Our Speakers

Shriya Varma is an internationally qualified attorney and intellectual property professional with experience spanning the United States, Europe, and India. She specializes in intellectual property, technology transactions, privacy, and emerging technology governance, with a particular focus on the intersection of artificial intelligence, innovation, and global regulatory frameworks. Shriya served as a legal and compliance professional supporting multinational technology and life sciences organizations on complex commercial agreements, software licensing, data-sharing arrangements, and intellectual property strategy. Her work has included advising global stakeholders on privacy, AI governance, technology commercialization, and cross-border legal risks across North America, Europe, and Asia. She holds an LL.M. from the University of California Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings), where she was awarded the Virginia Leary Merit Scholarship and served as an Editor of the UC Law Science & Technology Journal. Shriya has contributed to scholarship and industry discussions on intellectual property in healthcare, cyberspace, digital commerce, and emerging technologies. Her publications and presentations have focused on trademark protection in the digital economy, intellectual property challenges in healthcare innovation, and the evolving relationship between AI and intellectual property law. At IIPLA 2026, Shriya will contribute to discussions on the future of global intellectual property, international collaboration, and the opportunities and challenges that emerging technologies present for innovators and rights holders worldwide.

Jaime A. Siegel is a globally recognized intellectual property strategist, licensing executive, entrepreneur, and legal expert with more than three decades of experience in patent licensing, litigation, portfolio management, and intellectual property commercialization. He is the Founder and CEO of Cerebral Assets, LLC, an intellectual property advisory firm that provides strategic consulting, licensing representation, patent valuation, due diligence, and expert witness services to leading global organizations, including Apple, Toyota Motor North America, Alibaba, AT&T, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Open Invention Network, and numerous technology innovators. Prior to founding Cerebral Assets, Jaime served as Executive Vice President of Litigation & Licensing at Acacia Research Corporation, where he oversaw revenue-generating licensing and litigation operations. He also spent over 15 years at Sony Corporation of America, ultimately serving as Vice President and Senior Intellectual Property Counsel. During his tenure, he led complex global licensing programs, intellectual property acquisitions, patent litigation strategies, and cross-industry patent pool initiatives that generated billions of dollars in revenue. An accomplished educator and thought leader, Jaime served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of California, Irvine School of Law, teaching Patent Litigation and The Law and Business of Patent Licensing. He has also been an Expert in Residence at the University of California, Irvine, mentoring startups and innovators on intellectual property strategy. Recognized as one of the IAM Top 300 IP Strategists and a WIPR Leader for multiple consecutive years, Jaime is a sought-after speaker, author, arbitrator, and expert witness. His extensive experience at the intersection of law, technology, business, and innovation has made him a trusted advisor to corporations, investors, and emerging technology companies worldwide.

With over 15 years of experience in the field of intellectual property (IP), Azam Ghani is a seasoned professional associated with the International Intellectual Property Law Association (IIPLA). Based in San Jose, California, Azam has contributed to the global IP community through leadership, speaking engagements, and thought leadership.

Earl Nied is the founder of Veracity IP Consulting LLC, which was established in 2023 to provide strategic guidance on intellectual property and standards development. Veracity IP assists clients in navigating and participating in standards development organizations (SDOs), forming new consortia, and addressing the business and legal implications of intellectual property rights policies in collaborative technology environments. Before founding Veracity IP, Earl held senior leadership roles at Intel Corporation over a career spanning more than 40 years. He served as U.S. Director of IP Policy and Global Director for Standards-Related Intellectual Property Rights, where he led engineering and legal teams and contributed to Intel’s global policy and regulatory strategies. Earl is a respected leader in the standards and intellectual property (IP) community. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). From 2012 to 2015, he chaired ANSI’sIntellectual Property Rights Policy Committee (IPRPC). His influence extends across numerous global and regional SDOs and industry consortia, where he played a pivotal role in shaping intellectual property policies. His contributions include working with ANSI, AVS (China), CESI (China), DVB, ECMA International, ETSI, JEDEC, IEEE, InfiniBand Trade Association, ITU/ISO/IEC, PCI-SIG, USB Implementers Forum, and others.

Payton Brianne is a former professional dancer turned talent agent. She is the founder of Briizy Talent Agency, where she represents dancers, choreographers, and specialty performers navigating today's rapidly evolving entertainment industry. She earned her J.D. from California Western School of Law and completed the Entertainment Law and Industry Certificate at the University of Southern California. Since launching Briizy Talent Agency in 2024, her clients have worked on campaigns and productions including T-Mobile, Starbucks, Uber, Kroger, Michael biopic, and the 2025 and 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Shows. Drawing from both her legal background and day to day work representing performers, Payton focuses on the intersection of entertainment law, intellectual property, and emerging technology. She has advocated for stronger copyright protections for choreographers and now works directly with artists navigating AI-related contract provisions, digital replicas, and the growing legal and ethical challenges surrounding generative AI in the entertainment industry.

Subroto Bose is head of IP at Astera Labs, where he manages Astera’s patent and trademark portfolio, domain names, customs enforcement, invention harvesting, and patent strategy. He has previously been assistant general counsel, IP strategy and development at Marvell Semiconductor, and senior director, global patent strategy and IP operations at Dolby Laboratories. Bose’s in-house experience includes global patent and trademark portfolio strategy, European patent prosecution, and patent acquisitions. He also advises on patent issues in licensing transactions, and issues related to standard-setting organizations and standard-essential patents. Bose has worked at several law firms, where he represented both plaintiffs and defendants before the International Trade Commission (ITC) and federal district courts.

Dr. Marc Nathmann, Senior Legal Counsel at ING Bank N.V., Amsterdam and Co Founder of FlexHub Digital Group, Berlin. Experience: 2004 to 2009 law studies at Münster and Speyer University, 2011 Japanese Law at Doshisha Law School, Kyoto and legal clerkship 2010 to 2012 at Regional Court of Münster and international law firms in Düsseldorf and Shanghai. 2013 to 2015 M&A lawyer at an international law firm in Düsseldorf. Since 2015 in-house legal counsel with Banks in Munich, professional focus on banking regulation. Since 2019 Legal Counsel with ING Group, in particular payment regulation and innovation. Academic focus on regulation of innovation in the field of banking and payments

Babak Akhlaghi is the Founder and Managing Director of NovoTech Patent Firm, where he leads the firm’s Washington, D.C. office and advises technology companies on building investor‑grade patent portfolios that support fundraising, growth, and competitive advantage. A registered patent attorney with deep experience in advanced technologies—including AI, machine learning, quantum computing, software‑driven hardware, robotics, and blockchain, Babak focuses on strategic patent preparation, prosecution, and long‑term portfolio design. He is also a permanent Adjunct Professor at the University of Maryland, where he teaches Legal Aspects of Entrepreneurship, and a co‑author of the Patent Applications Handbook, published annually by West Publications (Clark Boardman Division) since 1992. His work includes helping founders turn complex innovations into patents that withstand investor scrutiny and create meaningful business leverage.

Mr. Xia Weifeng’s primary practice areas include intellectual property and technology law, covering IP infringement disputes, IP transactions and international negotiations, corporate IP strategy planning, IP commercialization and operation, data compliance and protection, as well as the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements, particularly technology licensing and data compliance matters in cross-border transactions, such as representing clients in international negotiations. Mr. Xia has extensive experience in cutting-edge high-tech industries, including artificial intelligence, robotics, new materials, semiconductor manufacturing and equipment, medical devices, bioinformatics technology, and the pharmaceutical industry. Mr. Xia has long provided comprehensive legal services to high-tech enterprises, including IP due diligence, freedom-to-operate (FTO) investigations, IP risk assessments, technology investment value evaluations, and the structuring of commercialization frameworks for scientific and technological achievements (covering various models such as technology capital contribution, technology transfer, horizontal technology collaboration, and vertical technology licensing). Mr. Xia has substantial experience in IP litigation and dispute resolution, particularly in patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, having handled a significant number of litigation cases and represented leading domestic and international companies in various IP disputes.

Aden Chen is the Managing Partner of Lawjay Partners Shanghai, a PRC firm associated with Bird & Bird. Previously, I led the China IP practice as a partner at Duane Morris’ Shanghai Office and served for many years as the APAC IP Director and Global Litigation Counsel at AkzoNobel. With over 25 years of experience in IP and commercial law, I serve clients with business savvy and professional expertise. As a patent lawyer, I assist companies in the life science, biotech, medical device, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries on patent prosecutions, R&D collaborations, technology transactions, and patent disputes. I also provide legal advice in trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and unfair competition to support clients building and growing their business globally. I have assisted many IT and fintech companies as well on their complicated business deals and regulatory navigations. My understanding of the corporate environment enables me to deliver business-oriented legal solutions that meet the company's immediate needs and long-term business goals. In addition to my expertise in IP litigations, I also have substantial experience in commercial litigations, administrative proceedings, and cross-border investigations. I am also an expert on alternative dispute resolutions and have served as an arbitrator at the Guangzhou Arbitration Commission and CIETAC for many years. I have spoken at many international legal forums, sharing my insights on IP laws and commercial practices in China and in the US. I am one of the chief editors and key authors of the book ‘New Trends of Intellectual Property Rights – Practice and Essentials’, published by Peking University Press.

Dr. Yajun Hao earned his Ph.D. from Tsinghua University Law School and was a Visiting Scholar at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He is a life member of the Tsinghua University Entrepreneurship Association and a member of the Beijing Culture and Entertainment Law Society. Dr. Hao has long been dedicated to intellectual property research and legal practice, authoring numerous publications on both theoretical and applied legal topics. In recognition of his outstanding work, he was awarded the prestigious "Tsinghua University Alibaba Intellectual Property Youth Scholarship." As an experienced legal practitioner, he has successfully represented clients in multiple high-stakes, complex trademark disputes.

Reking is a Partner in the Intellectual Property practice group. Reking is experienced across the full spectrum of Intellectual Property (IP), franchising and technology, both non-contentious and contentious. Reking has advised clients both before the administrative IP authorities and the Chinese courts for trademark, copyright, design patent, trade secrets and domain name related matters. Additionally, he has advised multinational companies on IP and commercial operation matters involved in various cross-border business transactions, including drafting IP related agreements, IP audits, drafting and negotiating franchising agreements and other commercial contracts. Reking is ranked as a “Next Generation Partner”, and Shanghai Elite (TMT, including AI and IP) for intellectual property by Legal 500 China 2026, a “Rising Star” and “Notable Practitioner” by Managing IP, “Individual – Enforcement and Litigation” by WTR1000 2026, “40 Under 40 2023” by LexisNexis APAC, and A List lawyer in intellectual property by China Business Law Journal 2026. Reking was invited to craft the China chapter of Lexology Panoramic: Franchise 2026. Reking is dually qualified to practice in China and the United States (California). He has served in multiple expert committees of INTA, and is currently sitting in the Madrid Systems Sub-committee.

Xiangxiang Ma is a partner at Anjie Broad LLP. She has a legal education background in both China and the United States, with over 15 years of professional experience. She has worked at multiple foreign law firms and venture capital funds, handling legal matters related to the full lifecycle of high-tech companies. This includes advising corporations and founders on issues concerning China’s technology policies and intellectual property rights. She possesses extensive experience in the TMT sector.

MICHAEL DRYJA has spent 30+ years representing technology-driven clients in the US. patent prosecution matters. His clients range from early-stage startups to major multinational technologies. companies, and his work emphasizes strategic portfolio development, including US patent filings and prosecution, often in collaboration with international law firms. Mr. Dryja’s practice includes substantial experience in artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), software, computing, electronics, semiconductor fabrication, materials science, mechanical, and related technologies.

Nazeer Ali is a Capital Partner of Hanley Flight & Zimmerman, a patent project and prosecution boutique in Chicago that represents six of the top 25 US-based patent earning entities. Nazeer has over 13 years of experience in U.S. patent prosecution and counseling with respect to multifaceted and complex issues in the mechanical, electro-mechanical, manufacturing processes, and computer areas. Prior to working at HFZ, Nazeer worked as a design engineer on cellular phones, base stations, and fitness equipment.

William Mansfield is the Director of Intellectual Property for ABRO Industries, Inc. headquartered in South Bend, Indiana. ABRO exports a wide variety of household, automotive and light industrial goods such as glues, tapes and oils from the United States under the ABRO® brand to individuals in developing nations worldwide. Mr. Mansfield is in charge of protecting the over 2,000 trademarks ABRO has registered in over 175 countries. He has himself traveled to 59 foreign countries and handled matters in over 160. Mr. Mansfield, after a stint in the U.S. Army working with Military Intelligence, began his work in intellectual.