Month: May 2025

In February and March 2025, AABANY had the honor of participating in two events with a delegation of IP officials from Singapore.

Meeting with the Singapore IP Delegation (February 26, 2025):
On February 26, 2025, AABANY’s Intellectual Property Committee hosted a meeting with a distinguished IP delegation from Singapore at Wilson Sonsini in New York. This exclusive event brought together key leaders in the IP community from both the United States and Singapore, fostering discussions about collaboration and innovation in global IP practices.

The delegation from Singapore included some of the foremost leaders in the fields of IP law, arbitration, and mediation, who shared invaluable insights into Singaporean law and practices in these areas. Attendees had the unique opportunity to engage with:

• Dr. Stanley Lai, Senior Counsel, Chairperson of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS)
• Chuan Wee Meng, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC)
• Adriana Uson, Director & Head (Americas), Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC)
• Sandy Widjaja, Senior Legal Counsel, IPOS

These experts provided an in-depth view of Singapore’s robust legal infrastructure and its innovative approaches to resolving IP disputes through mediation and arbitration. The conversations focused on opportunities for cross-border collaboration, especially in areas where U.S. and Singaporean practices align in the IP field.

Jeffrey Mok (AABANY’s VP of Programs & Operations, and Co-Chair of the IP Committee) delivered a presentation on AABANY’s mission, history, and role as a nationally recognized leader among diverse bar associations.  Ben Hsing, AABANY’s President-Elect and Ada Wang, Co-Chair of the IP Committee, also guided discussions and ensured meaningful dialogue between the two communities.

Roundtable Discussion: Trends in the Resolution of IP and Technology Disputes (March 4, 2025):
On March 4, 2025, AABANY was honored to be invited to, and participate in, a Roundtable Discussion on the Resolution of IP and Technology Disputes, organized by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP at their office in Manhattan West. The event provided a platform for legal professionals from across the globe to discuss key trends and challenges in IP dispute resolution, especially within the context of technology and innovation.

The roundtable was moderated by Dr. Stanley Lai, Senior Counsel and Chairman of IPOS, and featured thought-provoking discussions on critical issues such as:

• Litigation vs. Arbitration: The advantages and challenges of resolving IP disputes through litigation versus arbitration.
• Mediation: The increasing role of mediation as a method of resolving disputes without resorting to litigation or arbitration.
• Arbitration Considerations: Topics like the seat of arbitration, governing law, selection of arbitral institutions, and arbitrator choice.
• Practical Challenges: Issues related to discovery, expert witnesses, and other pain points commonly faced during IP and technology disputes.

Greg Pan and Ada Wang, Co-Chairs of AABANY’s Intellectual Property Committee contributed to the roundtable discussion alongside other prominent figures from the IP and dispute resolution sectors. Among the attendees were:

• David Kappos, Partner at Cravath
• Chuan Wee Meng, CEO, Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC)
• Adriana Uson, Director & Head (Americas), Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC)
• Sharon Goswami, Partner at Cravath
• Keith Hummel, Partner at Cravath
• Mia Levi, Vice President, CPR Dispute Resolution
• Sandy Widjaja, Senior Legal Counsel, IPOS

The IP Committee looks forward to continuing to foster discussions about intellectual property at a global level. 

To learn more about the IP Committee and how you can get more involved, go here.