About CIPLA:

In 1918, members of the patent profession from Cleveland, Akron and Canton formed the Cleveland Patent Law Association. The name was changed to the Cleveland Intellectual Property Law Association (CIPLA) in 1990.

CIPLA is open to past and present members of the Bar with a practice in Intellectual Property Law, patent agents, and law students interested in Intellectual Property Law. CIPLA currently has approximately 350 Active Members, 30 Life Members, 5 Associate Members, 12 Honorary Members, and 25 Student Members.

CIPLA is an active group, bringing together the private practitioner and the corporate lawyer at meetings that typically include dinner and a speaker on topics of interest to the profession. Breakout sessions preceding dinner provide the opportunity to earn Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits.

Meetings are held throughout the year at various locations in Cleveland and Akron. In the spring, an annual dinner dance is held where the new officers of the Association are elected. Annual membership dues are currently $40 for most members, $35 for members admitted to the bar fewer than five years, and $10 for law students. The dinner meetings cost $30 ($15 for student members). There is no charge for the CLE breakout sessions.

In addition, CIPLA cosponsors an annual Intellectual Property Law Seminar, the All-Ohio Annual Institute on Intellectual Property. The All-Ohio program has been held annually since 1991and attracts top IP scholars who speak on a variety of topics.

Founding Members:

Past Presidents: