Greenberg Traurig is proud to sponsor the 2026 Midwest IP Institute, taking place September 24–25 in Minneapolis. The conference will bring together intellectual property professionals to explore emerging legal issues, practical strategies, and the latest developments across all areas of intellectual property law.
GT attorneys will play a prominent role throughout the program. On Thursday, September 24, from 10–11 a.m. CT, GT Associate Jake Abdo will serve as a panelist for “USPTO Patent and Trademark Updates.” The discussion will be moderated by Barry Schindler, former GT Shareholder and current Acting Commissioner for Patents at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
On Friday, September 25, from 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. CT, GT Shareholder Steve Baird will moderate the trademark and copyright panel “DuPont’s Abrupt AI Obituary: Are There Only Two Likelihood of Confusion Factors Left to Balance?” GT Of Counsel Mary Beth Myles will serve as a panelist alongside Tucker A. Chambers of Ecolab and Thomas Reichert of Simmons School of Law, Southern Illinois University.
Later that day, from 1:15–2:15 p.m. CT, GT Shareholder Craig Krummen will moderate “Understanding Dupe Culture: Trade Dress, False Advertising, Influencers, and Brand Enforcement,” featuring Stephen Lee of Target and Tricia Ann-Olson Zachary of Ovaile Law Group as panelists.
In addition to his role as a speaker, Steve Baird serves as Editor of the 2026 edition of the IP Book and as a Planner for the Midwest IP Institute. The 2026 edition of the IP Book, which provides key developments, strategies, and practical guidance for IP professionals, is included with registration for the Institute.