Introduction to Diversity & Inclusion Practical Guide 3.0: Part 1 (RECORDING)

Rachael Rodman is an accomplished litigator who concentrates her practice in the area of IP litigation, and has experience representing clients in variety of cases involving patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret claims. She also has experience in complex business litigation, and has litigated cases involving contract, shareholder, and non-compete disputes. In addition to her substantial trial experience in state and federal court, Rachael has extensive appellate experience, in both Ohio and federal appellate courts. Prior to beginning her litigation practice, Rachael clerked for the Ohio Court of Appeals for the Second Appellate District.  She has participated in arbitrations through the American Arbitration Association and the dispute resolution forums of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and the American Health Lawyers Association.

Serena Farquharson-Torres is senior counsel at Bristol-Myers Squibb Company where she is responsible for all aspects of patent procurement, counseling, due diligence, litigation and policy. She is located in Lawrenceville, NJ. Serena is focused on the global protection of the company’s innovation and brands. Serena works closely with R&D, manufacturing, and business colleagues to ensure meaningful exclusivity and freedom of operation for BMS products. Serena is also passionate about diversity and inclusion issues and is part of IPO’s Women in IP Committee and Diversity task force as well as the Diversity & Inclusion team of BMS legal department. Prior to joining BMS in 2016, Serena was Senior Counsel at Sanofi, Schering-Plough Corporation and in private practice. Serena has a B.S. in Chemistry from Howard University, Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from the University of Minnesota and a J.D., from the University of North Carolina School of Law. Serena has frequently presented on IP topics on behalf of law associations and industry groups.

Gloria Fuentes is Vice President & Assistant General Counsel for Bristol-Meyers Squibb. Previously, Gloria worked at Schering-Plough, Inc. (2006-2009), Ropes & Gray LLP (1999-2002) and Fish & Neave LLP (2002-2006). Most recently, Gloria was with Merck. Gloria has a J.D. from Columbia University, a Ph.D. from the University of Rochester and a B.S. from Cornell University. 

Elaine Spector is a patent attorney with over 20 years of experience in intellectual property law.  Her current practice consists primarily of prosecuting patent applications with a focus on electromechanical technologies. Prior to joining Harrity & Harrity, Elaine worked in private practice for over 15 years handling various intellectual property matters, including patent application drafting and prosecution, trademark prosecution and enforcement, as well as litigating complex patent cases in federal courts. Elaine’s extensive litigation experience provides her with a unique perspective in prosecuting patent applications.

Claudia Stangle is a partner in Chicago with over 20 years of experience and specializes in trademarks, trade dress, copyrights, false and comparative advertising, Internet law (including cybersquatting and domain name disputes), trade secrets, trademark and copyright licensing, right of publicity/privacy, and trademark acquisitions and divestitures.  Ms. Stangle has significant experience in complex inter partes proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB), has represented clients in federal courts around the U.S., and has won over fifty ICANN proceedings relating to domain name dispute matters for her clients.  She also has experience in patent infringement and trade secret litigation.  In addition to her litigation and dispute practice, Ms. Stangle has extensive experience in trademark counseling.  She has counseled clients by providing search advice and protectability opinions regarding domestic and global trademark availability.