LexOrbis Hosted 17th AIPLA Women In IP Global Networking Event Across Five Indian Cities

LexOrbis Hosted 17th AIPLA Women In IP Global Networking Event Across Five Indian Cities

LexOrbis recently organised the 17th session of the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) Women in IP Global Networking Event 2024 across five major cities in India. Held under the theme "Cultivating Leaders," the event brought together over 370 attendees from various professional backgrounds, including lawyers, entrepreneurs, academics, and corporate professionals. The discussions focused on leadership, mentorship, and overcoming challenges faced by women in the fast-evolving world of intellectual property law.

New Delhi | April 18, 2024 | India Habitat Centre

The series began on April 18, 2024, at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. The session featured prominent speakers such as Dr. Malathi Lakshmikumaran, Executive Director and Practice Head at Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan; Ms. Bithika Anand, Founder and CEO of Legal League Consulting; Prof. (Dr.) Alka Chawla, Professor-In-Charge at Campus Law Centre; Ms. Shilpi Jha, Senior Commercial Specialist & IP Policy Advisor-South Asia at USPTO; and Ms. Himanshi Kharb, Assistant Controller of Patents & Designs at the Indian Patent Office. The session, moderated by Ms. Gauri Kumar, IP Law & Policy Expert, explored the evolving intellectual property ecosystem for women both in India and globally. The panelists shared their personal journeys, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and networking in cultivating future women leaders.

Pune | April 19, 2024 | JW Marriott Hotel

On April 19, 2024, the event moved to the JW Marriott Hotel in Pune. The event began with a welcome note and theme address by Ms. Manisha Singh, Managing Partner at LexOrbis. Esteemed guest speakers included Dr. Nitin Shukla, Principal Scientist & Head IPR Group at National Chemical Laboratory; Dr. Niti Dewan, Patent & Trademark Attorney, Head of Patents & Business Development at R K Dewan & Co.; Ms. Smita Raktawan, Lead-Prosecution, IP & Engineering, FRS Services at Tata Consultancy Services; and Ms. Ahna Agrawal, Officer-Intellectual Property Rights at Uno Minda Limited. The session was moderated by Ms. Harshada Wadkar, Senior Manager – BD & Tech Transfer (Emerging Tech) at IKP Knowledge Park.

During the panel discussion, the speakers shared their leadership journeys and the challenges they faced. They offered insights on navigating barriers and biases, and strategies for self-advocacy. The discussion also highlighted the importance of building a supportive ecosystem for personal and professional growth, emphasizing the value of mentors and sponsors in career advancement.

Ahmedabad | April 22, 2024 | Hyatt Regency

The third chapter took place in Ahmedabad on April 22, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency. Renowned speakers such as Ms. Gopi Jatin Trivedi, Senior Partner at Y.J. Trivedi & Co.; Ms. Dipmala Mathapati, Assistant Registrar of Trademarks and GI at the Trademarks Registry, Ahmedabad; Dr. Maryam Kaveshgar, Assistant Professor at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Ahmedabad University; and Ms. Shaina Shah, Director of the International Centre for Entrepreneurship & Career Development, provided valuable insights. Moderated by Ms. Nidhi Buch, Associate Professor at Gujarat National Law University, the session focused on the challenges faced by women innovators and the importance of mentorship. The panelists shared success stories and discussed strategies to support women in their intellectual property journeys, including securing funding, navigating the patent application process, and dealing with legal issues.

Chennai | April 24, 2024 | Taj Connemara

The Chennai event on April 24, 2024, at Taj Connemara, featured distinguished speakers including Ms. Mahalakshmi Balasubramaniam, Deputy Controller of Patents & Designs; Ms. Priya Menon, Journalist & Founder; Ms. Baminee Viswanat, Global General Counsel; and Ms. Divya Abhishek, FICCI FLO Chennai’s Chairperson. Moderated by Ms. Sudha Ramalingam, Senior Advocate & Women Activist, the discussion revolved around creating a supportive ecosystem for women in IP. The panel emphasized the need for effective mentorship programs and finding a balance between career aspirations and personal life commitments, crucial for achieving sustained professional growth.

Hyderabad | April 25, 2024 | Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre

Concluding the series on April 25, 2024, at the Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre, the Hyderabad chapter featured speakers such as Ms. Karuna Sree Yenishetti, General Manager at HETERO LABS Ltd.; Dr. Divya Singh, Business Development and IP Officer at CSIR-CCMB; Ms. Swati Tata, Executive Officer, IPR South, CII Telangana State Office; Ms. Nirupa Vijayumar, Lead, Programs and Accelerator at CIE IIIT Hyderabad; and Ms. Anuradha Barua, Manager-Admin & Paralegal at IKP PRIME, IKP Knowledge Park. Moderated by Dr. R. Kalapana Sastry, Managing Director at AgHub, the session focused on supporting, mentoring, and empowering women to take leadership roles. The panel highlighted the changing dynamics of leadership traits and the importance of determination and perseverance in overcoming obstacles.

A notable addition to the event was the GI Products Exhibition organized by Haath Ka Bana. This exhibition showcased locally made handicrafts, including textiles, pottery, and jewellery, promoting the works of local artisans and drawing significant attention from attendees.

The 17th AIPLA Women in IP Global Networking Event 2024, organized by LexOrbis, provided valuable insights into leadership and mentorship for women in the intellectual property field.