IP Summer School Kicks Off May 28: Trade Secrets in the Modern Workplace

Fire up your laptop and get ready for the first installment of the four-part IP Summer School Series.

Join Ward and Smith attorneys Gavin Parsons and Taylor Pulliam on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at noon. This session will focus on trade secrets. Attendees will gain practical insight into trade secrets and what qualifies as one, how misappropriation cases are decided, and the practical steps that actually hold up when things go wrong.

Who Should Attend?

The series is designed for business professionals and advisors whose clients are building or protecting intellectual property. No prerequisites required.

What Will Be Covered?

• May 28- Protecting Your Secret Sauce: Trade Secrets in the Modern Workplace – We’ll cover what qualifies as a trade secret, how misappropriation cases are decided, and the practical steps that actually hold up when things go wrong
• June 25- Patents and AI: What the Future of Innovation Looks Like – We’ll walk you through what the USPTO is saying about AI in patent work, strategic portfolio planning, and the right questions to ask before your next R&D investment.
• July 30- Trademark 101: What Every Business Owner Need to Know – We’ll break down how rights are created, the most common and costly mistakes, and how to make sure the brand you’re building is yours to keep
• August 27- IP Litigation: Protecting Your Brand at Home and Abroad – We’ll explain how enforcement cases are built, realistic timelines and outcomes, and how to treat IP protection as business strategy rather than legal emergency.

All sessions are offered from noon to 1pm EST.

The webinars are free to attend, but registration is required. Participants can sign up for this single session or register for all four in the series. Sign up here!