Creative, Cost-Effective Strategies for Resolving Intellectual Property Disputes Virtual Regional CLE Program

Susan Perera is the Deputy General Counsel at UnitedHealth Group, Inc. She earned her JD at the University of Minnesota Law School.

Lesli D. Harris focuses her practice primarily on intellectual property, sports and entertainment law, and emerging companies. She has also successfully handled class action defense and general business litigation. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Harris was a partner at Stone Pigman Walther Wittman in New Orleans, Louisiana, and was formerly Chief of Staff and Executive Counsel to the President at Loyola University.

Ms. Harris received her LL.M in Trade Regulation, with a concentration in Intellectual Property, from New York University School of Law. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from Tulane University School of Law, and her B.A. from the University of Virginia. She is licensed to practice law in Louisiana and New York.

Lauren's practice centers around the resolution of complex commercial disputes, including general business and contract disputes, unfair competition, misappropriation of trade secrets and other confidential information, and trademark, trade dress, and copyright infringement.

Lauren's intellectual property practice involves both litigation and trademark portfolio management. In addition to her experience with trial, arbitration, mediation, and appellate proceedings, Lauren has experience representing clients before the United States Patent and Trademark Office in trademark registration and enforcement proceedings. She also assists with brand management and licensing of intellectual property portfolios.

Prior to entering the practice of law, Lauren worked as a professional journalist, and she now serves as a contributing editor for the American Bar Association's Litigation News. She remains active with the Duke University Alumni Association, serving on the Alumni Admissions Advisory Committee and as co-chair of the Duke Atlanta Women's Forum.

Judge Christopher C. Larkin is an Administrative Judge for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Ashley Heilprin is a Partner at Phelps Dunbar, LLP. Clients turn to Ashley Heilprin for her trial experience and her ability to think creatively and efficiently. As a trial lawyer with a wide range of experience in commercial and tort litigation, she helps clients resolve First Amendment, intellectual property, privacy, casualty and general business issues. She advises and advocates for clients in many industries.

A leader in the legal community, Ashley has built a reputation as a talented litigator, successfully trying cases to verdict and negotiating favorable settlements. She takes the time to truly understand how particular businesses and industries operate, so she can accomplish desirable results for clients that not only mitigate their risk, but also align with their business objectives and culture.

Ashley leverages her courtroom experience and ability to “begin with the end in mind” when representing media companies in defamation defense, privacy law, right of publicity and other First Amendment issues. She also handles intellectual property law matters, including copyright and trademark counseling, litigation, registration, and proceedings before the U.S. Copyright Office and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.