IP Innovators

DeepIP
  • 0.0 (0)
  • CAREERS

🎙️ Real Stories. Evolving Practice. The Future of IP Law IP Innovators features in-depth conversations with leading patent practitioners about their career journeys and how technological advances—from automation to AI—are reshaping the way they practice law every day. Hosted by IP journalist Steve Brachmann, each episode offers candid insights from attorneys on the front lines of innovation, sharing how they adapt, grow, and lead in a rapidly changing IP landscape. 📌 IP Innovators is proudly sponsored by DeepIP – your trusted AI patent assistant.

Episodes

  1. Writer’s Block Is Dead: Drew McElligott on AI in Legal Practice

    MAR 5

    Writer’s Block Is Dead: Drew McElligott on AI in Legal Practice

    In this episode of IP Innovators, host Steve Brachmann sits down with Drew McElligott, Counsel at Crowell & Moring, to explore what AI actually looks like inside a modern law firm—and why, as McElligott puts it, “writer’s block is pretty much dead.” From litigation and Hatch-Waxman strategy to medical device innovation and firmwide AI rollouts, Drew shares a grounded, practical view of how artificial intelligence is reshaping legal work without replacing legal judgment. He reflects on AI as a drafting partner—one that turns lawyers into editors rather than first-drafters—while also digging into the realities of trust, training, and governance. From vetting tools for confidential use to comparing AI’s evolution from a “summer associate” to a “fourth-year,” Drew offers a candid look at what’s working, what still needs refinement, and why the genie isn’t going back in the bottle. 👨‍💼 About the Guest: Drew McElligott is Counsel at Crowell & Moring, where he focuses on patent and trademark litigation for leading pharmaceutical, medical device, and consumer products companies. He was recognized in The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® – Intellectual Property Law (2021). He has extensive experience in federal court litigation and inter partes reviews before the USPTO. Prior to practicing law, Drew conducted cardiovascular research at Loyola University. 🔧 Sponsored by DeepIP — your patent intelligence platform, from idea to enforcement. 🛎️ Subscribe to hear more real stories, evolving practice, and the future of IP law.

    42 min
  2. Counting ROI or Chasing Hype: Stephanie Curcio on the True Test of AI in Patents

    JAN 5

    Counting ROI or Chasing Hype: Stephanie Curcio on the True Test of AI in Patents

    In this episode of IP Innovators, host Steve Brachmann sits down with Stephanie Curcio, CEO and co-founder of NL Patent, to explore how AI has evolved from concept-based prior art search to touching every stage of the patent lifecycle. Stephanie reflects on her journey from patent prosecution to legal tech founder and what she’s learned from being an early mover in AI for IP. She also digs into the real ROI of AI tools, why efficiency isn’t the only metric that matters, and how firms should think about ethics, security, and the quiet comeback of the build vs. buy debate. From sneaky “AI features” in legacy tools to modular tech stacks and in-house workflows, Stephanie shares a candid view of where AI in patent practice is today—and where it’s headed next. 👩‍💼 About the Guest: Stephanie Curcio is the CEO and co-founder of NL Patent, an AI-native platform for searching and analyzing patent data. A former patent attorney, she has held leadership roles within the American Intellectual Property Law Association’s Emerging Technologies Committee and serves on the advisory board of IP Watchdog. 🔧 Sponsored by DeepIP — your patent intelligence platform, from idea to enforcement. 🛎️ Subscribe to hear more real stories, evolving practice, and the future of IP law.

    42 min
  3. Building a Tech-Forward Patent Practice: Phil Harris on Automation and AI

    10/31/2025

    Building a Tech-Forward Patent Practice: Phil Harris on Automation and AI

    In this episode of IP Innovators, host Steve Brachmann sits down with Phil Harris, Equity Partner and Patent Practice Group Leader at Holland & Hart, to trace his journey from mechanical engineering to leading one of the most tech-forward IP teams in the Mountain West.  Phil shares how his firm built custom automation and AI tools to streamline prosecution—from managing IDS filings to analyzing office actions—and how in-house innovation has transformed the way patent professionals work.  👨‍💼 About the Guest: Phil Harris leads Holland & Hart’s Patent Practice Group, focusing on cutting-edge technologies like AI, wireless communications, and medical devices. With over a decade at the firm, he’s helped shape how automation and AI are integrated into patent law practice. 🔧 Sponsored by DeepIP — your patent intelligence platform, from idea to enforcement. 🛎️ Subscribe to hear more real stories, evolving practice, and the future of IP law.

    35 min
  4. Trust but Verify: AI as Every Attorney’s Second Pair of Eyes

    09/16/2025

    Trust but Verify: AI as Every Attorney’s Second Pair of Eyes

    In this episode of IP Innovators, host Steve Brachmann sits down with Mark Kesslen, Partner and Chair of the IP Group at Lowenstein Sandler, to trace his path from electrical engineering to chief patent counsel on Wall Street—and how that fintech vantage point shapes his practice today. We dig into LabMorgan’s early online payments bets, the ripple effects of State Street → Alice → Recentive, and where AI is already moving the needle in prosecution (IDS automation, office-action drafting, claim-charting) — plus the security and workflow realities firms must get right. 🚀 About the Guest: Mark Kesslen advises venture-backed startups and iconic tech brands on patents, trademarks, and IP strategy, with deep expertise in fintech and proptech. Former Chief Patent Counsel at JPMorgan Chase. 🔧 Sponsored by DeepIP — your trusted AI patent assistant: https://www.deepip.ai/ 🛎️ Subscribe to the channel for more real stories at the intersection of law, tech, and AI. 🎙️

    32 min
  5. When Engineering Meets Law: Aaron Capron’s IP Odyssey

    07/23/2025

    When Engineering Meets Law: Aaron Capron’s IP Odyssey

    In this episode of IP Innovators, we sit down with Aaron Capron, partner and head of the Patent Office Practice at Finnegan, to trace his unconventional path from Lockheed’s GPS labs to leading one of the busiest patent prosecution teams in the U.S. 🛰️⚖️ Aaron shares how a cold call from a headhunter changed his career, what he learned as a USPTO examiner (think: video games and slot machines), and how he's helping clients navigate AI, quantum, semiconductors, and more in 2025. 🚴‍♂️💻🧠 👨‍💼 About the Guest:  Aaron Capron leads Finnegan’s Patent Office Practice and is a seasoned IP attorney with experience across litigation, appeals, and high-volume portfolio management. He’s also a mentor, a finalist for California’s “Mentor of the Year,” and still hitting PRs in CrossFit at nearly 50. 🏋️‍♂️🧘 🔧 Sponsored by DeepIP – your trusted AI patent assistant: https://www.deepip.ai/ 🛎️ Subscribe to the channel to hear real stories, evolving practice, and the future of IP law.

    30 min
  6. From Patent Office to Managing Partner: Chris Agrawal's Journey

    06/13/2025

    From Patent Office to Managing Partner: Chris Agrawal's Journey

    In this episode of IP Innovators, host Steve Brachmann talks with Chris Agrawal, Managing Partner at Bookoff McAndrews, about his journey from sifting through stacks of physical patents at the USPTO to building a cloud-first, tech-forward IP practice. 📂➡️🤖 Hear how Chris navigated law school while working full-time, helped launch a lean, prosecution-focused firm, and is now piloting generative AI to make patent drafting more efficient. Discover what’s changed — and what hasn’t — in patent law over two decades. 👨‍💼 About the Guest: Chris Agrawal is Managing Partner at Bookoff McAndrews, a boutique IP firm focused exclusively on prosecution and counseling. With a background in mechanical engineering and a deep appreciation for automation, Chris brings broad tech experience and a passion for client-focused innovation. 🔧 Sponsored by DeepIP – your trusted AI patent assistant: deepip.ai 🛎️ Subscribe to hear more real stories, evolving practice, and the future of IP law.

    30 min
  7. From Paper Trails to Patent AI: Paul Hunter on 27 Years of Evolutions in IP Practice

    04/18/2025

    From Paper Trails to Patent AI: Paul Hunter on 27 Years of Evolutions in IP Practice

    In this first episode of IP Innovators, veteran patent attorney Paul Hunter, Partner and Electronics Practice Co-Chair at Foley & Lardner, shares his journey from filing patents using fax machines to leading an AI-accelerated practice. A candid look at how real careers adapt—and thrive—as technology transforms the future of IP law. 👨‍💼 About the Guest: Paul Hunter is a leading IP attorney with deep expertise in electronics, software, AI/ML, semiconductors, and more. As chair of Foley’s Electronics Practice and managing partner of the San Diego office, he helps companies protect cutting-edge tech through patents and trade secrets. This podcast is sponsored by DeepIP – your trusted AI patent assistant. For more information, visit: deepip.ai 🛎️ Subscribe to hear more real stories, evolving practice, and the future of IP law.

    24 min
  • 7 Episodes

About

🎙️ Real Stories. Evolving Practice. The Future of IP Law IP Innovators features in-depth conversations with leading patent practitioners about their career journeys and how technological advances—from automation to AI—are reshaping the way they practice law every day. Hosted by IP journalist Steve Brachmann, each episode offers candid insights from attorneys on the front lines of innovation, sharing how they adapt, grow, and lead in a rapidly changing IP landscape. 📌 IP Innovators is proudly sponsored by DeepIP – your trusted AI patent assistant.

Information

  • Creator
    DeepIP
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 IP Innovators
  • Show Website
    IP Innovators

You Might Also Like