SPEAKERS

Fall '22 Speakers

Engagement #1: Lauryn Robinson

Lauryn is an associate in the Austin office. Her practice focuses on renewable energy transactions such as the acquisition and sale of renewable energy projects, joint ventures, project development and matters concerning engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) agreements. Her practice also involves representing lenders, including bilateral and multilateral develop finance agencies, and borrowers in structuring, negotiating, documents and implementing domestic and international project financings. Lauryn also has experience in assisting clients with necessary due diligence associated with healthcare regulatory transactions.

Engagement #2: Janice Ta

Janice L. Ta is an intellectual property lawyer who helps companies enforce, license, and litigate rights related to patents, trade secrets, trademarks, and copyrights. She works with clients globally from startups to universities to Fortune 500 companies. Her cases have involved a broad range of technologies, including computer hardware and software, semiconductors, light-emitting diodes (LEDS), audio and video streaming, search algorithms, and cool roofing granules.
Janice’s litigation practice includes actions in U.S. district courts, the International Trade Commission (ITC), state courts, and arbitration tribunals. Janice served as a judicial clerk to the Honorable Timothy B. Dyk of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. As a first generation college student and lawyer, Janice graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Stanford University with a degrees in Symbolic Systems (B.S.) and Art History (B.A.). She earned her law degree from Yale Law School. Prior to law school, Janice was a user interface designer and product manager at a social networking company, shepherding the development of a variety of products and services from conception to launch. Her work as an attorney is informed by her knowledge of the product development cycle and her understanding of the business needs of growing technology companies.

Janice contributes time to her community in a variety of ways, most recently serving as an executive committee member of the Yale Law School Association, as a board member of Ballet Austin, and as chair of Perkins Coie’s Lawyers With Disabilities Resource Group. She has been recognized by Super Lawyers (2022) and as a Texas Rising Star in IP litigation by Super Lawyers (2018 and 2019).

In 2022, Janice was nominated as a finalist for the Top Women in IP “Ginger Rogers Award” by Texas Lawyer. Janice has also been recognized by Super Lawyers (2022) and as a Texas "Rising Star" in IP litigation by Super Lawyers (2018 and 2019). Janice contributes time to her community in a variety of ways, most recently serving as an executive committee member of the Yale Law School Association, as a board member of Ballet Austin, and as chair of Perkins Coie’s Lawyers With Disabilities Resource Group.

Engagement #3: Leah Wise

Leah Wise was born and raised in Primera, Texas and is the daughter of David and Cristela Wise. Growing up in a small Latino community, Leah learned the value of hard work and the importance of family. Leah graduated from Harlingen High School in 2008. Upon graduation from high school, Leah attended The University of Texas at Austin where she graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Political Communication and a concentration in women and gender studies.

Leah obtained her Doctor of Jurisprudence from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 2016. During her time in law school, Leah clerked at the Texas Thirteenth Court of Appeals and at various law firms specializing in civil litigation. Leah was the President of the Women’s Law Association and during her tenure raised over $20,000 for local charities aimed at serving indigent women and children in the San Antonio area. Also while in law school, Leah competed across the nation as a member of the national award-winning Moot Court team. Leah and her team were crowned National Champions at the American Bar Association National Moot Court Competition, commonly known as the most prestigious Moot Court competition in the United States. Leah was awarded “Outstanding Mooter” of the St. Mary’s Moot Court Team and was inducted into the National Order of Barristers for her excellence in courtroom advocacy.

Leah began to practice personal injury law in 2016 after graduating from law school. Shortly after beginning her practice, Leah was voted “Best Attorney” by the Valley Morning Star Reader’s Choice Awards in 2017 and 2018. She enjoys being actively involved in her community and spending time with her family.

Engagement #4: Averie Bishop

Averie Bishop is currently touring around the state as Miss Texas 2022.

Formerly the research assistant for the General Counsel of Southern Methodist University, Averie has utilized her experience in her University's legal affairs office to address higher education policy in third world countries. She was recently a Ronald Regan Presidential Foundation Fellow, U.S. Congressional Policy Fellow in Washington D.C., a University Interscholastic Scholarship recipient, and The Texas Women's Museum Woman of the Year awardee.

She is the co-founder and current director of The Tulong Foundation, a non profit organization that aids children in third world countries afford education. Averie and her mother aim to eradicate the gender gap in education by offering scholarships to girls who have a passion to learn but not the necessary funds to pursue their academic aspirations. Additionally, their foundation has expanded to provide comprehensive sexual education and water wells in provincial Philippines. Her nonprofit has been internationally recognized by the Clinton Foundation and can be seen in a permanent exhibition at the brand new Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights museum.

Averie graduated from Southern Methodist University with honors distinction in Human Rights and Sociology and later with her Juris Doctorate from Dedman School of Law. For her first year on the Miss America circuit, she placed first runner up at Miss Texas and received $18,000 in scholarships.Today, she represents the state as the first Asian American woman to be titled as Miss Texas.

Engagement #5: Roswill Mejia

Roswill represents hospital systems, medical device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and other health care providers and their affiliates in all stages of complex litigation, dispute resolution, risk management, and external investigations stemming from regulatory and compliance issues. She uses her keen ability to synthesize complicated problems and legal principles to drive proactive defense strategies and targeted solutions. Her no-surprises communication style, significant litigation experience, and commitment to providing practical guidance make her a valuable asset for her clients both inside and outside of the courtroom.

Roswill specializes in defending against fraud and abuse, anti-kickback, and false claims act litigation. She also helps life sciences and health care businesses navigate operational and regulatory compliance issues by guiding internal assessments, complex data analyses, risk mitigation efforts, and the development of policies and procedures.Roswill also has significant experience defending medical negligence/malpractice lawsuits at the trial and appellate level as outside counsel for hospital systems and physician groups. In addition, her background includes serving as general counsel for numerous residential and commercial property owners associations (HOA, condominium and luxury resort-style communities) and other Texas-based corporations, where she handled commercial litigation, advised boards of directors on fiduciary responsibilities, and drafted dedicatory instruments.

Engagement #6: Christa Brown-Sanford

Christa Brown-Sanford is the Co-Chair of the Intellectual PropertyDepartment at Baker Botts and serves on the firm's Executive Committee and Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Christa has a full-time patent practice, with the ability to advise on a number of different issues -- working together with her clients to be a true counselor. With an electrical engineering background and keen business sense, her ability to communicate with anyone, from clients, opposing counsel, inventors, or patent examiners alike, in a clear and digestible way, underscores her commitment to being a true partner at every stage of the process. Christa's clients appreciate that “[s]he is thoughtful and thorough . . . [and] can think through issues and solve [them].” (Chambers USA, 2020)

She provides guidance on patent procurement, patent portfolio development, patent litigation, and patent licensing – particularly involving telecommunications, blockchain, electronics, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, software, personal mobility, and other cutting-edge technologies.

Christa also assists companies in developing and managing their patent portfolios and generating revenue from their intellectual property assets through licensing campaigns. While leading licensing efforts for companies, she continues to provide counsel and advice on patent procurement and litigation exposure.