AI & IP FORUM

Mr. Gramenopoulos is a partner in Finnegan, Henderson's Washington, DC office. He has more than two decades of experience assisting domestic and international clients in the electrical and computer technology fields. Mr. Gramenopoulos is an accomplished patent litigator and strategic IP advisor, handling complex and high-stakes patent matters both in and outside of the courtroom and before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). Recognized by The Legal500 U.S. and IAM Patent 1000, he is the lead author of the acclaimed international treatise, Global Patent Litigation: How and Where to Win, published by Bloomberg Law.

Dr Kemal Bengi-Akyürek was Chair of the EPO Board of Appeal 3.5.03 from December 2019 to November 2023 and, since 1 December 2023, has been Chair of Board 3.5.05, which is now responsible for the expanded technical spectrum of telecommunications, automation systems, mobile devices, acoustic devices (hearing aids), transport systems, and AI-based biomedical systems. He is also a member of the Enlarged Board of Appeal, the extended Presidium, the Committee for the revision of the Rules of Procedure of the Boards of Appeal (RPBA 2020), and Chair of the Advisory Committee on the application of the Code of Conduct of the Boards of Appeal. He also chairs the AI Group of the EPO Boards of Appeal.

Stephan is since 2020 the Head of IP Strategy and Research with the thyssenkrupp Intellectual Property GmbH which bundles the IP staff of the thyssenkrupp group. Prior to that, he worked as Expert IP Strategy and Research for thyssenkrupp IP. thyssenkrupp IP uses AI regularly for its patent work. Stephan is also member of an industry working group on AI and IP. He has a Master in IP Law and Management and a Master of Science in industrial engineering.
More information please click here.

As Merck Group's Head of Patents and Scientific Services, Kathrin is also responsible for coordinating the pharmaceutical company's global patent litigation disputes. She is a European Patent Attorney and a European Patent Litigator.

Nicole has been the Global IP Head at Sulzer, a top industrial company specializing in fluid engineering and chemical processing applications, since 2023. Prior to this role, she held positions as the Head of IP Management and IP Counsel for Sulzer's Chemtech Division. Before joining Sulzer, Nicole worked as a Senior IP Manager at Tillotts Pharma. She began her career in intellectual property at a private law firm before transitioning to Givaudan, a fragrance and flavor company. Nicole is a qualified European Patent Attorney and European Patent Litigator. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration degree and holds a background in biochemistry.

Sebastian Goebel is a European and German Patent Attorney and a founding partner of Bösherz Goebel, a decentralised, highly digitalised boutique patent law firm with patent experts throughout Germany. His professional focus is on the protection of digital technologies. Sebastian is passionate about AI and software development, both now and through his previous work as an electrical and computer engineer. Other areas of his expertise include medical engineering, electrical engineering, electronics, and signal processing. He is also a cochair of the I3PM's IP & AI Committee. He received the recognitions as one of IAM Strategy 300: The World's Leading IP Strategists of 2025.

David studied Physics at King's College London. He is a European patent attorney and has both legal and commercial IP experience. Most recently, he helped develop Aon's IP M&A advisory practice working closely with corporates and private equity firms. Prior to that, he worked at reputable US law firm Haley Guiliano, the patent practice spin-off from Ropes & Gray.