The University of Montana’s Blewett School of Law, in partnership with the Intellectual Property Law Section of the State Bar of Montana, will host the seventh annual IP Day in Montana on Friday, March 27, 2026. The event will take place at the Blewett School of Law in Missoula and will focus extensively on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and intellectual property (IP) law.
This year’s program features a keynote address by Professor Martin Skladany, Samuel Weiss Faculty Scholar and Professor of Law at Penn State Dickinson Law. Professor Skladany will provide an in-depth exploration of adaptive AI laws—smart, flexible regulatory frameworks designed to activate only when specific real-world benchmarks are met. His presentation will address how such laws can proactively manage societal impacts of AI, including job displacement, inequality, and educational challenges, while fostering innovation.
In addition to the keynote, Sean Wilkerson, Innovation Development Outreach & Program Specialist from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), will discuss the newly established USPTO community engagement office in Montana. Located at Montana State University, this office aims to strengthen connections with local innovation hubs such as universities, technology accelerators, and startup communities. Wilkerson will highlight the Bozeman-Gallatin Valley’s designation as a federal Tech Hub in 2023 and the doubling of patent applications in the region between 2019 and 2023.
The event will also include a panel featuring Cas Laskowski, Technology & Empirical Librarian at the James E. Rogers College of Law, who will examine how AI and human-centered design are transforming legal education and practice. This discussion will focus on integrating emerging technologies responsibly into legal curricula and services, emphasizing ethics, access to justice, and the preservation of human judgment.
Another panel, led by Cody James, Director of the Jameson Law Library and Assistant Professor at the Blewett School of Law, will address the practical challenges attorneys face when incorporating generative AI tools into their workflows. Experienced IP attorneys and AI experts will share real-world examples centered on the four pillars of responsible AI adoption: competence, confidentiality, consent, and candor.
IP Day in Montana continues a collaborative mission between the Blewett School of Law and the Montana Bar’s IP Law Section to provide free intellectual property education to students, businesses, and the broader Montana community. Registration is free for the general public if completed before March 16, 2026. Legal professionals seeking Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit may register for $60 plus processing fees. After March 16, registration fees increase by $25 to accommodate catering adjustments.
The event offers a valuable opportunity for legal professionals, students, and innovators to engage with leading experts on the evolving challenges and opportunities at the nexus of AI and intellectual property law. Attendees will gain insights into regulatory trends, practical AI integration in legal practice, and regional innovation developments.
For more information and to register, interested parties are encouraged to visit the University of Montana’s Blewett School of Law website.
University of Montana to Host Seventh Annual IP Day Featuring AI and Innovation Law Discussions The Blewett School of Law at the University of Montana and the Intellectual Property Law Section of the Montana Bar will convene the seventh annual IP Day in Montana on March 27, 2026. This event will focus on emerging... Read the full IIPLA article: https://iipla.org/news/university-of-montana-to-host-seventh-annual-ip-day-featuring-ai-and-innovation-law-discussions