Patents That Matter: Portfolio Pruning, Value Demonstration & Executive Buy-In

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. 

Ed Lin is an experienced IP attorney for Caterpillar Inc. He currently oversees IP support for supported business units, including: coordinating international support (Asia, Europe, and the United States), managing to IP budget, and providing practical and creative legal solutions. He has extensive experience negotiating and drafting agreements, overseeing patent prep and prosecution, managing outside counsel, running patent review boards, supporting M&A and VC deals, providing highly customized presentations to senior leadership, and working in a matrix organization. 

Cynthia Mitchell is Assistant Chief IP Counsel at Solventum, where she brings a wealth of IP, M&A, divestiture and spin experience as well as experience in Fortune 500 medical device, electronics, telecom and renewable energy companies. Cynthia leverages more than two decades of experience as a patent attorney and in-house counsel in her work representing clients in a full range of intellectual property matters. She grounds her counsel in the day-to-day realities her clients face. Cynthia partners cross functionally with business partners to navigate complex business and intellectually property issues including IP agreements, strategic IP portfolio development and management, litigation and a myriad of other intellectual property matters.

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.

Thomas Wong serves as patent counsel for the Experiences and Devices Division at Microsoft. In that role, he is responsible for building, managing and utilizing patent portfolios associated with Microsoft’s M365 products.