Michael C. Newman, a Member of the Intellectual Property Section of Mintz, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., and Robert J. Moore, an attorney in the Intellectual Property Section, will participate in a panel discussion presented by the Massachusetts Chapter of the Federal Bar Association’s (FBA) IP Law Committee. The event will take place at Mintz Boston office on Tuesday, September 29.

Mr. Newman and Mr. Moore will be joined by Burns & Levinson Partner Stephen Chow for a panel discussion entitled, “Patent Reform Litigation.” The panel will take a look at the pending patent reform bills which seem to be getting some traction in Congress.  The features of these bills include changes to fee-shifting (making it easier to obtain attorneys’ fees), joining of non-parties to satisfy fee awards, penalties for bad faith or non-meritorious demand letters, higher pleading standards, staging of discovery, limits on venue, and changes to post-grant proceedings (restrictions to standing to bring PGR or CBM challenge, changes to claim construction standard, scope of estoppel).

The FBA represents the Federal legal profession and consists of more than 16,000 federal lawyers, including 1,200 federal judges, who work together to promote the sound administration of justice and integrity, quality and independence of the judiciary. The FBA also provides opportunities for scholarship and for judges and lawyers to professionally and socially interact.

Mr. Newman’s practice is focused on his work with the US International Trade Commission (USITC).  His cases in federal courts also include patents, trade secrets, and other intellectual property matters. The areas of technology in which he has particular experience include biochemistry, biotechnology, chemistry, computer software, mechanical devices, medical devices, semiconductors, and converged devices.

Mr. Moore is an attorney experienced in patent litigation and licensing. He practices primarily before the International Trade Commission and various federal District Courts, both asserting patents and defending against allegations of infringement.