Michael S. Greco

President, American Bar Association
ABA President Michael S. Greco will address the entire group at the opening Plenary Session on Thursday morning, June 22, to give an overview of the American Bar Association and its activities and goals.

Hon. William G. Young

U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Our Keynote Speaker for the opening Plenary Session on Thursday morning, June 22, will be U.S. District Judge William G. Young, of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Judge Young is known for his thought-provoking opinions in patent cases and will enlighten attendees on perspectives on intellectual property litigation, effective advocacy in IP cases and the impact of some of the Federal Circuit's recent decisions on practice in the District Court.

Alberto Gonzales

U.S. Attorney General
On Thursday, June 22, the guest luncheon speaker will be U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Mr. Gonzales will address the group about the efforts of the Department of Justice to strengthen protection of intellectual property through stepped-up federal criminal and civil enforcement. Two years ago, the Attorney General established an Intellectual Property Task Force to spearhead these efforts. Attorney General Gonzales will report on the success of the Department in implementing earlier recommendations of this Task Force, and will describe a new round of recommendations in a soon-to-be-released second report.

John Doll

Commissioner of Patents, U.S. Patents and Trademark Office
On Friday, June 23, the guest luncheon speaker will be John Doll, Commissioner for Patents and Deputy Commissioner for Patent Resources and Planning with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Mr. Doll will address the group on policy plans and initiatives of the USPTO on which his office is focusing. Mr. Doll was appointed as Commissioner for Patents in August of 2005. Prior to this, he served as Deputy Commissioner for Patent Resources and Planning where he oversaw the patent information-technology and processing operations.

Boston is steeped in tradition and proud of its Colonial roots, where brick townhouses and gaslights co-exist in harmony with modern glass skyscrapers. Voices of patriots such as Paul Revere, Samuel Adams and John Hancock reverberate with a revolutionary spirit as you chart your course. Boston is one of the most historical, academic, cultural and sports-minded capitals in North America.

Boston is more than just old buildings. At every turn, the new, the national and the international co-exist in this very cosmopolitan city.

Public Institutions and World Class Museums – Boston is a cultural mecca with such institutions as the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts; the Boston Symphony and the Boston Pops; the Museum of Science; the New England Aquarium; the Kennedy Library and the historic Boston Public Library.

Neighborhoods –Beacon Hill, the bastion of the city’s blue blood aristocratic residents; Chinatown, home to the third largest Chinese community in the country; the North End, a traditional stronghold of Italian Culture, also home to Paul Revere’s house and the Old North Church; downtown and the waterfront, bustling hubs of retail and commercial activity; Back Bay, one of the city’s showpieces of chic ambiance and high fashion shopping

Fenway Park – With its famed Green Monster it is one of the last of the great old ballparks.

Historic Attractions –The city of Boston plays host to countless historical attractions, many pivotal in the founding and development of the United States and its government.

The Big Dig – The Big Dig is finally finished. The project is five years late and billions of dollars over budget but I-93 has finally been rerouted to run under the city of Boston. The Zakim Bridge has also been completed since our last visit to Boston. The Zakim Bridge is the widest cable stayed bridge in the world and is considered the “jewel of the ‘Big Dig’.”

Outside the City – The areas surrounding Boston are as rich with culture as the city itself. Just across the Charles River lies Cambridge, home to both Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Slightly further out, is the birthplace of the American Revolution at Lexington and Concord. Also, the home of the infamous Salem Witch Trials is in nearby Salem and if you head South you will find Plymouth and its famous rock, the legendary site of the Pilgrim landing in 1620. A longer day trip can take you to picturesque Cape Cod, the beautiful islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, the Gatsby-era mansions of Newport, Rhode Island, the charming seaside of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, or further into Vermont and Maine.

This year’s Summer IPL Conference is at The Copley Place Hotel in Boston. Ideally situated in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay, the Copley Place Hotel offers an array of elegantly appointed rooms.

A special group rate of $211 single, $231 double, $251 triple, or $271 quadruple occupancy has been obtained at Copley Place Hotel for those attending the Summer IPL Conference. For hotel reservations, call The Copley Place Hotel directly at 800/266-9432. Ask for the ABA Section of Intellectual Property Law 2006 Summer IPL Conference to receive the special rate. The room block fills up fast, so make your reservations well in advance of the May 29, 2006 cutoff date. Make your hotel reservations online.