Plugged-In Portland explores regional trends and issues from a legal perspective

Plugged-In Portland – a daylong event geared toward connecting legal and business professionals to the trends, issues and industry in the Portland region – will take place Friday, June 20, at the White Stag Block.  The event is part of the University of Oregon’s School of Law Portland Program.

With 30 speakers, three Portland industry cluster discussions, four practical skills labs and four practice-oriented Continuing Legal Education (CLE) activities, the event aims to provide skills and information to Portland-area attorneys, current law students and prospective law applicants by giving perspective about the region’s key industries.

The day kicks off with an introduction by Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum. Chris Harder, with Portland Development Commission, is the keynote, with a presentation on how growth trends and development plans for the Portland region will impact the area’s economy and landscape.

The industry cluster forums will focus on athletic and outdoor products, food and software.

The afternoon programs break into the topic tracks, allowing participants to focus on job search and practical skills or work toward CLE.  A software lab will let attendees test-drive more than 30 software products and technical services used in legal, business, technology and creative electronic industries.

The sessions include:

·         “Regulating the Sharing Economy,” focused on intellectual property, employment and regulatory issues raised by “sharing” businesses such as Airbnb, Uber and Alta Bicycle Share.

·         “IP Asset Assessment,” which looks at vetting and investing in intellectual property assets and services, such as patents, trademarks and copyrights.

·         “Advanced Drafting,” with drafting veterans sharing tips and resources on drafting contracts, memoranda and articles.

The cost is $25 for students enrolled in a full-time bachelor’s, master's, or law school program, along with high school students. All other attendees pay $35.

For a complete schedule and to register, visit http://law.uoregon.edu/plugged-in-portland-schedule.

— By Heidi Hiaasen, Public Affairs Communications