Conference Sessions Summary
Sunday, October 4, 2026
NDA Local Chapter Meet & Greet
IP Chapter Meet & Greet
Pre-Conference Workshop - Aderant
Pre-Conference Workshop - PacerPro
Pre-Conference Workshop - CourtAlert
Buddy Meet & Greet
Monday, October 5, 2026
Michael S. Cohen, Partner, Duane Morris
Peter Geovanes, Founder and CEO Juris Tech Advisors
This 75-minute session gave docketing professionals a plain-English briefing on where Legal AI stands today. It covered what the tools can and cannot reliably do, how firms are adopting them, and the accuracy and ethical issues that matter most for deadline-critical work. In the second half, Peter Geovanes used the CRAFTED™ approach to prompt engineering to show how to write prompts that give consistent, verifiable results and how to build strong verification habits. Attendees left with techniques they could use right away and a framework for using AI responsibly.
IP - Roundtable
Members discussed (1) What to do When a Deadline is Missed, and (2) Managing Workload, Priorities and Burnout
Litigation - Roundtable
Members discussed (1) Onboarding and Offboarding, and (2) Organizing, Prioritizing and, Triaging Shared Mailboxes
IP - The Power Partnership: Strengthening Collaboration for Docketing Specialists and Paralegals
Kasie Grover, Kristin Hauser - Moderator: Kathy Morgan
This session showed how closer collaboration between docketing specialists and paralegals, two roles central to IP practice, builds a more efficient and resilient support structure. Through real-world scenarios, it covered best practices, overlapping workflows, communication expectations, and shared challenges. Attendees left with practical strategies to build trust, streamline processes, reduce errors, and strengthen client service and compliance.
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Redundancy is not a Dirty Word
Hal Morris, Partner and General Counsel, Saul Ewing, LLP and Faculty Member University of Chicago Law School
This session "rocked" attendees' views on dual docketing. Drawing on both the Rules of Professional Conduct and song, he showed how dual docketing helps "harmonize" calendars, avoid "dissonance," and set the "tone" for ethical behavior. The session addressed key risk management issues facing lawyers and docketing professionals.
LIT - The Math Behind Madness: Data Driven Staffing Strategies for Your Docketing Team
Karen Rubinson
This session showed how data analysis can turn docketing staffing decisions from guesswork into evidence-based strategy. Attendees learned to interpret key metrics such as attorney, matter, and request volume, and to use them to justify headcount and anticipate needs. Both litigation and IP docketing teams left with practical tools to advocate for the resources their departments need.
IP - TTAB Basics for Trademark Support Professionals
Kelley Evans, Kathy Morgan
This session gave docketing specialists and paralegals a practical look at TTAB oppositions, cancellations, and ex parte appeals, following a matter from start to decision and flagging common deadline risks along the way. Attendees came away with best practices for using ESTTA and TTABVUE, managing schedule changes, and giving attorneys clear deadline reporting.
Lit - Inside the Clerk's Office: The Front Door to the Justice System
Mariyana Spyropoulos, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Cook County; Michael P. Ciaccio, Chief of Staff; David A. Moses, Executive Clerk for Court Operations and Administration; James J. Chandler, Executive Clerk: General Counsel
An overview of the services that keep Cook County’s court records and filings accurate, efficient, and accessible.
IP - PTAB Basics
Brandy Zukanovich, Patent Attorney, Office of the Chief Judge, USPTO Patent Trial and Appeal Board
This session covered the basics of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) including discussion on ex parte appeals and post-grant proceedings under the America Invents Act.
Lit - To E-File or Not to E-File - Practices, Pitfalls, and Possibilities
Amber Goodenough, Bradley Small
Bradley Small and Amber Goodenough explained why firms are expanding the docketing role to include electronic filing, pointing to the benefits of centralized oversight, consistency, and risk management. They shared practical ways to strengthen e-filing workflows and handle common adoption challenges. They also offered guidance for teams considering a full-service approach to docketing.
IP - Panel Discussions
Ralph Bradley, Lori Martin, Mark Rolla, Deanna Snyder - Moderator: Kathy Morgan
This session looked at how workflow design, process standardization, and continuous improvement can reduce human error, one of the biggest risks in IP operations. Panelists shared strategies for pushing for meaningful process changes and discussed how AI is improving accuracy and decision-making across IP organizations.
Lit - Roundtable Discussion: Let's Talk E-Filing: Opportunities, Concerns, and Experiences (No PDF)
Amber Goodenough, Bradley Small
This roundtable brought together members from a range of firms to share their experiences with electronic filing, including when to adopt it and how to fold it into docketing teams. Participants traded practical strategies, successes, and ongoing challenges, and left with a broader view of how e-filing work is handled across the profession.
IP - Making Sense of Changes at USPTO
Mollybeth Kocialski Live! (Of Counsel, Holland & Hart) (No PDF)
Mollybeth shared insights on the latest USPTO metrics and recent developments in patent law and procedure. The session also looked at how the agency has evolved and advanced since the pandemic.
Lit - Team Building Across Legal Support Teams
Theresa Nguyentran, Kelly Whitfield
This session showed that successful litigation docketing depends on strong relationships, effective communication, and collaboration, not just deadlines and accuracy. It covered practical strategies for building trust and teamwork. Attendees participated in interactive discussions and real-world scenarios designed to foster engagement among in-office, remote, and hybrid team members.
IP - Fireside Chat (No PDF)
Mollybeth Kocialski, Of Counsel, Holland & Hart
After her remarks, Mollybeth joined a fireside chat about her tenure at the USPTO, her decision to leave public service, and her move into private practice. The conversation gave attendees an inside look at how the USPTO works and at the opportunities and challenges of going from government leadership to private practice.