Winston Charlotte Hosts IP-Focused American Inn of Court

Winston & Strawn Charlotte hosted members of the Kara Farnandez Stoll American Inn of Court for its inaugural membership meeting, bringing together Charlotte-area intellectual property legal professionals for a panel discussion moderated by Danielle Williams. Panelists included Keith Agisim (Bank of America); Amy Carrick (SGL Carbon); and Michael Springs (Truist Bank). They discussed the benefits of in-house roles, including collaboration with business teams and fostering innovation, as well as challenges like balancing priorities, managing risks, and selecting long-term outside counsel. The panel also explored the differences between in-house and private practice, decision-making in legal departments, and the importance of supporting innovation.

Key Takeaways

• Innovation and Collaboration: Fostering innovation is crucial, with an emphasis on teamwork, community engagement, and building long-term relationships with outside counsel.
• Challenges in Legal Roles: Managing competing priorities, evaluating risks, and securing internal support for initiatives.
• Decision-Making and Risk Management: Legal teams need adequate time to assess risks and involve the right decision-makers to implement a collaborative approach rather than simply providing a quick answer.