CITMA Paralegal Conference: why join us again in 2024?
Our award-nominated 2023 CITMA Paralegal Conference was our biggest-ever event for Paralegal members – hear from attendees on what they enjoyed, and why they’re back in 2024.
The sold-out event united all corners of our Paralegal community, offering networking and learning in a dedicated environment.
Book nowMark Dainty, Edwin Coe
The 2023 CITMA Paralegal Conference was a great experience for so many reasons. Firstly, there was a variety of insightful and thought-provoking talks, from experienced and engaging speakers.
The talks covered wide ranging but relevant subjects, which really helps build a broader understanding of the way paralegals fit into the wider world of trade marks.
The mix of updates on current practices (case law and UKIPO updates), as well as where the industry is heading (blockchain and NFTs) is very exciting to see.
The diversity of speakers was really inspiring. We were lucky enough to hear from a mix of trade mark attorneys (from the UK, USA and Argentina), fellow Paralegals, the UKIPO and other collaborators such as Jonathan’s Voice and WebTMS.
Secondly, it is a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones. I really enjoyed being able to meet up with people who took the Paralegal Course with me so many years ago and catch up with them and their careers.
It is also great to meet and connect with new colleagues and friends, many of whom I am hoping to see again this September.
Looking at the program for this year, I am looking forward to much of the same. The mix of speakers and subjects seems as varied and exciting as it was in 2023. I am also looking forward to having a beer and catching up with friends, old and new, at the end of the day!
Patrick Henderson-Tucker, Panoramix Limited
After 25 years of being involved in IP Administration, the stars finally aligned and I found myself at the 2023 CITMA Paralegal Conference last year.
I had a good idea of what to expect after reading the CITMA Journal reports over the last few years. I knew what I wanted to get out of attending the conference too.
I am pleased to say that both my expectations were surpassed on the day. The Institute had really taken the time to bring in engaging speakers who discussed their subject areas with enthusiasm and deep knowledge.
Even a trip down the ‘rabbit hole’ that is the USPTO Statement of Use, seemed to make sense, given we had such a great speaker in Maynard Nexen’s Eric Mills.
As a remote worker in a small firm, it was great to be able to be face to face with so many attendees, in one place and to catch up with so many familiar faces from the past.
If you can take a day out of your schedule to attend. I would highly recommend that you do.
Steph Bartley, Boult Wade Tennant:
I enjoy attending the CITMA paralegal conference as it’s nice to be in a room full of people that do the same/similar job to me, whilst gaining knowledge & learning new skills from excellent speakers in different fields of the trade mark industry.
At last year’s conference I found the talk on US trade mark law & overcoming objections very helpful.
The update on the UKIPO transformation project was also very interesting & something I was able to pass on to colleagues back at work!
The day is a great time to catch up with old colleagues & make some new connections too.
I’d encourage anyone who hasn’t been before to sign up and enjoy a day developing their paralegal skills with a great bunch of people!
Paul Farrell, WP Thompson Intellectual Property
Being based in Liverpool, I always look forward to receiving the email from CITMA confirming the date for the paralegal conference as it is the perfect opportunity to meet up with fellow paralegal members from around the country and also to catch up in person with my fellow committee members rather than online through a Teams meeting.
Last year was the first time that the conference was an all-day event and it was great to see so many people in attendance. The day was filled with various speakers covering a lot of interesting topics from Blockchain and NFTs to proving use in the US. It was also good to hear from CITMA’s CEO, Keven Bader and our CITMA paralegal representative on council Kane Ridley, who updated us with the latest key news and developments within the industry.
This year’s conference promises to be a very interesting day with plenty of speakers covering a lot of various topics. I am particularly looking forward to meeting our new CITMA president Kelly Saliger and learning more about the One IPO Transformation project as it moves closer to going live at the UK IPO.
As usual all the CITMA staff will be on hand to assist with any queries and hand out information about CITMA along with free goodies!
If you do see me during the networking drinks after close of the conference, please come and say hello. I look forward to seeing you there!
Jane Curtis, Burges Salmon
"I really enjoyed the 2023 paralegal conference, in particular Azhar Sadique’s interactive presentation on blockchain and NFTs and the future of paralegal practice in a fast growing physical/digital world. Azhar spoke about how, as paralegals, we can help pave the way for the next version of legal services in IP and I am really keen to see and contribute to Burges Salmon’s strategy for engaging with this evolving frontier.
Victoria Rodriguez’s case law update and presentation on trade mark cases which impact everyday IP practice was another highlight, flagging the importance of keeping abreast of shifts in trade mark practice and ensuring that we as paralegals stay up to date with case law.
At this year’s 2024 paralegal conference I am particularly looking forward to hearing the UK IPO’s latest developments within the One IPO Transformation project, news and developments updates from CITMA’s paralegal council representative Kane Ridley and meeting the new CITMA president, Kelly Saliger.
I really enjoy CITMA’s paralegal specific events, they help raise the profile of paralegals in the profession and acknowledge the role as an important asset which in turn supports professional development. The paralegal conference is also a wonderful opportunity to re-connect and network with other members of the paralegal profession."
This year’s CITMA Paralegal Conference is now open for bookings – with tickets going fast, book now to secure your place or places for your team members.