CIPA Student Conference 2025

Audience

All

Helpful Information

Moot Court

A dynamic and engaging session designed to showcase the advocacy skills of the next generation of patent attorneys.

What to Expect

🔹 Live Courtroom Simulation – Watch trainees argue a mock IP case before an expert panel, gaining insight into the legal reasoning and strategic thinking behind patent litigation.
🔹 Expert Judging Panel – A distinguished panel of patent attorneys, barristers, and judges will provide valuable feedback, offering attendees a deeper understanding of case law and litigation strategy.
🔹 Engaging Debate & Legal Insight – Witness compelling arguments on complex IP matters, gaining a front-row seat to the kind of advocacy patent attorneys engage in at the highest level.
🔹 Networking & Professional Development – Connect with fellow professionals, gain valuable insights, and support emerging talent within the field.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional, an IP enthusiast, or a trainee looking for inspiration, this session promises to be both educational and entertaining.

Programme & Speakers

Thursday 10 April

• 09:00 - Breakfast and registration
• 10:00 - Welcome and Introduction
• 10:15 - Networking Without the Nerves: A Practical Guide for Trainee Patent Attorneys

  Speakers

  

  Michael Evans, BDforIP

  Michael Evans, BDforIP

  Michael works together with attorneys, intellectual property firms and departments around the world to help them realize their business development goals. He has specialized in delivering business opportunities in the IP legal field with both clients and associates around the world since 2003, establishing BDforIP in 2015. He has a proven track record in international sales, account management, and business development, as well as strong client-facing skills, experience at dealing at all levels of an organisation and identifying business opportunities.  Specialties: Business Development Mentorship / Client Retention / Client Growth / Soft Skills Training / Business Networking

• 11:00 - Session 2
• 11:45 - Refreshment break
• 12:15 - Balancing Act: Beating Imposter Syndrome and Thriving at Work

  Speakers

  

  Darren Smyth, EIP Europe LLP

  Darren Smyth, EIP Europe LLP

  Darren Smyth is a UK and European Patent Attorney, and was the head of EIP’s chemistry practice group EIP Elements until 2023.  He now holds the position of Head of Knowledge, and is known as an authoritative commentator on IP issues, having been a regular contributor to the IPKat weblog and the Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice among others.

  Darren has a masters degree in chemistry and DPhil in synthetic organic chemistry from the University of Oxford, and worked in Japan for two years at the Tokyo Institute of Technology before entering the patent profession.  Darren speaks Japanese and Spanish, and is conversant with French, German and Russian.

  Darren is co-chair of IP Out, the LGBT+ networking group within the IP Inclusive initiative in the UK Intellectual Property professions, and was a speaker at its inaugural event.  He is the convenor of the EIPride group within EIP.

• 13:15 - Lunch
• 14:30 - Moot Court
• 15:45 - Refreshment break
• 16:15 - Moot Court
• 17:00 - Closing Remarks
• 17:20 - 19:00 - Drinks Reception

Sponsors

• Exhibitors- Jonathan's Voice

  

  Jonathan’s Voice is a mental health charity that seeks to increase awareness of the need to protect mental health, understand suicide risk, reduce stigma, empower individuals to speak about their mental health and give individuals confidence in responding.

  We work alongside professional institutions, individual firms and CIPA (Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys), CITMA (Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys) and IP (Intellectual Property) Inclusive to help develop mentally healthy workplaces where all may thrive. As a charity all we offer is free at the point of delivery but we depend on donations and fund raising to be sustainable.

• Exhibitors- Patworld

  

  PatWorld Research Services

  Established by brothers, Dean Parry MSC (former UKIPO Examiner and scientific researcher) and Tim Parry MBA (an expert in Business and Marketing across a number of industries), they have built an impressive track record, since 2005 the team at PatWorld been consistently delivering exceptional research and customer service to IP Professionals, Tech companies and Universities Worldwide.

  Contact us with your search request today:

  • Mail
  • Webpage

  
  PatWorld Database

  Your Ultimate AI-Powered Patent Research Tool. PatWorld is the cutting-edge patent research platform revolutionizing the way professionals access patent information. Boasting seamless integration of Ai, analytics, project management tools, and collaborative features, PatWorld is the go-to choice for professionals worldwide, with subscription options to fit every budget.

  Contact us for a free (no obligation Demo and Trial):

  • Mail
  • Webpage 

  
  PatWorld Training Course

  We have been training professional researchers for over 20 years. Now you can gain CPD points and learn searching with our new online “Introduction to Patent Searching” course designed for busy people wanting to improve their understanding and skills. The 7 hour online course offers the flexibility of starting whenever you want and gives a full month to complete the course.

  Sign up today