Name: Alex Giza
Firm, Title: Hueston Hennigan LLP, Partner/Co-founder
Committee: Judges’ Night Gala Committee
Bio: Alex Giza is a founding partner at Hueston Hennigan LLP. His practice focuses on litigation and trials, especially involving high technology, patents, trade secret, trademark, and other intellectual property issues, as well as patent advice/due diligence/licensing, and appellate matters. Alex earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Virginia and worked as an electrical engineer for Westinghouse, IAI America, and Eaton, involving electronics, test software, and robotics. Alex graduated from the UCLA School of Law, where he was a Teaching Fellow. He served as an extern for the Honorable Arthur L. Alarcón, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and for the Honorable William J. Rea, U.S. District Court, Central District of California. Following his graduation, Alex served as law clerk to Justice Walter L. Carpeneti of the Alaska Supreme Court. He is a Director of LAIPLA.
What is important about your Committee?
Judges’ Night Gala is a delightful opportunity to celebrate our judges – both local and national – with IP interests. Prior editions of JNG have built up its reputation such that we are able to attract top level speakers and provide a great opportunity for participants to hear top jurists and academics discuss key IP issues, to celebrate and meet local judges, and to catch up with colleagues, both in-house and “out-house.” In addition, JNG includes the presentation the LAIPLA’s 2018 Distinguished Public Service Award-this year recognizing two wonderfully deserving recipients.
Why did you want to chair your Committee?
LAIPLA’s Judges’ Night Gala is the premier evening IP event in Los Angeles. I have enjoyed attending in previous years and wanted to contribute to its continued success this year. In addition, I knew that other Committee members, Ted Chandler and Jonathan Smith, had planned the excellent 2017 JNG, so I’d be part of a strong team.
What are your goals for your Committee?
The Committee’s main goal is putting on an event that IP practitioners want to attend! As in years past, we focused on attracting nationally recognized panelists as well as local judges. This year we were especially fortunate to have three IP heavyweights: Judge Raymond T. Chen of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, Judge James V. Selna of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, and Professor Mark Lemley of Stanford Law School. In addition, Judge Francie Gorowitz and Judge Lorelei Ritchie of the United States Trademark Trial and Appeal Board are being recognized for their dedication to public service.
What makes LAIPLA different than other legal organizations?
LAIPLA does a tremendous job in connecting the IP community in Southern California and promoting diversity through its events and programs. LAIPLA regularly partners with other SoCal groups and entities, like the Daily Journal, Los Angeles County Bar Association, USC IP Institute, Orange County Intellectual Property Law Association, and Paul R. Michel Inn of Court, as co-sponsors of its events. In addition, I’m very proud of the LAIPLA for its commitment to diversity with its Diversity Fellowship, now in its fourth year, which provides a $6,000 stipend for a law student with a diverse background to work for 10 weeks with an in-house legal department. It’s a great program that provides opportunities for gaining practical experience, launching a career, and building a professional network to which the fellows may not have otherwise had access.
Favorite Movie or Song:
Inconceivably, “The Princess Bride”