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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

  • Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession
    Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession
    Fri, Apr 05
    Chapman Spingola, LLP
    Apr 05, 2024, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM CDT
    Chapman Spingola, LLP, 190 S LaSalle St ste 3850, Chicago, IL 60603, USA
    Apr 05, 2024, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM CDT
    Chapman Spingola, LLP, 190 S LaSalle St ste 3850, Chicago, IL 60603, USA
    Join ChiWIP for a discussion about diversity and inclusion within the legal profession. In light of the challenges to diversity initiatives, the conversation will focus on the steps law firms and organizations can take to help create a more diverse work environment.
  • ChiWIP Panel on IP Practice for Law School Students
    ChiWIP Panel on IP Practice for Law School Students
    Thu, Apr 11
    Fitch Even Tabin & Flannery LLP
    Apr 11, 2024, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
    Fitch Even Tabin & Flannery LLP, 120 S La Salle St suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60603, USA
    Apr 11, 2024, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
    Fitch Even Tabin & Flannery LLP, 120 S La Salle St suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60603, USA
    Interested in a practice in Intellectual Property? Join us for a panel discussion exploring the various aspects of an IP practice, followed by networking with ChiWIP members and law students from local Chicago schools.
  • Bring a Buddy to Yoga + Zen
    Bring a Buddy to Yoga + Zen
    Tue, Apr 16
    Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
    Apr 16, 2024, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
    Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, 320 S Canal St suite 3300, Chicago, IL 60606, USA
    Apr 16, 2024, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
    Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, 320 S Canal St suite 3300, Chicago, IL 60606, USA
    Bring a friend and join fellow ChiWIPers to meet their friends during a candlelit yoga class for 45 minutes that includes slow movements and flow with restorative meditation and quiet to soothe the soul. Class will be followed by refreshments and light bites.
  • Adler Planetarium Meet Up
    Adler Planetarium Meet Up
    Wed, Apr 24
    Adler Planetarium
    Apr 24, 2024, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    Adler Planetarium, 1300 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
    Apr 24, 2024, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    Adler Planetarium, 1300 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
    The Adler Planetarium is free and open to Illinois residents on Wednesdays after hours! Come join the ChiWIP Social Committee on April 24 for an exploration of the night sky. We will meet on the front steps of the Planetarium around 6 pm.
  • Chicago Women in IP Scholarship for the Advancement of Womxn in Law and/or STEM Graduate Studies
    Chicago Women in IP Scholarship for the Advancement of Womxn in Law and/or STEM Graduate Studies
    Apply by April 23
    Online Application
    Apply by April 23
    Online Application
    Apply by April 23
    Online Application
    ChiWIP is excited to announce our third annual Scholarship for the Advancement of Womxn in Law or STEM Graduate Studies!
  • ChiWIP Book Club
    ChiWIP Book Club
    Wed, Mar 20
    Virtual Event
    Mar 20, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    Virtual Event
    Mar 20, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    Virtual Event
    Join the ChiWIP Book Club for its March meeting where we discuss The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. As always, finishing or reading the book is not required! This meeting will be virtual.
  • What is Happening to DE&I?: A Panel Discussion in the Aftermath of the Harvard Decision and Subsequent Litigation
    What is Happening to DE&I?: A Panel Discussion in the Aftermath of the Harvard Decision and Subsequent Litigation
    Thu, Mar 14
    McAndrews, Held and Malloy
    Mar 14, 2024, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
    McAndrews, Held and Malloy, 500 W Madison St #35, Chicago, IL 60661, USA
    Mar 14, 2024, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
    McAndrews, Held and Malloy, 500 W Madison St #35, Chicago, IL 60661, USA
    Chicago Women in IP is partnering with the Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law to present a panel on the state of DE&I in law firms and companies in the wake of the Harvard affirmative action decision from the Supreme Court and the subsequent litigation and claims against law firms and companies
  • Girl Scouts IP Patch Event
    Girl Scouts IP Patch Event
    Sun, Mar 10
    Foley & Lardner
    Mar 10, 2024, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT
    Foley & Lardner, 321 North Clark, 321 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
    Mar 10, 2024, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT
    Foley & Lardner, 321 North Clark, 321 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
    In partnership with Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, ChiWIP will be hosting an event to educate Girl Scouts in both elementary and high school about all aspects of intellectual property law, including the basics of patents, copyrights, and trademarks.
  • ChiWIP Black History Month Heritage Lunch
    ChiWIP Black History Month Heritage Lunch
    Thu, Feb 29
    Taste 222
    Feb 29, 2024, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
    Taste 222, 222 N Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606, USA
    Feb 29, 2024, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
    Taste 222, 222 N Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606, USA
    Join ChiWIP in celebrating Black History month at Taste 222. We will gather together for a delicious lunch at a Black-owned restaurant and learn about the achievements of Black women in the legal field. Lunch is pay your own way. Please register by 2/23/2024.
  • Tips for Giving and Receiving Feedback
    Tips for Giving and Receiving Feedback
    Tue, Feb 27
    Reed Smith
    Feb 27, 2024, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM CST
    Reed Smith, 10 S Wacker Dr Suite 4000, Chicago, IL 60606
    Feb 27, 2024, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM CST
    Reed Smith, 10 S Wacker Dr Suite 4000, Chicago, IL 60606
    Giving and receiving feedback can be challenging. Join ChiWIP for a candid discussion about how to effectively manage and solicit feedback.
  • Intersectionality of Ethics, Mental Health & Diversity in Law and Practice
    Intersectionality of Ethics, Mental Health & Diversity in Law and Practice
    Thu, Feb 22
    Online
    Feb 22, 2024, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM CST
    Online
    Feb 22, 2024, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM CST
    Online
    Join us on February 22nd for a CLE event on the Intersectionality of Ethics Mental Health & Diversity in Law and Practice featuring Mercedes Meyer, Ph.D., a Shareholder at Banner Witcoff.
  • Greater Chicago Food Depository Repacking Event
    Greater Chicago Food Depository Repacking Event
    Fri, Feb 16
    Greater Chicago Food Depository
    Feb 16, 2024, 1:00 PM – 3:45 PM CST
    Greater Chicago Food Depository, 4100 W Ann Lurie Pl, Chicago, IL 60632, USA
    Feb 16, 2024, 1:00 PM – 3:45 PM CST
    Greater Chicago Food Depository, 4100 W Ann Lurie Pl, Chicago, IL 60632, USA
    Join the ChiWIP Community Involvement Committee to volunteer at the Greater Chicago Food Depository on Friday, February 16th from 1:00PM-3:45PM. We will be working in an assembly line with other volunteer groups to repack donated and purchased food from bulk quantities into more manageable sizes.
  • ChiWIP's Annual Progressive Networking Dinner
    ChiWIP's Annual Progressive Networking Dinner
    Wed, Feb 07
    167 Events
    Feb 07, 2024, 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM CST
    167 Events, 167 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
    Feb 07, 2024, 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM CST
    167 Events, 167 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
    Our past dinners have brought together people from a wide array of backgrounds, including private and public corporations, academia, and law firms, to engage in dialogue and build relationships with one another. We are looking forward to another fabulous event this year.
  • In-House Counsel Life Webinar Series — Part 4: Transitioning When You’re Already In-House
    In-House Counsel Life Webinar Series — Part 4: Transitioning When You’re Already In-House
    Jan 30, 2024, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM CST
    Online
    Join us for Part 4 of our lunchtime webinar series on in-house counsel life presented by the ChiWIP In-House Advisory Committee. In this fourth session our panelists will share their experiences of looking for new positions after landing in-house.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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!

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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