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CONNECTING WOMEN IN IP

“Our goal in forming this group is to bring together all women who work in the IP field in Chicago to help them enhance their practices and skill sets, and to provide a forum for the many successful women IP lawyers in the city to give back to their colleagues and to the community.”

 

Kara E.F. Cenar, an Officer and founding member of ChiWIP 
and leader of the IP Practice Group at Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C.

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Christkindlmarket Meet-Up
    Christkindlmarket Meet-Up
    Tue, Dec 05
    Richard J. Daley Center
    Dec 05, 2023, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM CST
    Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602, USA
    Dec 05, 2023, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM CST
    Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602, USA
    Join the ChiWIP Social Committee for our annual Christkindlmarket meet-up! The Christkindlmarket is a German-style outdoor holiday market that is a popular Chicago holiday season must-do. We will meet in the Daley Plaza around noon, browse the shops, and grab a bite to eat.
  • Private ART&Wine pARTy
    Private ART&Wine pARTy
    Wed, Jan 17
    The Paintbrush
    Jan 17, 2024, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM CST
    The Paintbrush, 2446 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
    Jan 17, 2024, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM CST
    The Paintbrush, 2446 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
    Enjoy time with your friends and a guided painting class.
  • ChiWIP Book Club - The Future
    ChiWIP Book Club - The Future
    Wed, Jan 24
    Online
    Jan 24, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CST
    Online
    Jan 24, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CST
    Online
    Join the ChiWIP Book Club for our first meeting of 2024. We will be discussing The Future by Naomi Alderman, a dystopian science-fiction, where unlikely friends band together to try to save the world from the corruption and power of tech-giants.
  • Bright Endeavors
    Bright Endeavors
    Now through December 18th
    Online
    Now through December 18th
    Online
    Now through December 18th
    Online
    ChiWIP is excited to partner with Chicago nonprofit Bright Endeavors again this holiday season! Their soy candles, reed diffusers, and bath salts make great gifts for family, friends, and clients.
  • Pre-Thanksgiving Peloton Ride
    Pre-Thanksgiving Peloton Ride
    Fri, Nov 17
    Online
    Nov 17, 2023, 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM CST
    Online
    Nov 17, 2023, 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM CST
    Online
    Join fellow ChiWIP members for a pre-Thanksgiving, 30-minute Peloton ride!
  • ChiWIP Celebrates Native American Heritage Month
    ChiWIP Celebrates Native American Heritage Month
    Wed, Nov 15
    Center for Native Futures
    Nov 15, 2023, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM CST
    Center for Native Futures, 56 W Adams St, Chicago, IL 60603, USA
    Nov 15, 2023, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM CST
    Center for Native Futures, 56 W Adams St, Chicago, IL 60603, USA
    Join us as we visit the newly-opened Center for Native Futures, a dynamic art space featuring the work of more than a dozen established and emerging contemporary Native artists from the Great Lakes region.
  • ChiWIP Book Club - The House in the Cerulean Sea
    ChiWIP Book Club - The House in the Cerulean Sea
    Wed, Nov 08
    Online
    Nov 08, 2023, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CST
    Online
    Nov 08, 2023, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CST
    Online
    Join the ChiWIP Book Club as we discuss The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune.
  • Panel Discussion of the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA)
    Panel Discussion of the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA)
    Thu, Nov 02
    Banner Witcoff
    Nov 02, 2023, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM CDT
    Banner Witcoff, 71 S Wacker Dr #3600, Chicago, IL 60606, USA
    Nov 02, 2023, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM CDT
    Banner Witcoff, 71 S Wacker Dr #3600, Chicago, IL 60606, USA
    Did you know that it has been more than 80 years since the United States has updated regulation of cosmetics and beauty products? Join us on November 2nd for a panel discussion on the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA).
  • BIÂN - Wine Tasting + Mingling
    BIÂN - Wine Tasting + Mingling
    Tue, Oct 24
    BIÂN
    Oct 24, 2023, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM CDT
    BIÂN, 600 W Chicago Ave suite 001, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
    Oct 24, 2023, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM CDT
    BIÂN, 600 W Chicago Ave suite 001, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
    Escape to BIÂN for a wine tasting and fun conversation in the intoxicatingly peaceful setting of Chicago's finest wellness space. Gathering in their main dining room lounge, beverages will include white wine option, red wine option, sparkling option, and a specialty mocktail.
  • Mentoring Circles Speed Networking
    Mentoring Circles Speed Networking
    Wed, Oct 11
    Reed Smith LLP
    Oct 11, 2023, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM CDT
    Reed Smith LLP, 10 S Wacker Dr ste 4000, Chicago, IL 60606, USA
    Oct 11, 2023, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM CDT
    Reed Smith LLP, 10 S Wacker Dr ste 4000, Chicago, IL 60606, USA
    Please join the Mentoring Circles Committee on October 11 for Speed Networking. Attendees will engage in brief one-on-one/small group exchanges, with prompts from a variety of mentorship topics targeted towards both personal and professional networking.
  • Hispanic Heritage Month Dinner
    Hispanic Heritage Month Dinner
    Tue, Oct 03
    Carnivale
    Oct 03, 2023, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM CDT
    Carnivale, 702 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60661, USA
    Oct 03, 2023, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM CDT
    Carnivale, 702 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60661, USA
    Please join ChiWIP for dinner and drinks at Carnivale on October 3rd for our annual gathering in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month! Attendees will purchase their own dinner and drinks.
  • Culinary Hearts
    Culinary Hearts
    Thu, Sep 28
    Ronald McDonald House
    Sep 28, 2023, 3:45 PM – 8:00 PM CDT
    Ronald McDonald House, 211 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
    Sep 28, 2023, 3:45 PM – 8:00 PM CDT
    Ronald McDonald House, 211 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
    Join the Community Involvement Committee at the Ronald McDonald House Near Lurie Children's Hospital for Culinary Hearts, a chef-led experience where groups of up to 10 volunteers cook a meal together for families who are staying there.
  • Fall Meet and Greet
    Fall Meet and Greet
    Tue, Sep 26
    The Green at 320
    Sep 26, 2023, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
    The Green at 320, 320 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606, USA
    Sep 26, 2023, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
    The Green at 320, 320 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606, USA
    Local law students are invited to join ChiWIP members at the Green, BMO Tower at 320 S. Canal, on Sept. 26, from 5-7pm. Weather permitting, the outdoor space will have live music and a farmer’s market. Please join us to mingle and get to know other law students and ChiWIP members.
  • ChiWIP Book Club
    ChiWIP Book Club
    Wed, Sep 13
    Virtual Event
    Sep 13, 2023, 7:00 PM CDT
    Virtual Event
    Sep 13, 2023, 7:00 PM CDT
    Virtual Event
    Our next meeting will be virtual again. We will be reading Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano. This book is a family portrait told through the stories of four sisters - a homage to Louise May Alcott's Little Women.
  • Back to School - Back to Business! Outdoor Yoga + Vino
    Back to School - Back to Business! Outdoor Yoga + Vino
    Wed, Sep 06
    Outdoor Park at 320 S. Canal
    Sep 06, 2023, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM CDT
    Outdoor Park at 320 S. Canal, 320 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606, USA
    Sep 06, 2023, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM CDT
    Outdoor Park at 320 S. Canal, 320 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606, USA
    Join for a fun 'back to school / back to business' outdoor yoga + vino class. Class will be 45 minutes 6pm-6:45pm followed by light snacks and wine 6:45 pm - 7:30 pm. Yoga mat and something comfy to wear is great. Try to bring a water bottle too and be ready to bend and get your body moving!
  • Movie in the Park with ChiWIP
    Movie in the Park with ChiWIP
    Tue, Aug 08
    Millennium Park
    Aug 08, 2023, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM CDT
    Millennium Park, 201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
    Aug 08, 2023, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM CDT
    Millennium Park, 201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
    Join the ChiWIP Social Committee for a free screening of the '90s teen classic Clueless in Millennium Park. We will meet up outside the park and find a place to picnic together. Bring a blanket and a snack and your nostalgia (As If!).
  • ChiWIP Book Club
    ChiWIP Book Club
    Wed, Aug 02
    Location is TBD
    Aug 02, 2023, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM CDT
    Location is TBD
    Aug 02, 2023, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM CDT
    Location is TBD
    Join the ChiWIP Book Club for our first IN PERSON meeting! Special Events Chair Alexis Lavko will be hosting the meeting at her home in Old Town. The exact address will be provided to attendees in advance.
  • LGBTQIA+ Pride Gathering
    LGBTQIA+ Pride Gathering
    Thu, Jul 27
    Jennivee's Bakery
    Jul 27, 2023, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CDT
    Jennivee's Bakery, 3301 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657, USA
    Jul 27, 2023, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CDT
    Jennivee's Bakery, 3301 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657, USA
    Celebrate Pride with ChiWIP at LGBTQ owned Jennivee's Bakery (jenniveesbakery.com). Come by yourself, with your partner, or with your children, and join us for an after-dinner treat. Owned by Jenne Vailoces, Jennivee's offers something for everyone. Dessert is pay your own way.

WHO WE ARE

Chicago Women in IP (ChiWIP) is a networking and mentoring group committed to the connection, promotion and success of professional Chicago women in all stages of practice of every facet of IP law. 

 

Through regularly scheduled events, we offer seminars, knowledge sharing, career resources, and leadership opportunities for personal and professional development. ChiWIP provides a forum for women professionals in the field of intellectual property to share their successes and challenges with other women more openly than they might with colleagues at their own firms.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Klima - square.jpg

Catherine Klima

Board Vice Chair; Committee Development Co-Chair, In-House Advisory Member

Catherine Klima is Intellectual Property Counsel at Continental Automotive Systems, Inc., which develops technologies for mobility, ranging from autonomous vehicle innovation to improvements for fuel efficiency and safety. Because the automotive industry is rapidly changing, the body of law surrounding it is similarly constantly evolving. Catherine, a lifelong learner, enjoys the challenge each new day brings. She supports Continental's IP needs with a focus on patents, and also Standard Essential Patents and issues related to AI. Her days are balanced between the steadiness of managing a patent docket and handling unexpected legal challenges that frequently arise. "It keeps my days exciting and fresh," she says.

Art Dealer

“I think this could be a nice addition to the Chicago IP community and encourage the women to work better with one another from a mentoring and business development standpoint. It was nice to see many in-house counsel in attendance”

Jeanne Gills
Foley & Lardner

CONTACT CHICAGO WOMEN IN IP

Chicago, IL, USA

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