Board of Directors
Leadership dedicated to serving San Diego’s IP community
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Adam Powell
President
Partner, Knobbe Martens LLP
Clients turn to Adam Powell to handle their most technically complex issues in the medical device, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology industries. He is the co-chair of Knobbe Martens’ Antitrust group and was recently recognized by the Daily Journal as one of only 25 lawyers in its “Top Trade Secrets Lawyers” publication.
In one of his most successful cases, Adam represented Masimo Corporation in a three-week patent trial against Philips. The jury awarded $466 million to Masimo and rejected Philips’ infringement claims seeking $169 million. That verdict was featured in The National Law Journal as the Number one IP and Number five overall verdict of the year. Post trial, Adam was responsible for defending against Philips’ antitrust counterclaims alleging patent misuse, monopolization, and tying. The litigation eventually settled with Philips paying Masimo $300 million and agreeing to a multi-year joint marketing and sales program in which Philips would integrate Masimo technologies in its patient monitors.

Sean Lynch
Vice President
Partner, Lynch LLP
Sean Lynch is a seasoned intellectual property attorney and co-founder of Lynch LLP. With extensive experience in patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secret law, Sean provides strategic counsel to businesses ranging from funded startups to established enterprises. Sean’s practice spans the full spectrum of IP services—including portfolio development, enforcement, and litigation—helping clients protect innovation and maintain a competitive edge.
Known for a pragmatic, business-focused approach, Sean has successfully built complex, international intellectual property portfolios for companies big and small.

Stephanie M. Mishaga
Secretary
Associate, Jones Day
Stephanie Mishaga is an IP lawyer who handles patent litigation and prosecution. She practices before U.S. district courts, the International Trade Commission (ITC), and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).
Her technical experience encompasses software and hardware including artificial intelligence (AI), wireless communication systems including 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) devices, radio frequency identification (RFID) and distributed antenna systems (DAS), next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis tools, semiconductor devices, medical devices and patient monitoring systems, fitness equipment, on-board diagnostic (OBD) devices, lithium-ion batteries, electronic nicotine delivery systems, utility power systems, and renewable energy technologies including solar panels and electrical vehicles.

Rob C. Arbulu
Treasurer
Associate, Glaser Weil
Rob C. Arbulu is an Intellectual Property Associate in Glaser Weil’s San Diego office, where he represents clients in patent, trademark, and copyright matters, as well as complex commercial disputes. He counsels companies ranging from emerging startups to large national and global corporations, with deep experience in patent litigation, strategic IP portfolio development, IP licensing, freedom to operate analyses, noninfringement opinions, and the assessment of third party rights. His practice spans a broad range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, research tools, medical devices, sporting goods, cosmetics, and fashion and apparel.
His experience includes preparing and prosecuting patent applications, managing discovery, developing expert strategies, drafting dispositive motions and pleadings, and supporting all phases of pre trial and trial preparation.
Drawing on his prior experience as Senior Director and Legal Counsel at an international life sciences company—where he led global IP strategy, he oversaw portfolio development with R&D teams, advised executive leadership on business and regulatory matters, and negotiated complex licensing and commercial agreements—Rob brings a practical, business driven perspective to his legal work. He also advises clients on domestic and international IP enforcement and on IP due diligence in mergers and acquisitions.

Ruthleen Uy
Immediate Past President
Counsel, Kilpatrick Townsend and Stockton LLP
Ruthleen Uy is a registered patent attorney who focuses her practice on the preparation and prosecution of patent applications in the computer, electrical, and mechanical arts including applications directed to computer architecture, computer hardware, financial technology, mobile communications, and telecommunications.
Additionally, Ruthleen has experience prosecuting applications directed to memory management including the restoration and recovery of memory data, date compression, data encryption/decryption, databases, and data storage. She also has experience in medical devices including medical image processing and radiation controls.
