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:

• (Panelist/Guest Speaker) Carl Bowers, Sr. Director, Associate GC, IP, Lyft
• (Panelist/Guest Speaker) Ryan Hanneken, Vice President, RPX
• (Panelist/Guest Speaker) Alicia Shah, In-House Counsel, Tenstorrent
• (Panelist/Guest Speaker) Nikki Qi, Legal Director, Kikoff; former Senior IP counsel at Pinterest and TikTok
• (Panelist/Guest Speaker) Robert Cleary, General Counsel, Omnivision
• (WSGR BD/Marketing Support) Jill Stolarik, Director, Business Development
• (WSGR Marketing/Event Support) Shelly Jackson, Events Specialist
• (Panelist/Guest Speaker) Robert Cleary, General Counsel, Omnivision

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.

CLE credit in California and New York is being offered for this program (California: 1.75 General Credit and New York: 2.0 Professional Practice Credit) Pending Approval.

Connect with peers and Wilson Sonsini attorneys following the program.