IP Leadership Development
Class of 2025 Directory
For use by program participants only
Gabe Applegate
Senior Associate - Morris, Manning & Martin
Email: gapplegate@mmmlaw.com, Phone: (513)240-1285
Gabe Applegate is a seasoned patent attorney specializing in patent preparation, prosecution, and litigation, with an exemplary focus on patents encompassing software, electrical, and mechanical technologies. With over a decade of hands-on design engineering experience spanning aviation controls, manufacturing, and consumer electronics, Gabe brings a wealth of technical insight to his legal practice and is well equipped to offer strategic counsel on various industry-specific challenges. This multifaceted background positions him as a trusted advisor capable of delivering innovative solutions tailored to the needs of diverse clientele.
Joel Bradley
Senior Associate - Eversheds Sutherland
Email: joelbradley@eversheds-sutherland.us, Phone: (770)686-2949
Joel is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and has experience working with the USPTO in the sophisticated realm of electrical and software systems. He has experience in a wide range of both hardware and software technologies, including at least AI/ML (underlying technologies and their application), Blockchain, semiconductors, telecommunications (including standards-based communication protocols), automotive (also including autonomous hardware and software technologies, such as LIDAR), consumer devices, audio/video encoding and general processing, HVAC systems, and power systems, among many others. Joel also counsels clients on potential patent validity concerns (Section 101 Alice issues).
Kana Caplan
Partner - Krevolin & Horst
Email: caplan@khlawfirm.com, Phone: 404-835-8054
Kana is a seasoned business litigator and trusted advisor to business owners and executives. Kana practices complex business litigation, with a focus on trade secrets, restrictive covenants, and business divorce. She also has extensive experience with issues of corporate governance, fiduciary obligations, intellectual property, and employment. Prior to joining Krevolin & Horst, Kana served as a law clerk to the Honorable Mark H. Cohen on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, where she managed hundreds of federal civil cases. Before her clerkship, she practiced at King & Spalding in New York.
Shawn Chang
Associate - Finnegan
Email: shawn.chang@finnegan.com, Phone: (404)353-4246
Shawn S. Chang is a patent attorney focusing on patent litigation before U.S. district courts and the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). He also advises clients on their U.S. and international patent portfolios, provides opinions of counsel, and performs patent portfolio analysis and evaluation to assist in clients’ IP business strategies. Shawn is a leader in the community and currently serves as the treasurer and on the board of the Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association (GAPABA).
Ashley Cornelison
Executive Director - Portal Innovations
Email: ashley.cornelison@portalinnovations.com, Phone: (770)633-4993
Ashley Cornelison is the Executive Director at Portal Innovations, a leading venture development engine specializing in nurturing life science concepts from ideation to market success. With over a dozen years of experience in the biotech sector, she collaborates with startups, funders, biopharma partners, and universities to strengthen Georgia’s life sciences ecosystem. Previously, she worked with the Georgia Research Alliance, supporting research universities in transforming intellectual property into startups. Ashley also serves on the boards of several local non-profit organizations including Georgia Bio, Global Center for Medical Innovations, and the Georgia Intellectual Property Alliance.
Chris Cornelison
Associate Vice President for Innovation and Commercialization - Kennesaw State University
Email: ccornel5@kennesaw.edu, Phone: (470)578-5115
Dr. Cornelison directs externally funded research in his laboratory at KSU and is engaged in mentoring graduate and undergraduate researchers on campus. In addition to his faculty position, he serves as the Assistant Vice President for Innovation and Commercialization and Director of the Office of Intellectual Property Development in the Office of Research, managing the technology transfer functionality of the university, coordinating programing to support faculty entrepreneurship, managing research related industry engagement, and operating the HatchBridge business incubator. Dr. Cornelison is also a founder of MycoLogic Inc., a spinout company from KSU that provides hardware and software for specialty mushroom cultivation.
Steph Davy-Jow
Patent Agent - Perilla Knox & Hildebrandt
Email: s.davy-jow@pkhip.com, Phone: (813)468-6555
Steph is a patent agent at Perilla Knox & Hildebrandt LLP and has been practicing since 2017. Her practice includes a wide array of technology areas including biotech, medical devices, and materials. She expects to obtain her JD from Georgia State College of Law in May 2026. For fun, she enjoys running too far with her friends.
Anne Fahrni
Founder - Nova IP Solutions
Email: fahrni@novaipsolutions.com, Phone: (415)902-6564
Anne has experience in patent preparation and prosecution and portfolio management in a wide range of technical areas, including chemical, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, material science, medical devices, information technology, and mechanical arts. Her work also includes patentability opinions and conducting freedom-to-operate and infringement analysis and other IP-related due diligence. Anne has been active with a number of professional organizations such as National Association of Patent Practitioners (NAPP), Georgia IP Alliance (GIPA), Women in Bio (WIB), and Chiefs in Intellectual Property (ChIPs).
Anthony Guebert
Associate - Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton
Email: aguebert@ktslaw.com, Phone: (404)520-9087
Anthony Guebert is a registered patent attorney who focuses his practice on patent prosecution and counseling, with an emphasis on mechanical and medical devices. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Guebert worked as a patent attorney in an Atlanta-based law firm where he practiced patent and trademark prosecution and litigation. Previously, Mr. Guebert worked as a patent agent and law clerk for a law firm in Greenville, South Carolina where he completed work on patents, copyrights, and trademarks. Mr. Guebert has experience in a broad range of technologies in biomedical, mechanical, electromechanical, electrical, and computer arts.
Jason Jenkins
Associate Legal Counsel - Kennesaw State University
Email: jason.jenkins@kennesaw.edu, Phone: (470)578-6028
Following eight years in private practice in Oklahoma and Iowa, Mr. Jenkins successfully transitioned to an in-house, on-campus role in 2009, and now advises higher education clients on sponsored research, technology transfer, patents, trademarks, copyrights, and contracting. Mr. Jenkins is licensed to practice law in Georgia and Oklahoma, and is a registered patent attorney. Mr. Jenkins earned a B.S. in Biotechnology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and a J.D. from the University of Tulsa College of Law.
Nikhil Marathe
Director of Intellectual Property - AT&T
Email: nm5391@att.com, Phone: (312)203-8984
Nikhil Marathe is responsible for developing and implementing patent business strategies to maximize the value of AT&T’s Intellectual Property assets. Nikhil is also an inventor & innovation champion with over 40 Patents and co-founded the AT&T Innovation Network, an award-winning training, and awareness platform to promote involvement of employees in the innovation process. Prior to this role, Nikhil has led transformation initiatives in diverse roles in Engineering, Operations, Sales, and Consulting giving him an insight into the complete product lifecycle. Nikhil is on the Board of the United States Intellectual Property Alliance (USIPA) and Global Intellectual Property Alliance (GLIPA).
Andy McNeil
Co-Director of the Law, Science, and Technology (“LST”) Program - Georgia Institute of Technology
Email: wmcneil6@gatech.edu, Phone: (404)643-2155
McNeil’s responsibilities include pre-law advising, coordinating student-centered events as well as the primary instructor for several LST courses. After graduating from Georgia Tech in 2001, McNeil attended Syracuse University College of Law. He graduated in 2005 and later joined the Atlanta home office of King & Spalding, focusing on intellectual property matters. His career also has included roles at Morris, Manning & Martin and co-founding a wholesale apparel company. McNeil serves as the primary legal advisor on a non-profit board focusing on children and veterans with physical disabilities. In 2007, he became co-coach of the Georgia Tech Mock Trial team, which routinely ranks among the nation’s most competitive programs.
Gage Ramos
Attorney - Delta Air Lines
Email: gage.ramos@delta.com, Phone: (803)259-6774
Gage Ramos supports Delta’s brand through management of its trademark portfolio and advises Delta’s Corporate Services business units on transactions with vendors and partners that support Delta’s operations and business objectives. Prior to joining Delta, Gage supported Georgia Tech’s technology commercialization and research enterprise, holding a number of roles during her 7-year tenure with the Institute. Gage holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Clemson University and a Juris Doctor from University of South Carolina. Gage enjoys spending time with her husband, Jorge, and their two dogs, George and Bean.
Yuan Si
Licensing Manager - University of Georgia
Email: yuan.si@uga.edu, Phone: (607)227-9305
Yuan Si is an experienced Licensing Manager with over six years in university tech transfer, specializing in intellectual property (IP) licensing and deal negotiations. At the University of Georgia, Yuan oversees a diverse portfolio of life science technologies, ranging from poultry vaccines to human therapeutics. Known for creative problem-solving and strong interpersonal skills, Yuan played a key role in leading the development of a comprehensive postdoctoral fellow training program and has mentored numerous interns. Yuan holds a Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences from Cornell University and a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Fudan University in China.
Tarianna Stewart
Manager, Technology Licensing - NYU Langone Health
Email: tarianna.stewart-hutto@nyulangone.org
Tarianna Stewart, PhD, an adept technology licensing and business development manager at NYU, leverages a background in technical expertise and legal acumen. Formerly excelling as a technical specialist in renowned IP law firms, she honed her skills in patent strategy. Dr. Stewart’s pivotal role at NYU encompasses working with faculty from the departments of engineering, physical sciences, quantum, and radiology, manifesting in skillful licensing strategy, negotiation, and agreement drafting. Notably, her tenure at Georgia Tech Research Corp., overseeing 500+ technologies, and subsequent role as core AI licensing executive and quantum ambassador at IBM Research underline her prowess in catalyzing innovation-commercialization convergence.
Matt Warenzak
Partner - Smith, Gambrell and Russell
Email: mwarenzak@sgrlaw.com, Phone: (770)833-1706
Matt is an experienced IP attorney, enforcing his client’s patents, copyright, and trademarks. He also procures patents and trademarks for his client, and offers counsel on other IP issues. Matt is the SGR’s Pro Bono Partner and current treasurer for the Charles Pannell IP Inn of Court. He is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Georgia School of Law, and was also a member of the UGA’s Innovation External Advisory (IDEA) Board. Matt is also an avid bike commuter, and loves getting to places quicker than you do in your car.
Dustin Weeks
Partner - Troutman Pepper
Email: dustin.weeks@troutman.com, Phone: (404)312-4189
Dustin’s work spans all areas of intellectual property law, including patent prosecution, patent litigation (including Hatch-Waxman litigation) and client counseling. He represents clients ranging from startups and solo inventors to Fortune 500 companies. Dustin works closely with his clients to learn their business objectives so that he can tailor strategies to procure, protect and enforce their intellectual property. Dustin specializes in post-grant proceedings (e.g., inter partes reviews) before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), where he has extensive experience representing both patent owners and petitioners across a wide range of technologies, including wireless networking, pharmaceuticals, MEMS devices, medical devices and electro-mechanical consumer devices.