Agenda – IIPLA 2026 Dubai

Agenda 2026

08:30 AM – 08:50 AM

Registration and Welcome Coffee

08:50 AM – 08:55 AM

Welcome Note

08:55 AM –10:00 AM

Future of IP Litigation & Enforcement: AI, Big Data, and Cross-Border Innovation Disputes

Exploring how AI, big data, and global innovation trends are reshaping the future landscape of IP litigation and enforcement.

Moderator

Panel Members

10:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Networking break

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM

Session 1:

IP Strategies in Emerging Markets

Insights into IP development, enforcement challenges, and investment opportunities in these rapidly growing regions.

Moderator

Panel Members

10:30 AM – 10:45 AM

Networking Break

11:15 AM – 12:20 PM

Session 2:

AI and IP Protection: Ownership, Infringement & Regulation

Examining legal frameworks surrounding AI-generated content and the evolving definition of authorship and rights.

Moderator

Panel Members

12:20 PM – 01:15 PM

Session 3:

Cross-Border IP Enforcement & Litigation Management

Strategies for coordinating global IP litigation and overcoming jurisdictional hurdles in enforcement.

Moderator

Panel Members

01:15 PM – 01:25 PM

A special talk on The Impact of Blockchain Technologies on Intellectual Property Protection

01:25 PM – 02:25 PM

Lunch Break

02:25 PM – 03:25 PM

Session 4:

Technology Transfer, Licensing & Data Protection in a Global Context

Best practices for negotiating, structuring, and managing IP licensing and technology transfer agreements worldwide.

Moderator

Panel Members

03:25 PM – 04:25 PM

Session 5:

Patent Prosecution Strategies in Key Global Jurisdictions

Understanding differences and harmonization efforts in patent filing and prosecution processes across major offices.

Moderator

4:25 PM- 4:35 PM

Networking Break

4:35 PM onwards

Award Nominations

04:30 PM – 05:30 PM

Session 6:

Trade Secrets, Data Protection & Cybersecurity in a Global Context

Protecting confidential business information amid increasing cyber threats and navigating global data privacy laws.

08:30 AM – 09:00 AM

Morning Coffee & Networking

09:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Session 6:

Copyright in the Digital Age: Streaming, AI & Social Media

Addressing copyright issues in the context of digital content, online platforms, and emerging AI-generated works.

Moderator

Panel Members

10:00 AM - 10:15 AM

Networking Break

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM

Session 7:

IP Valuation and Commercialization: Monetizing Innovation

Tools and methods for valuing IP assets and maximizing returns through licensing and strategic partnerships.

Moderator

Panel Members

11:15 AM – 12:45 PM

Session 8 (A):

Brand Protection, Trademarks & Designs in Global Markets

Tactics for combating counterfeiting, managing trademark portfolios, and enforcing rights internationally.

Moderator

Panel Members

12:45 PM – 01:30 PM

Session 8 (B):

Brand Protection, Trademarks & Designs in Global Markets

Moderator

Panel Members

01: 30 PM – 02:30 PM

Lunch Break

02:30 PM – 03:30 PM

Session 9:

IP Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration & Mediation

Exploring alternative dispute resolution methods to resolve IP conflicts efficiently and cross-border.

Moderator

Panel Members

03:30 PM – 04:30 PM

Session 10:

Middle East as an Emerging IP Power: Opportunities and Challenges

Highlighting regional initiatives, legal reforms, and the growing importance of the Middle East in the global IP landscape.

Moderator

4:30PM - 5:30 PM

Networking Continue

Agenda 2025

Agenda topics for Intellectual Property

08:30 AM – 08:45 AM

Registration and Welcome Coffee

08:45 AM – 08:50 AM

Welcome Note and Opening Ceremony

Azam Ghani, Founder and Director, WLF and IIPLA, USA

08:50 AM – 09:35 AM

Session 1: Global Legal Trends and Their Impact on Lawyers

Moderator: Mohammad Abandah, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer – Middle East, AON, UAE
Panelists:

Obaid Saeed Bin Mes’har, Managing Director, Winjustice, UAE
Sameet Gambhir, Vice President & Group Head – Legal, UFLEX Limited, India
Sahar, Senior Manager, Quality, Risk and Security, UAE
Ahmed Hussein Zekry, Head of Legal, Banque Misr, UAE/li>

Moderator

Panelist

09:35 AM – 09:50 AM

Networking Break

09:50 AM – 11:05 AM

Session 2: IP Licensing and Technology Transfer

Moderator: Ksenia Andreeva, Partner Morgan,Lewis & Bockius LLP, UAE
Panelists:

Ksenia Andreeva, Partner Morgan,Lewis & Bockius LLP, UAE
Rodeen Talebi, Associate, Fish & Richardson, USA
Viktoria Soltesz, Founder, The Soltesz Institute, Cyprus
Farrukh Irfan Khan,Chairman, United Trademark & Patent Services, UAE
Prayank Khandelwal, Founding Partner, Photon Legal, India

Moderator:

Panelist

11:05 AM – 12:05 PM

Session 3: Navigating the Complex Landscape of IP Protection

Moderator: David Sanker, Founder, SankerIP, USA
Panelists:

Jyoti Kumari, Founder, LexInnovision, India
Cary Levitt, Managing Director, Azami Global, North America
Liat Galily-Perel, IP Attorney, Perel Law Office, Israel
Bhavish Balloo, Intellectual Property Executive, EGR, Mauritius

Moderator

Panelist

12:05 PM - 12:25 PM

Special Talk: Copyright Protection for Artificial Intelligence Output

Speaker: Pablo Fernández Carballo Calero

12:25 PM - 12:40 PM

IIPLA - AWARDS

12:40 PM – 01:40 PM

Lunch Break

01:40 PM – 02:55 PM

Session 4: The Intersection of IP and Technology: Key Trends and Opportunities

Moderator: Aisha Y. Salem-Howey, Intellectual Property Attaché for the Middle East & North Africa, United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO), U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi
Panelists:

Mohamed Hegazy, Legal, Policy and Regulatory Advisor, Hegazy and Partners, Egypt
Daniel Tjoernelund, CEO, Azami Global, Israel
Muna Farid, Managing Director & Head of Legal, Hatch DWC-LLC, UAE
Tushar Khandekar, Partner, SS Intellectual Property Neeti (IPNeeti) Consultancy LLP, India
Aydan Mammadova, Lecturer and Researcher, Law Baku State University, Azerbaijan

Moderator

Panelist

02:55 PM – 03:40 PM

Session 5: Copyright in the Age of Digital Transformation

Moderator: Deborah Sztajnberg, CEO, Debs Consultoria, Brazil
Panelists:

Meriella Youssef, Corporate Counsel, Amazon Web Services, Dubai
Deborah Sztajnberg, CEO, Debs Consultoria, Brazil
Sanaz Javadi Farahzadi, IP Attaché, British Embassy Dubai, UAE

Moderator

Panelist

03:40 PM – 03:55 PM

Networking Break

03:55 PM – 05:25 PM

Session 6: AI and IP Rights: Challenges in Authorship and Ownership

Moderator: Natalia Zakharova, European Patent Attorney, COPA Copenhagen Patents, Denmark
Panelists:

Ahmed Zaki, Senior Vice President, Al Hamra, UAE
Justin Pierce, Co-chair, Venable LLP, New York
David Sanker, Founder, SankerIP, USA
Manuel Giesen, Founder, MGT Patent and Trademark Services, Hamburg/Dubai
Dania Fahs, self employed ADR practitioner, UAE and France
Indranil Sarkar, Principal, Fish & Richardson P.C., USA

Moderator

Panelist

05:25 PM - 07:00 PM

Session 7: International Patent Protection: Challenges and Best Practices

Moderator: Prayank Khandelwal, Founding Partner, Photon Legal, India
Panelists:

Usman Khan, Principal, Fish & Richardson P.C., USA
NATALIA ZAKHAROVA, European Patent Attorney, COPA Copenhagen Patents, Denmark
Iftikhar Ahsan, Manager, Jamjoom Pharma, Saudi Arabia
David Sanker, Founder, SankerIP, USA
Shuchi Agarrwal, Managing Director, SS Intellectual Property Neeti (IPNeeti) Consultancy LLP, India
David Kellis, Patent Attorney, Kellis IP, USA

Moderator

Panelist

7:00 PM- 7:20 PM

Special Talk:

Speaker: Herbert Schmidt

07:20 PM – Onwards

Closing Remarks for Day 1

09:00 AM – 09:45 AM

Session 8: Future Trends in IP: Metaverse, Virtual Worlds, and Emerging Litigation Challenges

Moderator: Prayank Khandelwal, Founding Partner, Photon Legal, India
Panelists:

Avinav Banerjee, Lead Intellectual Property Analyst, Airbus, India
Bahar Nalan Danış, Attorney at Law – Mediator, Turkey
Olaf Ungerer, Managing Partner, Page White & Farrer, Germany
Sandjar Muminov , President , Sandjar Group , UAE

Moderator

Prayank Khandelwal, Founding Partner, Photon Legal, India

Panelist

09:45 AM - 10:00 AM

Special Talk on the Future of Intellectual Property Rights and AI

Speaker: Sana Raees Khan, Supreme Court Renowned Criminal Lawyer, SRK Legal, India

10:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Networking Break

10:15 AM – 11:45 AM

Session 9: Brand and Trademark Protection: Trends, Challenges, and Dispute Resolution.

Moderator: Khumisi Kganare, Director, Kganare and Khumalo Incorporated, South Africa
Panelists:

Kamal Sharma , Director & Assistant General Counsel, Procter & Gamble , UAE
Rajesh Jagasia, Managing Partner, RIGHT JUST-IS Lawyers and Consultants LLP, UAE
Sadegh Shamshiri, Attorney, Hengam Legal Services, Tehran
Mona Adel , Deputy Manager of Trademarks , United Trademark & Patent Services, UAE

Moderator

Khumisi Kganare, Director of Kganare and Khumalo Incorporated, South Africa

Panelist

11:45 AM-12:25 PM

Session 10 : Data Protection and IP: Overlaps and Implications

Moderator: Kevin Fournier, Director, Intellectual Property Lawyer, Kevin J Fournier, Intellectual Property Legal Services Limited, UK
Panelists:

Valentina Giarrusso, Senior Counsel, VGS Corporate Lawyers, Italy
Yosr Hamza, Director, Legal & Compliance, Gartner, United Arab Emirate
Kevin Fournier, Director, Intellectual Property Lawyer, Kevin J Fournier, Intellectual Property Legal Services Limited, UK

Moderator

Panelist

12:25 PM - 01:10 PM

Session 11: IP and Regulatory Landscapes: Overlaps, Implications, and Antitrust Perspectives

Moderator: Mohamed Hegazy, Legal, Policy, and Regulatory Advisor, Hegazy and Partners, Egypt
Panelists:

Khumisi Kganare, Director, Kganare and Khumalo Incorporated, South Africa
Yahia Fahmy, Global Trade and Tax Advisory , Deloitte , United Arab Emirates
TBA

Moderator

Mohamed Hegazy, Legal, Policy, and Regulatory Advisor, Hegazy and Partners, Egypt

Panelist

01:10 PM – 02:10 PM

Lunch Break

02:10 PM– 02:55 PM

Session 12: Trade Secrets and Trademark Protection in the Age of AI: Challenges and Future

Moderator: Jyoti kumari, Patent Attorney, Founder LexInnovation, India
Panelists:

Ayisha Mehrin C.A, In-House Counsel, iMile Delivery, UAE
Muhammad Talal Farrukh Irfan Khan, Senior Associate , United Trademark & Patent Services , UAE

Moderator

Jyoti kumari, Patent Attorney, Founder LexInnovation, India

Panelist

02:55 PM – 03:25 PM

Session 13: IP Monetization and Valuation: Patents and Copyrights

Moderator: Sanaz Javadi Farahzadi, IP Attaché, British Embassy Dubai, UAE
Panelists:

Sparsh Arora, Senior Manager, Lear Corporation, India
Manuel Giesen, Founder, MGT Patent and Trademark Services, Hamburg,Dubai
Amr Eldakak,Principal, Amr Eldakak Intellectual Property, LLC , UAE

Moderator

Sanaz Javadi Farahzadi, IP Attaché, British Embassy Dubai, UAE

Panelist

03:25 PM - Onwards

Closing Session and Key Takeaways

Azam Ghani, Founder and Director, IIPLA

08:30 AM – 08:45 AM

Registration and Welcome Coffee

08:45 AM – 08:50 AM

Welcome Note and Opening Ceremony
Azam Ghani, Founder and Director, WLF and IIPLA

08:50 AM – 09:35 AM

Session 1: Global Legal Trends and Their Impact on Lawyers

Moderator: Mohammad Abandah, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer – Middle East, AON, UAE
Panelists:
- Obaid Saeed Bin Mes’har, Managing Director, Winjustice, UAE
- Sameet Gambhir, Vice President & Group Head – Legal, UFLEX Limited, India
- Sahar Hasan, Senior Manager, Quality, Risk, and Security, UAE
- Ahmed Hussein Zekry, Head of Legal, Banque Misr, UAE

Moderator

Panelist

09:35 AM – 09:55 AM

Networking Break and Group Photo

09:55 AM – 10:40 AM

Session 2: The Role of Technology in Modern Law Practice

Moderator: Mohamed Afir, Managing Partner, Legal & Compliance Advisor, Maghreb Legal & Compliance, Morocco
Panelists:
- Dr. Abd Almageed Eisa, General Legal Counsel, Elite Legal Consultancy Firm, UAE
- Mehak Aster, Advocate, Aster Mehak High Court of Balochistan Pakistan, UAE
- Sakshi Singhal, Advocate, SAKSHI LAW ASSOCIATES, India
- Saakar S. Yadav, Founder , Lexlegis Solutions Pvt ltd. ,India

Moderator

Panelist

10:40 AM – 12:40 PM

Session 3: Cross-Border Disputes and International Arbitration

Moderator: John Lowe, Arbitrator and Mediator, Lowe Arbitration, France
Panelists:
- Céline Kanakri, Partner, BLK Partners, Dubai, UAE
- Varun K Chopra, Managing Partner, VKC LAW, India
- Nico Mooduto, Partner, SSEK LAW Firm, Indonesia
- Ziad Salloum, Managing Partner, Salloum & Partner, UAE
- Manohar Samal, Principal Associate, Ratan Samal & Associates, India
- Badr Aljaafari, Managing Partner, Aljaafari & Albassam Law Firm, JB Law, Saudi Arabia
- Edward Miller, Co-Founder and Partner, Madison Legal Ltd, UK

Moderator

Panelist

12:40 PM – 01:40 PM

Lunch Break

01:40 PM – 01:55 PM

Special Talk: Revolutionizing Criminal Litigation: The Role of AI in Modern Legal Practice

Speaker: Sana Raees Khan, Supreme Court Renowned Criminal Lawyer, SRK Legal, India

01:55 PM – 02:15 PM

Workshop: Cyber Threat and Cyber Resilience in the Legal Sector – Step by Step How Not to Get Hacked

Speaker: Marek Laskowski, IT Director, Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka (DZP), Poland

02:15 PM - 02:30 PM

Special Talk on Accelerating Legal Research and Practice

Speaker: Saakar S. Yadav, Founder, Lexlegis Solutions Pvt Ltd., India

02:30 PM – 03:30 PM

Session 4: Safeguarding Data in a Digital Era: Navigating Privacy and Compliance Challenges

Session 4: Safeguarding Data in a Digital Era: Navigating Privacy and Compliance Challenges

Moderator: TBA
Panelists:
- Sally S-Flifel, Corporate, and Commercial Projects Lawyer, Confidential, UAE
- Eslam Mezar, Data Privacy & Information Technology Lawyer, HEMOdata, UAE
- Nikhil Solanki, Group Legal Counsel & Data Protection Officer, LuLu Group International,UAE
- Mohamed Afir, Managing Partner, Legal & Compliance advisor, Maghreb Legal & Compliance, Morocco

Moderator

Panelist

03:30 PM – 03:50 PM

Special Talk: Effective Conflict Resolution: Insights from Cyprus’s Civil Procedure Rules and Mediation as a Pre-Litigation Measure

Speaker:
- Despo Andreou, Director, Pyrgou Vakis Law Firm, Cyprus
- Nota Pelekanou, Director, Pyrgou Vakis Law Firm, Cyprus

03:50 PM – 04:10 PM

Networking Break

04:10 PM – 05:10 PM

Session 5: The Intersection of LegalTech, AI, and Blockchain: Exploring the Potential of Emerging Technologies in Litigation

Moderator: TBA
Panelists:
- Joseph Moghrabi, Founder, Moghrabi ADR, United Kingdom
- Robert Whitehead, Partner & Head of DIFC, Hamdan Al Shamsi Lawyers & Legal Consultants LLC, UAE
- Daniel Feetham, Practice Head, Barrister, Madison Legal Ltd, UK
- Mahesh Jethani , partner, Lexlegis Solutions Pvt ltd., India

Moderator

Panelist

05:10 PM – 06:10 PM

Session 6: Digital Reputation & Risk Mitigation: The Key to Scaling Your Law Firm

06:10 PM – Onwards

Closing Remarks for Day 1

08:30 AM – 09:00 AM

Networking Coffee

09:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Session 7: Litigation in the Digital Age: Challenges and Opportunities

Moderator: Ugochukwu Eze, Senior Counsel, Dentons ACAS-Law, Nigeria
Panelists:
- Dr. Abd Almageed Eisa, General Legal Counsel, Elite Legal Consultancy Firm, UAE
- Greg MacFarlane, Managing Director, Morae, UAE
- Olamide Aleshinloye, Senior Associate, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, Nigeria
- Saakar S. Yadav, Founder, Lexlegis Solutions Pvt ltd., India

Moderator

Panelist

10:15 AM – 10:25 AM

Networking Break

10:25 AM – 11:50 AM

Session 8: Corporate Litigation: Lessons from High-Profile Cases

Moderator: Soukayna Awdeh, Senior Legal Counsel, Tadmur Holding W.L.L., UAE
Panelists:
- Ziad Salloum, Managing Partner, Salloum & Partner, UAE
- Varun K Chopra, Managing Partner, VKC LAW, India

Moderator

Panelist

11:50 AM – 01:10 PM

Session 9: Litigation Strategies: Discuss Mediation and ADR as Potential Pre-Litigation or Mid-Litigation Options for Dispute Resolution

Moderator: John Lowe, Arbitrator and Mediator, Lowe Arbitration, France
Panelists:
- Ayman Al Ashry, Senior Legal Consultant, Hamdan Al Shamsi Lawyers & Legal Consultants LLC, UAE
- John Lowe, Arbitrator and Mediator, Lowe Arbitration, France
- Varun K Chopra, Managing Partner, VKC LAW, India
- Jeremie Fierville, Partner, Signature Litigation, France
- Palash Gupta, Partner, Jerome Merchant, India

Moderator

Panelist

01:10 PM – 02:10 PM

Lunch Break

02:10 PM – 03:00 PM

Session 10: Navigating Complex Litigation: Insights from Senior Counsel

Moderator: Palash Gupta, Partner, Jerome Merchant, India
Panelists:
- Soukayna Awdeh, Senior Legal Counsel, Tadmur Holding W.L.L., UAE
- Mohammad Abandah, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer – Middle East, AON, UAE
- Dr. Yasser Aboismail, General Counsel and Compliance Officer, Schindler Group, UAE
- Ahmed Zaki, Senior VP, Al Hamra, UAE

Moderator

Panelist

03:00 PM – 03:20 PM

Networking Break

03:20 PM – 04:10PM

Session 11: The Future of Legal Practice: Ethics, Technology, and Change

Moderator: Manohar Samal, Principal Associate, Ratan Samal & Associates, India
Panelists:
- Dr. Abd Almageed Eisa, General Legal Counsel, Elite Legal Consultancy Firm, UAE
- Rajesh Kshetry, Advocate, Kshetry And Associates, India
- Swarbhanu Bhattacharya, Partner, Lex Ally Global FZC LLC, Sharjah
- Mahesh Jethani, Partner, Lexlegis Solutions Pvt Ltd., India

Moderator

Panelist

04:20 PM – 05:20 PM

Session 12: From Vision to Growth: Strategic Development and Branding for Law Firms

Moderator: TBA
Panelists:
- Aman Abbas, Founder, LawWiser, India
- Nikhil Kirtane, Independent Lawyer & Consultants, Nikhil Kirtane & Associate, India
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