In this episode of IP Innovators, host Steve Brachmann sits down with Stephanie Curcio, CEO and co-founder of NL Patent, to explore how AI has evolved from concept-based prior art search to touching every stage of the patent lifecycle. Stephanie reflects on her journey from patent prosecution to legal tech founder and what she’s learned from being an early mover in AI for IP.

She also digs into the real ROI of AI tools, why efficiency isn’t the only metric that matters, and how firms should think about ethics, security, and the quiet comeback of the build vs. buy debate. From sneaky “AI features” in legacy tools to modular tech stacks and in-house workflows, Stephanie shares a candid view of where AI in patent practice is today—and where it’s headed next.

👩‍💼 About the Guest:
Stephanie Curcio is the CEO and co-founder of NL Patent, an AI-native platform for searching and analyzing patent data. A former patent attorney, she has held leadership roles within the American Intellectual Property Law Association’s Emerging Technologies Committee and serves on the advisory board of IP Watchdog.

🔧 Sponsored by DeepIP — your patent intelligence platform, from idea to enforcement.

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In this episode of IP Innovators, host Steve Brachmann sits down with Phil Harris, Equity Partner and Patent Practice Group Leader at Holland & Hart, to trace his journey from mechanical engineering to leading one of the most tech-forward IP teams in the Mountain West.

Phil shares how his firm built custom automation and AI tools to streamline prosecution—from managing IDS filings to analyzing office actions—and how in-house innovation has transformed the way patent professionals work.

👨‍💼 About the Guest:
Phil Harris leads Holland & Hart’s Patent Practice Group, focusing on cutting-edge technologies like AI, wireless communications, and medical devices. With over a decade at the firm, he’s helped shape how automation and AI are integrated into patent law practice.

🔧 Sponsored by DeepIP — your patent intelligence platform, from idea to enforcement.

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In this episode of IP Innovators, host Steve Brachmann sits down with Mark Kesslen, Partner and Chair of the IP Group at Lowenstein Sandler, to trace his path from electrical engineering to chief patent counsel on Wall Street—and how that fintech vantage point shapes his practice today. We dig into LabMorgan’s early online payments bets, the ripple effects of State Street → Alice → Recentive, and where AI is already moving the needle in prosecution (IDS automation, office-action drafting, claim-charting) — plus the security and workflow realities firms must get right. 🚀

About the Guest:

Mark Kesslen advises venture-backed startups and iconic tech brands on patents, trademarks, and IP strategy, with deep expertise in fintech and proptech. Former Chief Patent Counsel at JPMorgan Chase.

🔧 Sponsored by DeepIP — your trusted AI patent assistant: https://www.deepip.ai/

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