High-Stakes IP in Bankruptcy: Identifying, Valuing, and Protecting Assets Before They’re Lost

Christine H. McCarthy
Noor Al-Banna
Daniel Principe
Christine H. McCarthy | Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Noor Al-Banna | Ocean Tomo, a part of J.S Held
Daniel Principe | Ocean Tomo, a part of J.S Held
On-Demand: September 10, 2025

2 hour CLE

Tuition: $195.00
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Program Summary

This program examines the increasingly complex intersection of intellectual property and bankruptcy law, offering legal professionals a structured approach to understanding how IP assets are treated, protected, and optimized before, during, and after insolvency proceedings.

Participants will explore how intellectual property is defined under the Bankruptcy Code and evaluate both traditional categories and newer, non-traditional forms such as NIL rights, AI-generated content, and blockchain-based assets. The course highlights essential strategies for identifying and valuing IP within a distressed company’s portfolio, navigating the nuances of their license agreements, and managing value in IP transactions through various avenues includes Section 363 sales.

Key statutory protections under Section 365(n) will be discussed, along with common licensing scenarios involving debtors. The program also addresses the mechanics of assumption and assignment provides practical tools for maximizing IP value in distressed environments.

Key topics to be discussed:

  • The role of IP in bankruptcy
  • Definition of intellectual property under the bankruptcy code
  • Traditional and emerging forms of IP
  • Identifying and valuing IP assets prior to and during bankruptcy
  • Critical Issues in IP license agreements
  • Sales of IP assets (including various mechanisms including under Section 363)
  • License rights and protections under Section 365(n)
  • Common intra-and-intercompany licensing arrangements
  • Assumption and assignment of IP agreements
  • Influential case law shaping IP and bankruptcy
  • Strategic tools for asset optimization and monetization

Closed-captioning available

Speakers

Christine H. McCarthy | Barnes & Thornburg LLP

As former leader of Barnes & Thornburg’s Patent Practice Group, Christine McCarthy has extensive experience managing diverse client expectations for patent portfolio management and growth. She has worked extensively in private, government and legal-services sectors. Her globally based and invested clients benefit from her counsel on virtually all aspects of intellectual property in particular, global strategic portfolio procurement and management, standards essential patents and patent licensing.

Christine believes that trust is key in the client relationships she establishes and cultivates. Because of that, clients rely on her honesty and tenacity to do her job – protecting their ideas, innovations and creative works – so they can do their jobs building their companies, brands and marketplaces. Her clients value both her candor and collaborative nature in helping determine the most effective and efficient tactics to protect their IP rights.

As her clients’ business partner, she focuses on identifying and circumventing the obstacle to IP portfolio growth and process management. With a reputation for identifying strategic solutions to even the most challenging questions, her solutions often solve the client’s problem at a reduced cost and time commitment. Her objective is to listen, learn and find the root of the actual issue or what’s at stake, and then move toward the appropriate solution.

As an electrical engineer with a focus in physics, Christine primarily concentrates her representations on technology areas of artificial intelligence, automated driving, electric and personal mobility technology, mobile and telecommunications, wireless infrastructure and applications, software and computer-related inventions, business methods, information technology, financial services, cryptography, semiconductors and additive manufacturing, electronics, bioinformatics, optics, and internet-related, block chain implemented, and e commerce and m-commerce inventions. Using her knowledge of environmental engineering, Christine also enjoys helping protect innovations in alternative energy, energy and power related technologies for further improving energy generation, distribution, and consumption efficiency.

Christine’s practice focuses on providing strategic counsel for newly formed or acquired companies on market-shifting or highly innovative technologies. Her experience encompasses evaluating, creating and implementing corporate IP programs, conducting IP due diligence and audits in connection with IP portfolio building and inventories, and developing and implementing aggressive patent ling strategies. Christine is also experienced at complex patent prosecution, handling patent enforcement issues including licensing and litigation; negotiating and drafting high-tech agreements relating to patents, knowhow and branding; rendering opinions concerning the infringement, validity and enforceability of patents; and handling IP aspects of employment issues.

Christine has particular strength regarding intellectual property and government contracts issues, in particular, with U.S. export-controlled technology, having previously worked in technology transfer with the Department of Energy and Department of Defense. She regularly counsels and represents clients interested in licensing technology to or from the United States government.

Christine publishes and speaks regularly on IP-related subjects to various societies and interested business groups.

 

Noor Al-Banna | Ocean Tomo, a part of J.S Held

Noor Al-Banna, CFA, CLP, CVA is a Senior Director in the Management Consulting and Valuation practice of Ocean Tomo, a part of J.S. Held. Noor’s experience includes valuation, strategy, and transaction advisory assistance to companies, investors, and governments in a variety of industries including life sciences, energy and climate tech, sustainable materials and production, software, and retail, among others. Noor’s analyses have been used to support investment decisions, capital raises, IP monetization, M&A, bankruptcy & restructuring, IP licensing, JV formation, litigation, and tax matters. Noor’s valuation experience includes significant experience with the valuation of intangible assets including patented and unpatented technology, brands, software, data, and other intellectual property assets.

 

Daniel Principe | Ocean Tomo, a part of J.S Held

Daniel Principe, CLP joined J.S. Held in March of 2022 as part of J.S. Held’s acquisition of Ocean Tomo. Daniel is a Director in the Management Consulting and Valuation practice of Ocean Tomo, a part of J.S. Held. Daniel provides strategy, valuation, and transaction advisory assistance to public and private companies in a wide range of industries including internet technology, energy, life sciences, telecommunications, aerospace, and retail among others. Daniel’s analyses have been used to support IP monetization, M&A, divestitures, bankruptcy & restructuring, IP licensing, JV formation, litigation, financial reporting, and tax matters. Daniel has significant experience with the valuation of intangible assets including patented and unpatented technology, brands, software, data, and other intellectual property assets.

Agenda

I. The role of IP in bankruptcy | 1:00pm – 1:10pm

II. Definition of intellectual property under the bankruptcy code | 1:10pm – 1:20pm

III. Traditional and emerging forms of IP | 1:20pm – 1:30pm

IV. Identifying and valuing IP assets prior to and during bankruptcy | 1:30pm – 1:45pm

V. Critical Issues in IP license agreements | 1:45pm – 2:00pm

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

VI. Sales of IP assets (including various mechanisms including under Section 363) | 2:10pm – 2:20pm

VII. License rights and protections under Section 365(n) | 2:20pm – 2:30pm

VIII. Common intra-and-intercompany licensing arrangements | 2:30pm – 2:40pm

IX. Assumption and assignment of IP agreements | 2:40pm – 2:50pm

X. Influential case law shaping IP and bankruptcy | 2:50pm – 3:00pm

XI. Strategic tools for asset optimization and monetization| 3:00pm – 3:10pm

Credits

Alaska

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through Alaska’s recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity.
Alabama

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Arkansas

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Arizona

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

California

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Colorado

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Connecticut

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

District of Columbia

No MCLE Required
2 CLE Hour(s)

Delaware

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Florida

Approved via Attorney Submission
2.5 General Hours

Receive CLE credit in Florida via attorney submission.
Georgia

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Hawaii

Approved for CLE Credits
2.4 General

Iowa

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Idaho

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Illinois

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Indiana

Approved For On-Demand Credits
2 General

Kansas

Pending CLE Approval
2 Substantive

Kentucky

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Louisiana

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Massachusetts

No MCLE Required
2 CLE Hour(s)

Maryland

No MCLE Required
2 CLE Hour(s)

Maine

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Michigan

No MCLE Required
2 CLE Hour(s)

Minnesota

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Missouri

Approved for CLE Credits
2.4 General

Mississippi

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Montana

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

North Carolina

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

North Dakota

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through North Dakota’s recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity. Section 1, Policy 1.14
Nebraska

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

myLawCLE reports attendance to Nebraska on each attorney’s behalf for all programs. Please do not self-report.
New Hampshire

Approved for CLE Credits
120 General minutes

As of July 1, 2014, the NHMCLE Board no longer provides pre- or post-approval of courses. Attendees must self-determine whether a program is eligible for credit, and self-report their attendance online at www.nhbar.org, based on qualification provisions of Rule 53.
New Jersey

Approved for CLE Credits
2.4 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through New Jersey’s recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity, except for the courses required under BCLE Reg. 201:2
New Mexico

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Nevada

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

New York

Approved for CLE Credits
2.4 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through New York’s Approved Jurisdiction Group “B”.
Ohio

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Oklahoma

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Oregon

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Pennsylvania

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Rhode Island

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

South Carolina

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

South Dakota

No MCLE Required
2 CLE Hour(s)

Tennessee

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Texas

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Utah

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Virginia

Not Eligible
2 General Hours

Vermont

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Washington

Approved via Attorney Submission
2 Law & Legal Hours

Receive CLE credit in Washignton via attorney submission.
Wisconsin

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

West Virginia

Pending CLE Approval
2.4 General

Wyoming

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

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