leading treatise in the field. His edited book at the intersection of IP and higher education, Research Handbook on Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer, was published by Edward Elgar in 2020.

Rooksby enjoys a strong connection to the legal profession. He holds law licenses in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington and formerly practiced with McGuireWoods LLP and Dentons Cohen & Grigsby P.C., the latter while a full-time academic. He currently serves as IP Optimization Strategist for FIG. 1 Patents, PLLC, a boutique IP law firm based in Spokane, and is an elected member of the American Law Institute.

Rooksby earned his A.B., summa cum laude, in Hispanic Studies and Government from the College of William & Mary, where he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and spent his senior year living amidst costumed interpreters in Colonial Williamsburg. He holds J.D., M.Ed., and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Virginia and completed post-graduate training in higher education leadership and management in 2019 at Harvard University.

An avid enthusiast of the outdoors, Rooksby enjoys hiking, biking, and camping with his daughter throughout the Inland Northwest.

Special Agent Nicholas Seedall - FBI Agent, National Security Expert, Counterintelligence Specialist

With nearly 17 years of experience in the FBI, Special Agent Nicholas Seedall has dedicated his career to national security and counterintelligence. Holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Information Systems from Utah State University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Westminster University, Nicholas's early career included work with General Electric in their financial division before joining the FBI.

Nicholas started his FBI career in the Los Angeles office and now serves in the Helena, ��ؿ� station, which falls under the Salt Lake City field office. Over the years, he has specialized in national security matters, with a primary focus on counterintelligence. As Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) coordinator for ��ؿ�, he plays a vital role in coordinating response efforts and overseeing national security initiatives across the state. Additionally, he is a key member of the Hazardous Evidence Response Team (HERT), responsible for handling hazardous materials and evidence in critical situations.

Special Agent Seedall is recognized for his expertise in handling sensitive counterintelligence cases and is committed to ensuring the safety and security of the nation through his work.

Meet the Organizers

Sarah is the co-founder and co-organizer of each of the installments of IP Day in ��ؿ�. She is a founding member and inaugural chair of the IPL Section of the State Bar of ��ؿ�. As part of her ongoing efforts and initiatives as past-chair, Sarah founded the Explorations Series featuring educational and professional development opportunities for ��ؿ� IP attorneys.

Now entering her 23rd year of IP practice in ��ؿ�, Sarah assists clients in securing and enforcing their intellectual property rights in the U.S. and international jurisdictions. Sarah counsels clients on developing strategies for protecting their IP assets and then represents them in patent, copyright, trademark, trade dress, trade secret and related matters. She is admitted to practice in the State Courts of ��ؿ�, the Federal Courts for the District of ��ؿ�, United States Tax Court, and is a Registered Patent Attorney. Sarah has served as counsel in trials and hearings in State and Federal Courts around the state, particularly serving as co-counsel with Michael Sherwood on many, varied criminal jury trials.

Sarah serves as Adjunct IP Professor at the Blewett School of Law and has presented a number of continuing legal education seminars over the years. IP Day in ��ؿ� is her firm’s central programming focus each year. Sarah would like to thank her paralegals Karen Fullerton and Caitlin Corson for their tireless efforts toward this event.
The organizers wish to acknowledge the efforts of Prof. Cathay Smith as a founder and former co-organizer of IP Day in ��ؿ�.
Prof. Smith is currently serving as Professor and Co-Director of the Program in Intellectual Property Law at Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Senior Technology Manager at ��ؿ� State University.

IP Day in ��ؿ� – Past Events

Each year, the organizers build educational programming featuring intellectual property. Past themes have included: IP for Start-Ups, Protecting Innovations in Business, and Ownership and Litigation of Ideas. In 2022, the IPL Section partnered with and hosted the event at ��ؿ� State University addressing topics on Agriculture & IP in Big Sky Country, particularly the Right to Repair. In 2024, the IPL Section and Blewett School of Law collaborated with the ��ؿ� State University and ��ؿ� Technology Transfer Offices to feature a day filled with University-inspired topics.

Check out books featured at past events:

The Branding of the American Mind: How Universities Capture, Manage, and Monetize Intellectual Property and Why It Matters by Jacob Rooksby
The Right to Repair by Aaron Perzanowski
You Don’t Own Me: How Mattel v. MGA Entertainment Exposed Barbie’s Dark Side by Orly Lobel

Residence Inn by Marriott Missoula Downtown

Residence Inn by Marriott Missoula Downtown ($215/night)
125 North Pattee Street
Missoula, ��ؿ� 59802
(406) 542-6252

If this link is not working for you, please email us at ri.msori.sales@marriot.com with your reservation details. Hotel block rate available Thursday, March 27, 2025 - Saturday, March 29, 2025. Last day to book: 2/27/2025.

Parking

A parking permit or guest pass is required to park on the UM campus throughout the year, Monday - Friday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Daily parking passes for visitors to the University, available for $8.00, are sold online at the Parking Portal () with Guest Account set up, at University Police, University Center Bookstore and Info Desk, the Treasury Office in the Lommasson Center, and the cashier’s window at Missoula College. More information, including a map of parking lots around campus and transportation alternatives, can be found at UM's Visitor Parking Page. View a map of the parking lot and law school entrances here. Parking Lot P is the closest lot to the law school.

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Alexander Blewett III School of Law

2025 IP Day in ��ؿ� Schedule - About Me IP

Friday, March 28, 2025 (Room 201, Blewett School of Law)