Intellectual Property is an essential element to successful ventures at all levels of business. We've assembled a distinguished panel with stellar credentials who have managed to navigate through challenges to achieve success time after time. We'll ask for their insights on navigating a business through the current challenging economic times and on how IP plays an important role. 

Topics will include:

• Budgeting for IP activities during a recession;

• How to prioritize IP filings in light of economic uncertainty;

• Patent and trademark filing strategies;

• Lessons learned from previous economic downturns; and

• Polling of IP topics for future roundtable events.

Following the discussion, the panel will take your questions.

PANELISTS

MODERATOR

DANIEL SINEWAY

PARTNER, MORRIS MANNING & MARTIN

SHEENA ALLEN was born in Terry, Mississippi and is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi where she received a dual degree in Psychology (B.S.) and Film (B.A.). In 2016, Sheena started her second tech startup, CapWay, making her the youngest female in America to own and operate a digital bank. The fintech company connects underserved millennials and Gen Z to today’s cashless economy.  In 2016, Sheena made her premiere in She Started It, a documentary film that follows five women around on their startup journey. In 2017, she released her first print book, The Starting Guide, about her early journey in tech. Sheena has been featured in various publications, including Inc. Magazine and Black Enterprise. Sheena is a 2018 Business Insider Under 30 Innovator, a member of the 2019 classes of Forbes 30 Under 30 and Inc. Magazine 30 Under 30, and the 2019 Inc. Magazine Female Founders 100 list. 

GREG KIRSCH is a Partner and the Head of the Intellectual Property Practice of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP. Greg serves as patent counsel to clients ranging from large multinational corporations to small startups and universities. He has prepared and obtained many hundreds of patents during his career for a diverse clientele for inventions spanning a full range of technologies. Greg is also an Adjunct Professor of patent law at Emory University School of Law and an Adjunct Professor of intellectual property law at Washington University School of Law (St. Louis). Greg is a past Chair of the State Bar of Georgia’s IP Law Section.

DAVID MOELLER is a technology entrepreneur with successful exits both in hardware, including Neuromatic Devices, with more than $1M in revenue, and in software, including CodeGuard, with $30M in mechanical devices, and Claw Hanging Systems, with more than 1,000,000 units sold via Whirlpool licensing deal. He is now focused on car security and safety as CEO of Keep Technologies. CodeGuard received Audience Choice awards from TechCrunch Disrupt, Venture Atlanta, ATDC/TAG CapVenture, and the MIT Enterprise Forum. After being featured on ABC's American Inventor in 2007, David grew a startup SAT/ACT test preparation business, Ivy Insiders, to several hundred employees and over $2M in annual revenues before leading it to its acquisition in 2010. Moeller was formally trained in General Electric's Technical Sales Leadership Program and held operations and sourcing positions with GE in the U.S. and China before beginning his entrepreneurial career. David has six patents and was selected by Georgia Tech’s Alumni Association as a Top 30 under 30.

JENNIFER SPARKS is an established and recognized writer, producer, and director. She has been successful as a marketing and communications professional with agency, corporate, governmental and non-profit organizations. She began her professional career working at Young and Rubicam advertising agency in Chicago, and she later served as New Mexico Governor Richardson’s Public Information Officer for the 89 school districts managed by the New Mexico Public Education Department. Jennifer recently formed Vacmobile™ and filed for a patent for her innovative suite of vaccination records solutions. Vacmobile is a developer of globally scalable solutions to securely authenticate and manage digital immunization and testing records. Vacmobile is digitally enabling employers to adhere to regulatory requirements and promote evidence-based best practices to keep their employees and their customers safe. In the US alone, more than 114 million people annually are required to provide proof of vaccination for their work or education.

DANIEL SINEWAY is a registered patent attorney who takes a strategic, business-focused approach to helping protect the IP rights of his clients, which include startups, early-stage entrepreneurial companies, and mid/large companies. He manages patent and trademark portfolios of all sizes, including preparing and filing patent and trademark applications and drafting license agreements. His areas of practice include electronic commerce and payment systems, Internet of Things (IoT), social media technologies, healthcare technologies, nanotechnology, and “green” technologies. Daniel also represents research organizations and universities to protect and commercialize their technologies.