Doing More with Less: Global Patent Prosecution Strategies Under Cost Pressure (RECORDING)

Adam Bramwell is an experienced legal professional, currently serving as Assistant Chief Intellectual Property Counsel and Business Counsel at Solventum, where his responsibilities include developing and executing intellectual property strategies, managing patent portfolios, negotiating and drafting IP-related agreements, supporting innovation and R&D initiatives, and advising on global IP litigation, licensing, and enforcement matters.  In his capacity as Business Counsel, Adam provides strategic legal guidance on commercial transactions, regulatory compliance, and risk management to support business objectives across the enterprise. His past roles include Assistant Chief Intellectual Property Counsel at 3M and Associate in Dorsey & Whitney’s Minneapolis office. His educational credentials include a J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota.

Shruti Costales is the Owner & Founder at Shruti Law PLLC®. Shruti is a licensed US patent attorney and has worked in private practice, in-house, and with the Federal Government. She has 20+ years of deep legal experience in handling patent and trademark application drafting and prosecution, patent counseling, patent litigation, IP transactions, complex commercial transactions including drafting and negotiating XaaS agreements and handling FED/SLED agreements, supply chain agreements, product counseling, and due diligence and mergers & acquisitions related assessments. Her experience includes working in the chemicals/materials technologies (e.g., microelectronics including semiconductors, integrated circuits/chips, microprocessors, and memory devices; batteries and fuel cells; catalysts; polymers; additive manufacturing; food/nutrition; nanotechnology; oil and gas; tire and rubber; building materials/composites; water treatment/purification; tobacco/nicotine products; filtration solutions; performance materials; and consumer goods), life sciences/healthcare technologies (e.g., biotechnology & diagnostics; pharmaceutical – small molecule and large molecule; medical surgical products; dental & ophthalmological solutions; and purification and filtration technologies), electrical & computer technologies (e.g., electronic devices and components; consumer electronics; microelectronics including semiconductors; and financial, business, and fintech services), and mechanical technologies (e.g., automotive and smart mobility technology; mechanical components; and medical devices). Shruti has a BS in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University and a JD from Franklin Pierce Law Center (now the University of New Hampshire School of Law). She is a member of the Patent Pathways® Board of Directors. Shruti is currently Vice-Chair of IPO's Small/Micro Company & Law Firm Committee. Over the last decade, Shruti has co-led IPO's DEI and Women in IP committees where she co-authored many white papers, guides, and toolkits. Recently, Shruti led and co-authored a collaboration between ADAPT and IPO for a Practical Guide on Allyship, Mentorship, & Sponsorship. 

Erik Perez is an experienced Intellectual Property and Legal Operations Leader with a strong background in the oil & energy and chemical industries. Erik brings a unique blend of technical expertise and strategic leadership, with a proven track record in driving operational excellence, managing complex legal ecosystems, and fostering innovation. Erik holds a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry and an Executive MBA focused on Leadership and International Business. Erik has a deep understanding of chemistry and R&D environments paired with firm/vendor management, data & analytics, and business strategy. He’s also passionate about developing people, transforming processes, and leveraging digital solutions to streamline legal functions. As an internationally invited speaker, Erik has enjoyed sharing insights on intellectual property, legal finances, operational excellence, process improvement, and leadership.

Derek Somogy is Assistant General Counsel and a patent attorney at Caterpillar Inc. Derek currently leads Caterpillar’s U.S.-based patent obtaining team, and before that he was lead IP counsel for a business unit. Prior to joining Caterpillar, Derek worked at Wood Herron & Evans in Cincinnati and Renner Kenner in Akron. He studied law at The Ohio State University Moritz College of law and physics at The College of Wooster.

Hunter Yancey Jr.  practices intellectual property law focused on patent law while leveraging over two decades of experience. His current Qualcomm role is lead patent counsel for wireless connectivity and compute technologies. This dynamic role includes patent preparation and prosecution; legal support for advocacy, litigation, and licensing activities; providing counsel to business and technical leads on various patent matters; and partnering with IP team colleagues to develop and hone protection strategies for Qualcomm’s intellectual property. Prior to Qualcomm, his firm experience included an array of intellectual property matters at Troutman Sanders in Atlanta. Hunter holds a EE bachelor’s degree from Georgia Tech and a JD from UNH’s Franklin Pierce School of Law.