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Luncheon Keynote: Partnering with Law Schools to Diversify the Intellectual Property Bar

Moderator: Barbara Fiacco, Foley Hoag, Boston, MA

Speaker: Dean Anthony Niedwiecki, Mitchell Hamline School of Law, St. Paul, MN

This past year has significantly increased awareness and interest in diversity, equity and inclusion (“DEI”).  The discussions have ranged from broad societal issues down to intellectual property practitioners and inventors.  While the discussions are useful, significant concrete steps are also needed to diversify the intellectual property bar.  Dean Niedwiecki will discuss DEI initiatives that are being undertaken and how law schools can assist the bar in overcoming historical gender and racial barriers.        

Speakers

• Fiacco, Barbara A.

  Foley Hoag, LLP | Co-Chair, Patent Litigation Practice

  Barbara Fiacco is Co-Chair of the Patent Litigation Practice and represents clients in complex intellectual property and patent litigation matters. Her technology-related practice focuses on the biomedical field, including counsel to companies with activities focusing on recombinant DNA, monoclonal antibodies, small molecule compounds, drug delivery, molecular diagnostics, and medical devices. She has defended pharmaceutical and life sciences clients in significant patent infringement lawsuits that have resulted in summary judgment or other favorable outcomes for her clients. Barbara is also the Immediate Past President of AIPLA
• Niedwiecki, Anthony

  Mitchell Hamline School of Law | Dean

  A longtime legal educator and activist on behalf of LGBTQ rights, Anthony Niedwiecki began serving as president and dean at Mitchell Hamline School of Law on July 1, 2020.