In this workshop, legal experts from Procopio and Scale LLP will provide vital insights for startup creators and HopStart competitors, covering topics such as intellectual property protections, applying for trademarks and patents, forming a company, early-stage fundraising, regulatory concerns including FDA approval, the data privacy counsel, the financial services counsel, and more. Pizza will be provided. Please bring your own beverage.
Raph Kim focuses on the strategic management of patent prosecution and patent portfolio development in a variety of life science technologies including pharmaceutical compounds, chemicals, and biomaterials. A chemical engineer, Raph has conducted advanced biological experiments for human stem cell research and tissue engineering, e.g., by designing and fabricating microfluidic chips and nano/micro-scale surface patterns, and has experience in molecular biology, genetic modification, biochemical assays, advanced imaging, and nano/micro technology for biological uses. He once clerked for the largest law firm in South Korea.
Jeff Morton provides strategic intellectual property advice, including patent prosecution, and related transactional support for emerging and mature companies in a wide variety of industries, with a particular focus on life sciences and medical technologies. A PhD immunologist, he has extensive patent experience in technologies including genomics, immunology, and gene editing technologies, and advises on complex freedom-to-operate life sciences issues. Jeff also maintains an active trademark practice and provides cross-border legal advice with Canadian clients, being admitted in both the U.S. and Canada. He leads Procopio’s Life Sciences practice and co-leads its Licensing and Technology Transactions practice.
Jeff has been recognized by the World Intellectual Property Review as a U.S. Patent Leader and Trademark Leader and as an IAM Strategy 300 world-leading IP strategist.
Alex Slafkosky provides corporate and IP strategies to early-stage ventures and Fortune 500 companies. Alex especially enjoys developing and implementing IP strategies to protect brands, creative works, and inventions in the US and globally. Alex has worked on IP strategy for a leading technology company, VC-backed AI/ML companies, an autonomous vehicle joint venture, a Fortune 100 bank, a Fortune 100 aerospace company, and hundreds of early-stage startups. In his corporate practice, Alex advises clients on financing transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and other material transactions such as joint R&D arrangements and bespoke commercial agreements. Alex also advises companies on formation, corporate structuring, and various day-to-day general corporate matters.
Alex studied aerospace engineering as an undergraduate and competed on competitive engineering teams, where he designed satellite communications infrastructure and built a Martian rover with a robotic arm. Alex also was a member of the University of Maryland Varsity Lacrosse team.