Mock Programs

Fall 2023

REGISTER YOUR TEAM | VOLUNTEER

ChIPs Mock Program enlists the best and brightest associates and junior partners across the world for an annual event that allows them to show their skill and gain confidence in pitching to clients. This year’s theme will focus on the ever-growing legal issues surrounding artificial intelligence. It also presents an opportunity for ChIPsters to volunteer. You may volunteer as a Mock Pitch client if you are (or have been) in a situation where you have had to evaluate a pitch. Register to volunteer here.

EVENT DATE AND TIME

Wednesday, October 4, 2023
10:30am – 12:30pm PT

Following the event participants can engage with event participants during our virtual networking hour, from 1:00 – 2:00pm PT

Are you ready to perfect your pitch? Sign up to reserve your team’s spot today!

Questions? Contact Bridget Johnson.

The Team

BUILD YOUR TEAM

One (1) Mock Team consists of four (4) associates or junior partners, and one (1) mentor who will participate virtually in the Mock Program on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.
Teams do not have to be selected prior to registration.

REGISTRATION

Organizations must register by August 31, 2023, 11:59 pm PT.
Registration information for team members and their mentor will be sent after your spot has been secured.

FEES

The participation fee is $7000 per team.

Sign up to reserve your team’s spot today!

The Pitch

This year’s mock scenario will focus on two companies looking to hire outside counsel who can guid them through the evolving issues surrounding artificial intelligence (AI).

Each company understands that not every firm will have expertise across all of the issues facing the company, so firms are encouraged to focus on the areas where they could be the most helpful. In general, each company needs help prioritizing the various legal issues and wants to make sure that even if it hires a particular law firm to handle just one or two of the issues it is facing, that firm will be able to advise the company with the bigger picture and business goals in mind. And of course, each company is looking for innovative, cost-effective approaches to counseling and potential alternative fee arrangements.

Each pitch will be held with a mix of internal legal and business decision-makers from the relevant company, including the General Counsel and CEO. The in-house counsel have significant legal experience, but the CEO does not. They are all from diverse backgrounds and are keenly interested in finding a firm that has a great track record on DEI.

Background

In 2014, ChIPs developed the Mock Pitch program to create an opportunity for associates and junior partners to gain real-life experience pitching to clients, a necessary skill to elevate their careers and increase pay equity. Mock Pitch is now one of the signature events led by the ChIPs community.

The 2022 program was held virtually on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. Designed to improve participants’ skills and receive feedback from leading experts in IP and law, the program featured 14 law firm teams and 60 client volunteers including leading in-house counsel who played the role of mock clients in the scenario.

Senior level in-house counsel with experience evaluating business pitches from outside counsel, including leaders from Sony Interactive Entertainment, Novartis, Apple, Medtronic, NetApp, VMWare, Microsoft, NetApp, Oracle, Salesforce, Dolby, T-Mobile, IBM, Meta, MasterClass, and more – come together for this opportunity to elevate the next generation of women leaders and cultivate an ecosystem that advances women in tech, law and policy.