Each team is made up of up to 4 associates (or junior partners) and 1 mentor.

ChIPs Mock Pitch provides a supportive environment for associates to practice their pitch skills with mentors and network with other rising associates.

The 2027 Mock Pitch program focuses on a fictional smart-apparel case: a sports bra with an AI performance copilot, built for women athletes. The case raises issues relevant to a wide range of IP lawyers, including patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret, data licensing, privacy, and an acquisition. AI implications are embedded across the issues. They affect the case itself, how law firms might use AI, and what outside counsel should consider when selecting a firm that uses AI to manage sensitive information. 

Teams will be composed of four junior partners or associates, plus one mentor. ChIPs developed its signature Mock Pitch program to help associates and junior partners gain real-life experience pitching to clients.  

For questions about enrolling your team, contact  Bridget Johnson.  

Sign-Up a Team

Early Bird Discount  

Register before Dec. 31 and receive a $1,000 discount on registration.

Pricing

Before December 31, 2026: $5,000
After December 31, 2026: $6,000

In-house counsel who wish to volunteer to hear pitches or anyone who'd like more information about Mock Pitch may contact  Monica Phillips.

Tools for Client Development

Client Development Toolkit: Beyond feedback and practice pitching to in-house counsel, ChIPs is offering two additional benefits for 2027.

 

Mock participants will receive the following:

 

  • Meet & Prep Session (optional) on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2:00 – 3:00 ET. This is an opportunity to meet with the ChIPs Mock Committee, comprised of in-house counsel and law firm partners, alongside Mock participants from competing teams. ChIPs Mock Pitch Committee will provide an overview of the Mock Scenario and answer questions with law firm team members to help them prepare their pitch.
  • Client Development Toolkit with repeatable templates and frameworks for building both B2B and peer-to-peer (P2P) relationships. Resources include:
    • Virtual Presentation & Connection Tools with best practices for building rapport, delivering impact and standing out in a remote pitch environment.
    • LinkedIn Outreach Template for connecting with the in-house volunteer judges who will review your team during the Mock Pitch.
    • Post-event Relationship-building Strategies for continuing meaningful engagement with Mock Volunteer Judges.
    • Certificate of Mock Pitch 2027 Completion, verified by ChIPs, to add to your social profiles and CV.
    • Leader’s Guide with suggested next steps and benchmarks for the Mock Mentor to follow up with her team.

 

As an attorney in a law firm, developing business and relationships with clients is necessary to expand your practice. If you don’t have pitch experience, no one will take you on a pitch to get the experience. How do you get it? Participating in Mock Pitch gives you that experience and puts you in front of potential clients.

— Karen Keller IP Litigator and Co-Founder, Shaw Keller LLP, ChIPs Mock Program Committee Member

Background

In 2014, ChIPs developed the Mock Pitch program to create an opportunity for associates and junior partners to gain real-life experience pitching to clients, a necessary skill to elevate their careers and increase pay equity. Mock Pitch is now one of the signature events led by the ChIPs community. 

Designed to improve participants’ skills and receive feedback from leading experts in IP and law, the program featured 14 law firm teams and 60 client volunteers, including leading in-house counsel who played the role of mock clients in the scenario.

Senior-level in-house counsel with experience evaluating business pitches from outside counsel, including leaders from Sony Interactive Entertainment, Novartis, Apple, Medtronic, NetApp, VMWare, Microsoft, NetApp, Oracle, Salesforce, Dolby, T-Mobile, IBM, Meta and MasterClass, have helped elevate the next generation of women leaders and cultivate an ecosystem that advances women in tech, law and policy.

Volunteer

ChIPs is always seeking volunteer judges for the program. If you are leading in-house counsel experienced with the pitch process and selecting outside counsel and are interested in volunteering, please register using the link below.

Volunteer