Penn State Dickinson Law Profiles in Leadership | Professor Michael Seng

Few careers embody the law’s highest aspirations as fully as my former colleague, University of Illinois Chicago School of Law Professor Michael Seng. Mike joined me recently for Penn State Dickinson Law’s Profiles in Leadership series. From his work with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund during the civil rights era, to litigation that reached the Supreme Court of the United States, to decades of leadership in fair housing, restorative justice, and comparative rule-of-law initiatives, His life’s work reminds us that law is, at its best, a vehicle for human dignity. His continuity of purpose through every chapter of his career is remarkable: civil rights advocacy in Mississippi and Cairo, Illinois; the creation of pioneering fair housing programs in Chicago; long-standing rule-of-law partnerships with the Masaryk University in the Czech Republic; and his enduring commitment to educating generations of students. Whether in civil rights work, fair housing, or restorative justice, Mike underscored that meaningful legal change begins with understanding the lived experiences of those most affected. His career is a reminder that the law is not only about rules and institutions, but about hope, service, and the steady work of building a more just society. Grateful for his wisdom, example, and lifelong commitment to justice. Episode link: https://youtu.be/icMxrkuFqpU Past episodes: https://dickinsonlaw.psu.edu/profiles-in-leadership

Penn State Dickinson Law Profiles in Leadership | Judge Young Gi Kim

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Intellectual Property High Court of Korea Judge Young Gi Kim for Penn State Dickinson Law’s Profiles in Leadership series. Our conversation offered a window into one of the world’s most sophisticated IP judiciaries and the evolving role of courts in a global innovation ecosystem. Judge Kim reflected on his journey from studying administrative law and comparative legal systems to helping shape judicial policy and innovation within Korea’s legal institutions. His vision of judging is not as a purely adjudicative function, but as a broader institutional responsibility: building systems that deliver justice efficiently, thoughtfully, and in ways that strengthen public trust. We discussed comparative law, judicial leadership, the growing use of AI in court administration, and Korea’s emergence as a leading forum for complex intellectual property disputes. He shared his insights on the importance of cross-border learning, openness to new ideas, and cultivating a culture where junior voices can thoughtfully challenge senior ones. As Judge Kim observed, leaders must be willing to do first what they ask others to follow. Episode link: https://youtu.be/Vck659_KZRI Past episodes: https://dickinsonlaw.psu.edu/profiles-in-leadership

Penn State Dickinson Law Profiles in Leadership | Alumnus Michael Scullin

[Penn State Dickinson Law Profiles in Leadership Series - Alumnus Michael Scullin Michael’s career is a remarkable study in how law, diplomacy, and leadership intersect across borders and institutions. From international transactions and dispute resolution to his nearly two decades of service as Honorary Consul of France, his professional journey reflects a rare combination of intellectual breadth, public service, and global perspective. Michael reflected on how careers often unfold not in a straight line, but in what he aptly described as a “zigzag” — shaped by curiosity, openness to new experiences, and a willingness to build on opportunities as they arise. We spoke about international legal practice, cross-cultural fluency, diplomacy, leadership across nonprofit and legal institutions, and the enduring importance of history and the rule of law in a changing world. Grateful to Michael for sharing his wisdom, generosity, and extraordinary journey with our community. Episode link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17dIkBdE04g Past episodes: https://dickinsonlaw.psu.edu/profiles-in-leadership

Korean Radio Interview | Data Centers

Delighted to join Morning Wave in Busan to discuss a question rapidly moving from the margins to the center of AI governance: should governments slow the expansion of data centers? As AI systems become increasingly dependent on large-scale physical infrastructure, data centers sit at the intersection of innovation policy, energy regulation, environmental sustainability, competition, and national security. Our conversation explored the growing policy debate in the United States over electricity demand, water usage, grid strain, and who should bear the costs of AI’s infrastructure boom. My thanks to Sue and the Morning Wave team at BeFM for the thoughtful conversation and continued invitation to engage these global questions. Video link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX8_zXJA_ko&t=4036s Penn State Dickinson Law

Penn State Dickinson Law | Guest Speakers

It has been a privilege to welcome an outstanding group of guest speakers to my classes, each bringing students closer to the realities and doctrinal intricacies of patent and antitrust practice. Professor Mark D. Janis (Indiana University Maurer School of Law) joined us for two exceptional sessions on design patent law, exploring both the evolving meaning of the “article of manufacture” requirement (https://lnkd.in/gMu2K4JC) and the deeper relationship between design patent infringement and unfair competition principles (https://lnkd.in/g5bqxf9E). Ranjini Acharya (Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP) offered a practitioner’s perspective on patent litigation before the International Trade Commission. She prescribed Jorge Contreras' excellent article on the ITC as course reading (https://lnkd.in/gkq2g2vR). Harsha Kurpad (Latham & Watkins), a Penn State University alumnus, shared his insights on e-discovery in antitrust litigation. His discussion of how massive data environments, internal communications, and technical evidence shape cases such as United States v. Google helped students appreciate how legal theory is translated into evidence that litigators and courts use to resolve complex antitrust issues. Some of the most meaningful legal education happens at the intersection of doctrine, practice, and lived professional experience. I am deeply grateful to them for their generosity with our students.

Penn State Dickinson Law | Admitted Students Day

It was a pleasure to participate in Penn State Dickinson Law’s Admitted Student Day in Carlisle, organized by Rebecca Schreiber, M.Ed., and her team of colleagues and student volunteers. I joined colleagues and students for an “Ask Me Anything” panel with students and their guests. The discussion was wide-ranging, covering the transition to law school, maintaining balance, internships and externships, housing, law review, and our core values. Moments like this reinforce what legal education should be: rigorous, supportive, and grounded in community. Nicholas Kahn-Fogel | Bekah Saidman-Krauss | Devon Spiva | Anesia Lawson

March Highlights

Highlights from: - I-TIDE (World Intellectual Property Organization – WIPO-Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS)-Penn State Dickinson Law), which brought together over 900 registrants for hybrid seminars at WilmerHale and Morrison Foerster on substantive AI-IP issues and the latest developments in dispute resolution: https://www.ipos.gov.sg/news/events/i-tide/2026/. Thank you to the leadership for being present to support and steward these initiatives and strategic partnerships: Danielle Conway Kong Hwee Tan Ignacio de Castro. With excellent panelists, the moderator's job is a breeze. Thank you to: Jonathan Lim | Jacob Noti-Victor | Tom Pease | Joshua L. Simmons | Ethan J. | Tony Yeo | Jordan Gimbel | Joe Gratz | Shankar Krithivasan | Dr Stanley Lai, SC | Gideon Myles | Jon Small - Closed-door roundtables at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP and MoFo with corporate counsel, outside counsel, arbitrators, and mediators. With thanks to David Kappos and Rich Hung. - Dickinson Law's Alum & Friends reception in New York, where alumni had the opportunity to meet speakers and guests from the seminar and roundtable. Thank you: Josh Trego | Jessica Seretti | Brett Conway | Kimberly Plummer - Visits and meetings: Merck | Google | Google DeepMind | Microsoft | Federal Circuit Bar Association® | Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP | CPR Institute- International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution | Santa Clara University School of Law. Thank you to our hosts for their graciousness and hospitality. - Panel discussion on "Reimagining Efficiency: Innovations Shaping the Future of ADR" at California Arbitration (CalArb) Week: https://calawyers.org/2026-california-international-arbitration-week/schedule/ Thank you to those who worked with the co-organizers behind the scenes: Mark Lim | Sandy Widjaja | Sze Yin C. | Gabriel Ong | Mei Lin Tan | See Tho Pik Yee | Sarah Loh | Rui Lin Koh and more. Yours is the effort that bookends us all.

Profiles in Leadership: Cheryl Seah

Over the past several weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting with colleagues across Carlisle and University Park, as well as alumni and partners in Chicago. In Carlisle, I enjoyed thoughtful conversations with Penn State Dickinson Law colleagues Gary S. Gildin and Bill Butler. At University Park, I connected with Rachel Arnold, Matt Gardner, Justis Reed, Jonathan D'Silva, my Penn State Institute for Computational and Data Sciences colleagues Guido Cervone, Wolf Hey, and Chad Bahrmann, as well as Ligia I. Reyes, PhD, MPH (Penn State College of Health and Human Development) and Zhen Lei (Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences). I also had the opportunity to reconnect with my former University of Illinois Chicago School of Law colleagues, Sandy Olken, Cross, Karen Halverson, and Michael Schlesinger, and John Marshall Law School alum Adam Kelly in Chicago. These conversations remind me that institutions are ultimately defined by people and our relationships with them. It is through these relationships, sustained across locations, disciplines, and cities, that we expand what is possible for our students, our scholarship, and our shared mission.

Strengthening Our Community Through Connection

Over the past several weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting with colleagues across Carlisle and University Park, as well as alumni and partners in Chicago. In Carlisle, I enjoyed thoughtful conversations with Penn State Dickinson Law colleagues Gary S. Gildin and Bill Butler. At University Park, I connected with Rachel Arnold, Matt Gardner, Justis Reed, Jonathan D'Silva, my Penn State Institute for Computational and Data Sciences colleagues Guido Cervone, Wolf Hey, and Chad Bahrmann, as well as Ligia I. Reyes, PhD, MPH (Penn State College of Health and Human Development) and Zhen Lei (Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences). I also had the opportunity to reconnect with my former University of Illinois Chicago School of Law colleagues, Sandy Olken, Cross, Karen Halverson, and Michael Schlesinger, and John Marshall Law School alum Adam Kelly in Chicago. These conversations remind me that institutions are ultimately defined by people and our relationships with them. It is through these relationships, sustained across locations, disciplines, and cities, that we expand what is possible for our students, our scholarship, and our shared mission.

Bringing Antitrust and Patent Law to Life Through Practice

Over the past several weeks, our Antitrust Law and Patent Law students have had the opportunity to learn directly from leaders shaping the field. Mike Dzwonczyk, Partner at Sughrue Mion PLLC, brought the realities of patent litigation strategy and remedies into the classroom. Professor Doni Bloomfield of Fordham University School of Law challenged students to think about resilience as an emerging objective in antitrust analysis, particularly in light of supply-chain shocks and systemic risk. Elena Ponte, Attorney at the Federal Trade Commission, shared about the important work the FTC does in keeping markets competitive. These conversations bridge doctrine and practice, giving students a clearer sense of how law operates in real institutions. They also offer our alumni community a window into the dynamic intellectual life of Penn State Dickinson Law and our ongoing commitment to preparing students for leadership in a rapidly evolving legal landscape. Many thanks to my colleague Brett Conway for hosting a lunch with Mike.