Building Patent Portfolio Value and Strategic Licensing Trends for In-House Counsel

Patent portfolios are under increasing pressure to do more than protect innovation. In today’s market, in-house legal teams are being asked to manage costs, support business growth, and think more strategically about how patent assets can create long-term value. That includes making smart decisions about portfolio development and pruning, while also understanding how licensing structures, acquisitions, and patent pools can help advance business goals and reduce risk.

Join us on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Palo Alto as Ryan Smith, Hin Au, and Stefan Geirhofer of Wilson Sonsini, together with a distinguished panel of industry leaders, discuss practical strategies for building stronger patent portfolios and navigating key licensing trends shaping 2026. The program will also explore the intersection of AI and intellectual property, followed by a networking reception.

Guest Speakers:

• Carl Bowers, Sr. Director, Associate GC, IP, Lyft
• Ryan Hanneken, Vice President, RPX
• Alicia Shah, In-House Counsel, Tenstorrent
• Nikki Qi, Legal Director, Kikoff; former Senior IP counsel at Pinterest and TikTok
• More to be announced!

Key Takeaways:

• How to build and maintain a high-value patent portfolio aligned with business priorities
• Strategies for pruning patent portfolios thoughtfully to optimize maintenance spend
• Licensing trends in 2026, including cross-licensing, patent acquisitions, and patent pools

Who Should Attend:

This program is designed for in-house counsel, chief IP counsel, patent counsel, deputy general counsel, and legal leaders responsible for managing and maximizing the value of their company’s intellectual property assets. It will also be valuable for legal and business professionals involved in patent strategy, licensing, innovation, and technology risk.

Connect with peers and Wilson Sonsini attorneys following the program.