The 2026 WBENC National Conference in Salt Lake City made one thing clear: this community doesn’t just connect–it moves.
From the first session to the final celebration, women-owned businesses, corporate partners, and industry leaders showed up ready to take advantage of the opportunities in front of them. Conversations turned into next steps. Introductions turned into action plans.
As one attendee put it, the value of WBENC goes “far beyond business opportunities… it’s about the relationships we build, the ideas we exchange, and the community we continue to strengthen together.”
There wasn’t just energy. There was action.
West Hill Attorneys Annie Morgan, Kim Prior and Louise Kennedy at the WBENC 2026 Opening Session
We’re proud to be on the WBENC 2026 National Conference Host Committee alongside an incredible group of women leaders creating real community impact.
Opening Session at WBENC National Conference 2026.
A Community Built to Drive Impact
WBENC continues to set the standard for what a meaningful business community looks like—connection, execution, and impact.
At West Hill, we were proud to be part of a community that prioritizes supporting and doing—not just discussing.
WBENC’s 2026 theme—IMPACT—showed up everywhere. From programming to Expo conversations to the way attendees showed up for each other with intention. Not as a tagline, but as a standard.
Leaders reinforced that this network isn’t just about access—it’s about outcomes. As WBENC Co-Chair Janice Bryant Howroyd put it:
“WBENC is more than a certification; it’s a powerful network that amplifies the voices of women-owned businesses and drives meaningful progress… Together, we unlock opportunities, build partnerships, and inspire growth.”
That ethos was visible across every room, every session, and every conversation.
WBENC Co-Chair Janice Bryant Howroyd
Susan Phillips Bari founded the Women Business Enterprise Network on March 14, 1997–connecting women entrepreneurs with the corporate supply chain opportunities on a national scale.
Pam Price Eason’s wise words–”I’m a lifelong leaner, I always want to learn.”
Pam Prince Eason and the legacy of a transformative leader. She was a force of change to carry forward through the WBENC network.
Announcement of WBENCs WBE Stars
Tammy Sue Cooper
Monday, June 15: Start with Purpose, Build for Impact
The week opened with a clear directive: act boldly, lead intentionally and build something that lasts.
The General Session set the tone early–this isn’t about showing up to listen. It’s about showing up and taking action. As a Host Committee member, West Hill joined the Center for Women & Enterprise to bring this that mindset to life—grounded in long-term investment in women entrepreneurs and the ecosystems that support them.
A few takeaways that stuck:
The future of work is already shifting–if we want to stay relevant, we need to prepare for roles that don’t exist yet. Stay curious.
We need to continuously update our operating system. The best leaders aren’t “know-it-alls”–they’re “learn-it’alls”
Progress requires clarity, but leadership requires comfort with nuance.
We also got our hands dirty–collaborating on the Acadia-themed Northeast Region poster and “impact journey” bandanas for the National Parks evening event. A reminder that this community builds together, not just alongside each other.
Bottom line: Impact is intentional. And it starts on day one.
Lauren De Young, Workplace Futurist, Allstate spoke about The New Economy: Where Legacy Meets Resurgence
Lauren De Young, Workplace Futurist, Allstate spoke about The New Economy: Where Legacy Meets Resurgence
Tuesday, June 16: Access that Actually Moves the Needle
Tuesday delivered what WBENC consistently does better than most: real access.
Corporate Meet & Greets and Industry Labs weren’t just well-attended–they were productive. The difference is simple: this is access to decision-makers who can actually move your business forward.
This isn’t networking for the sake of it. It’s business development in real time.
The biggest takeaway: When access is paired with preparation and follow-through, it converts.
This is where strategies get tested, refined and–if you do it right–advanced.
Louise Kennedy, Ebony Smith and Eric Smith, Business Moderator: Sarah Noble, Executive Director, Mergers and Acquisitions–Wells Fargo and Panel: Louise Kennedy, Founding Attorney at West Hill Technology Counsel, Ebony Smith, President & Founder at Ebenum and Eric Smith, Business Owner Advisory Strategist at Wells Fargo.
Industry Labs Panel on Finance: Using M&A to Shape Your Business Future
Louise Kennedy, Founding Attorney at West Hill and Ebony Smith, President & Founder at Ebenum Equation on the Industry Labs Panel: Using M&A to Shape Your Business Future
Louise Kennedy, Ebony Smith and Eric Smith, Business Owner Advisory Strategist at Wells Fargo.
Louise Kennedy answering questions after the M&A Panel.
WBENC 2026 and the West Hill Team, Annie Morgan, Louise Kennedy, Shehla Syed and Kim Prior.
Annie Morgan, Intellectual Property Attorney
Louise Kennedy, Founding Attorney and Shehla Syed Shareholder. IP Strategist & Litigator at WBENC 2026.
Kim Prior, Business & Finance Transactions Attorney.
Kim Patrick, Marketing Director and Kim Prior, Attorney at the Sneaker Jam WBENC 2026.
Kim Patrick, Annie Morgan, Shehla Syed and Kim Prior, rooftop at the Element.
Salt Lake City sunset at the Element.
Wednesday, June 17: Engagement that Creates Opportunity
Once the Expo floor opened, the energy shifted into full gear.
The West Hill booth became what we intended it to be: a point of entry. A way to start a conversation, create a connection, and open the door to more substantive conversations about building and protecting innovative businesses.
And that distinction matters:
Engagement isn’t the goal. Results are.
From quick interactions to deeper conversations around growth, tech, and risk, the throughline was consistent–help businesses move faster, smarter, and with more confidence.
Across the conference, that same pattern held:
Relationships aren’t built in a single moment. But moments start them.
The West Hill Technology Counsel booth 2026.
Lawyers for the Business of Technology.
Shehla Syed, Shareholder, IP strategist & Litigator at West Hill engaging with attendees in the West Hill booth at the WBENC Expo 2026.
Attendees came by the West Hill booth and played cornhole. Targeted Legal. Big Impact. Aim for Growth. Avoid risk.
West Hill attorneys Annie Morgan and Kim Prior connecting with attendees in the West Hill booth 2026.
Founding Attorney, Louise Kennedy, connecting in the West Hill booth 2026.
Louise Kennedy in cornhole game mode.
Annie Morgan, Risk managed. IMPACT unlocked.
Annie Morgan, scoring IMPACT.
Kim Prior, Business & Finance Transactions Attorney, connecting in the West Hill Booth.
Annie Morgan, Shehla Syed, Kim Prior and Louise Kennedy in the WH booth at WBENC 2026.
Kim Patrick, Marketing Director at West Hill, trying to beat Shehla’s high score of 20 (all 4 bags in the hole).
Score your IMPACT. Leader Board.
Speaker Spotlight: Leadership in Action
Keynote Coach Dawn Staley’s message landed: leadership is discipline, accountability and belief–executed consistently at every level of success. Not theory. Practice.
Other session themes reinforced that same idea:
Growth requires action–not just strategy
Procurement is evolving into a strategic driver
The businesses that move fastest are the ones willing to step into bigger opportunities, earlier
Translation: execution wins. Keep taking the next step.
Speaker Spotlight: Ayana Parsons
Rich and Rundown Is Expected. Wealthy and Free Is Not. – Ayana Parsons
What if the biggest thing standing between your business and your wealth is the story you’ve been telling yourself?
In one of our favorite sessions, Ayana Parsons challenged women business owners to rethink the relationship between entrepreneurship, success, and financial freedom. A venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and co-founder of the Fearless Fund, Parsons brought a candid perspective shaped by her own experience building and selling a successful business.
In her session, she explored a provocative idea: many founders know how to build thriving companies, but far fewer know how to build lasting wealth. Parsons encouraged attendees to move beyond being “rich and rundown” and instead envision a future where they are truly “wealthy and free.”
It was an honest conversation about ownership, valuation, succession, and the difference between running a business and a business running you.
“I confused building my business over building wealth. They are not the same. Because growth is important—but freedom is the ultimate goal.”
Thursday, June 18: From Connection to Conversion
By Thursday, you could feel the shift.
Conversations went deeper. Follow-ups started happening in real time. “Nice to meet you: turned into “Let’s do this.”
This is where WBENC stands apart–people come back, reconnect and move things forward quickly. Relationships strengthened. Opportunities became more tangible.
And the conversations reflected what our clients are living every day:
Speed and agility aren’t optional–they’re expected
Compliance and risk management aren’t side considerations–you can’t afford to get them wrong
AI, data and operational efficiency are no longer future state–they are now
The takeaway:
The businesses that win will be the ones that balance growth with discipline–and move without creating unnecessary risk.
Closing Moments: Momentum That Doesn’t Stop Here
As the conference wrapped, the focus stayed grounded in what matters most: collective impact.
Not a theoretical impact. Economic impact. Real businesses driving growth, innovation, and leadership across industries.
The energy in Salt Lake City wasn’t just celebratory—it was directional. Momentum that continues well beyond the conference.
West Hill’s favorite literary character at the Salt Lake City Public Library WBENC 2026 Event
“Fight for the things you care about.” RBG and West Hill’s Kim Prior, Louise Kennedy, Shehla Syed and Annie Morgan.
West Hill Attorneys: Kim Prior, Shehla Syed, Louise Kennedy and Annie Morgan as RBG.
Louise Kennedy, Shehla Syed, Kim Prior and Annie Morgan at WBENC 2026.
The West Hill Takeaway: Impact isn’t passive. It’s Built.
WBENC 2026 reinforced something we already believe:
Impact doesn’t happen by showing up. It happens when you do something with the room you are in.
That means:
Engaging with intention
Following through quickly
Turning conversations into action
That is how we approach our work. And that is why the WBENC community fits.
We don’t just show up. We help businesses move forward.
Because impact isn’t what you talk about. It’s what you build.
Annie Morgan, Louise Kennedy, Shehla Syed and Kim Prior are ready for IMPACT.
Targeted Legal. Big IMPACT. WBENC 2026 and the West Hill team, Kim Prior, Shehla Syed, Louise Kennedy and Annie Morgan.
West Hill Technology Counsel is pleased to announce that Shehla Syed and Annie Morgan have been recognized by Super Lawyers for 2026, highlighting their accomplishments in the legal field.
Shehla Syed, Shareholder and IP Strategist at West Hill, has been named a Super Lawyer 2026, a recognition she has received for over five years. Shehla focuses her practice on intellectual property strategy, trademark, copyright, and patent matters, technology transactions, and intellectual property litigation. She works closely with technology-driven companies to protect and enforce their innovations, brands, and creative assets. Shehla brings a strategic, business-aligned approach to complex intellectual property issues. Super Lawyers awards this distinction to no more than five percent of attorneys in each state through a rigorous peer-review and research process.
“Shehla and Annie exemplify the caliber of lawyers we strive to attract and support at West Hill—strategic thinkers who combine deep technical knowledge with practical, client-focused advice. Their Super Lawyers recognitions reflect their dedication to excellence, innovation, and our clients’ success.” said Louise Kennedy, Founding Attorney, West Hill Technology Counsel.
West Hill congratulates Shehla and Annie on these well-earned honors and celebrates their continued leadership and impact across the firm’s intellectual property and technology-focused practices.
About West Hill
West Hill Technology Counsel is a boutique business and technology law firm. The firm provides proactive, practical legal advice to help business owners and corporate decision makers solve problems before they arise. West Hill represents new and growing businesses that create or leverage technology as a core part of their business models.
About Super Lawyers
For more Information on Super Lawyers, click here.
West Hill is pleased to announce that our firm has been ranked among the nation’s top law firms by Best Lawyers®, achieving recognition in the Best Law Firms® 2025 edition. Firms in the Best Law Firms rankings are recognized for excellence and have impressive ratings from clients and peers.
The 15th edition of Best Law Firms, independently produced by Best Lawyers, serves as a benchmark for excellence in the legal industry, providing a comprehensive and reliable guide to the top-performing law firms across 127 practice areas and 188 local jurisdictions. The rankings are meticulously compiled based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes client feedback, peer reviews, industry leader interviews, and detailed analysis of law firm data. Best Law Firms received more than 100,000 client references and observed a 65% increase in client participation in its survey for the 2025 edition.
According to Best Lawyers, achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise. Ranked firms, presented in three tiers, are recognized on a national and regional scale. Firms that receive a tier designation reflect the highest level of respect a firm can earn among other leading lawyers and clients from the same communities and practice areas. West Hill has been recognized in Boston as Tier 2 for Litigation–Intellectual Property.
“We are both delighted and proud to be awarded this prestigious designation and recognized for our firm’s expertise in intellectual property law,” said Louise Leduc Kennedy, Founding Attorney, West Hill.
About Best Lawyers Best Law Firms
For more information about Best Lawyers® and the Best Law Firms list, click here.
About West Hill
West Hill Technology Counsel is a boutique business and technology law firm. Providing proactive, practical legal advice to solve problems before they arise. Our clients are new and growing businesses that create or leverage technology as a core business model.
West Hill Technology Counsel is honored to announce that Shehla Syed has been named to the Top 50: Women Lawyers in Massachusetts by Super Lawyers for 2024 for her accomplishments in the legal field.
Shehla Syed is a Shareholder, IP strategist and litigator at West Hill Technology Counsel, a boutique law firm for companies that create or leverage technology. She advises clients on all aspects of their intellectual property. Shehla has extensive experience helping companies maximize the value and enforceability of their technology, content, and brands, including protection through trademarks, copyrights, patents and trade secrets.
Shehla started her career in large law firms in Baltimore and Chicago, primarily focusing on patent law and patent litigation. After moving from Chicago to Boston, and starting a family, she explored career options that allow her to practice within her field, care for her growing family, and continue to be active in the community. Shehla allowed herself time to explore opportunities that better align with her professional and personal goals.
In 2010, Shehla met Louise Kennedy, who had recently left IBM to form a boutique technology law firm. West Hill was unique: it was founded as a mission-driven law firm to redefine the culture of legal practice with two goals — to provide exceptional value to clients and to provide quality of life for attorneys who choose to step off the large law firm or in-house path. It was a perfect fit. Shehla joined West Hill and expanded her expertise beyond patents and litigation to trademarks, copyright law, and technology-focused alternative dispute resolution. Twelve years later, Shehla is a Shareholder and leads West Hill’s intellectual property and litigation teams.
“We are thrilled with the well-deserved recognition of Shehla Syed as an outstanding attorney and a Top 50 Woman Lawyer in Massachusetts,” said Louise Kennedy, Founding Attorney, West Hill Technology Counsel.
About Shehla Syed
Shehla is a Shareholder and IP Strategist specializing in Intellectual Property, Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution. Ms.Syed counsels clients on all aspects of their intellectual property – trademarks, copyrights, patents and trade secrets – to help them maximize the value and enforceability of their content, brands and technology.
Shehla is a member of the Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts, the Boston Patent Law Association, and the New England Muslim Bar Association, for which she was one of the founding members. Shehla has also served on the Community Ethics Committee at the Division of Medical Ethics of the Harvard Medical School which provides ethics feedback to Harvard teaching hospitals.
About West Hill
West Hill Technology Counsel is a boutique business and technology law firm. Providing pro-active, practical legal advice to help solve problems before they arise. Our clients are new and growing businesses that create or leverage technology as a core business model.
About Super Lawyers
For more information on Super Lawyers and their Top 50: Women Lawyers Massachusetts 2024 click here.
West Hill Technology Counsel is pleased to announce that Shehla Syed was named to the Best Lawyers in America® list and Kim Prior – Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® list 2025.
West Hill’s approach to law is grounded in fueling the growth of our business clients and the success of our communities. The recognition of its attorneys by Best Lawyers reflects this mission and highlights the team’s collaborative effort to provide sophisticated legal services to protect technology businesses.
“For more than 40 years, the rigorous methodology of Best Lawyers has ensured the integrity and esteem of our legal recognitions,” said Best Lawyers CEO Phillip Greer. “It is with great pleasure that we continue to provide potential clients with the pinnacle measurement of credibility through our Best Lawyers awards as they search for counsel.”
Lawyers on the Best Lawyers in America list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers based on professional expertise and undergo an authentication process to ensure they are in current practice and good standing.
About Shehla Syed
Shehla is a Shareholder and IP Strategist specializing in Intellectual Property, Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution. Ms. Syed counsels clients on all aspects of their intellectual property – trademarks, copyrights, patents and trade secrets – to help them maximize the value and enforceability of their content, brands and technology.
About Kim Prior
Kim is a business law attorney with experience advising clients on corporate matters. Kim has specialized knowledge in private investment funds, domestic and international securities offerings, corporate formation, equity structuring, financings and contract negotiations representing both for-profit and non-for-profit businesses.
About West Hill
West Hill Technology Counsel is a boutique business and technology law firm. Providing proactive, practical legal advice to help solve problems before they arise. Our clients are new and growing businesses that create or leverage technology as a core business model.
This next post in our series introduces Annie Morgan, an attorney who recently joined the firm after working as in-house intellectual property counsel for a global company.
What is your practice area?
I am a patent attorney and have spent time working at big and small law firms and also working in-house with public and privately held global companies. My practice also includes data and privacy law, which is evolving and growing in importance as a consideration for technology companies.
What drew you to West Hill?
I was drawn to the expertise of West Hill Technology Counsel to serve growing technology- and IP-focused companies. In addition to practicing intellectual property law, West Hill provides the opportunity to grow and expand my legal skills.
What do you like about working at West Hill?
In addition to providing opportunities to work with interesting clients and access to resources for growth in the legal industry, West Hill provides an atmosphere of respect for all team members. West Hill is a firm founded, owned, managed, and staffed by women. That unique perspective helps the firm to provide opportunities to find a much-needed balance to enjoy time outside of work and opportunities to work with an array of clients.
What makes West Hill unique?
What separates West Hill Technology Counsel from other boutique firms is that it has the capability for one-stop shopping for both large or established companies and also for startup companies. West Hill’s unique advantage is its ability to serve all companies with a moderate fee structure while providing deep expertise in not only intellectual property but also commercial and technology contracts, corporate and finance issues, and dispute resolution. It is truly a one-stop shop for any growth-oriented technology company.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love exploring new destinations through traveling and enjoying restaurants in the Boston area with my husband. You can also find me reading, making time for art, and gardening.
You can learn more about Annie by visiting her attorney bio here.
On Tuesday, March 21, 2024, Louise Kennedy, West Hill Founding Attorney was honored by WBENC (Women’s Buisness Enterprise National Council) as a 2024 WBE Star in Denver, CO. President & CEO Pamela Prince Eason and WBENC Board Chair Nedra Dickson, kicked-off the conference with an inspiring welcome. Bringing the Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) President, Gabrielle King Morse , and Louise on stage to be recognized for outstanding business achievement, leadership and impact among women owned businesses.
2024 WBENC National Conference
Shehla Syed, Louise Kennedy and Jennica Holoquist
President & CEO Pamela Prince Eason
Loiuise Kennedy and Gaby King Morse
Louise being recognized as a 2024 WBE Star
Louise Kennedy and Gaby King Morse
Conference theme: A-M-P-L-I-F-Y
Louise Kennedy, West Hill Founding Attorney
Louise carrying the “A” in Amplify
Legal Questions? Ask West Hill.
A glimpse at the WBENC Expo and the inside the West Hill booth. The team was asked questions about the complexities of buisness ownership, challenges in executing a Strategic Alliance, entering into contracts with corporates, Saas problems and in-house lawyers did not know anything about Saas. Interestingly, when we asked the business owners about plans for their exit, most people said, “no”.
Louise, WBE Star 2024
Jennica Holoquist, Louise Kennedy and Shehla Syed in the West Hill booth
Legal Questions? Ask: Shehla.
Legal Questions? Ask: Louise
West Hill Vision and Mission
Evening Receptions at Wings Over Rockies and Gaylord Hotel Colorado Ski Lodge Party
Jennica Holoquist, Shehla Syed and Louise Kennedy at the Colorado Air & Space Museum
Shehla Syed and Jennica Holoquist
Jennica Holoquist and the WBENC party blimp
Gaylord Resort dinner at sunset
Jennica Holoquist, Louise Kennedy, Shehla Syed and Kim Patrick
Louise Honored as a 2024 WBE Star at the VIP Brunch
The WBE Star Award is the nation’s premier award for women’s excellence in business leadership
Louise Kennedy, Founding Attorney at West Hill Technology Counsel, has been recognized as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) Star by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the nation’s largest certifier of women-owned businesses and leader in women’s business development. The WBE Star Award is the nation’s top recognition for excellence among women-owned businesses, honoring 14 women who are leaders in their local business communities and respective fields from across the country within each Regional Partner Organization. Louise was nominated by the Northeast regional partner, Center for Women and Enterprise (CWE). CWE serves the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
The 2024 WBE Stars will be honored during the 2024 WBENC National Conference, the largest event of its kind for women-owned business entrepreneurs and business leaders taking place March 19-22, 2024, in Denver, Colorado.
Honoring Women in Business
“West Hill has been a long-time supporter of CWE, hosting and participating in events and encouraging other woman-owned businesses to apply for WBENC and SBA Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) certifications. West Hill was founded in part to address inequality in the legal workplace as described in the West Hill Vision and Mission. Our work with CWE is an extension of this.” said Louise Kennedy.
“We could not be prouder of our 2024 WBE Stars,” says Pamela Prince-Eason, President and CEO of WBENC. “Each one of them exemplifies the vital role women-owned businesses play in our economy. They are outstanding leaders, mentors and innovators, and we look forward to honoring them in March and throughout the year.”
“This year we sought to recognize and celebrate WBEs who embody the spirit of “AMPLIFY” – having grown their business, strengthened a challenging area, expanded to new products and services or markets, heightened performance with development of talent, leadership, relationships, or accelerated business impact and results. Louise Kennedy, Founding Attorney and CEO of West Hill Technology Counsel has certainly done that and is an inspiration for the entire WBENC network.”
Pamela Prince-Eason
Tap Into WBENC
“Being recognized as a 2024 Women’s Business Enterprise Star by WBENC and my Regional Partner Organization, Center for Women and Enterprise, is an incredible honor. Our WBENC Certification has unlocked countless opportunities that we take advantage of continuously. WBENC is truly the leading women’s business development organization and I encourage all current WBEs and other women-owned small businesses to tap into the limitless potential of the WBENC network.” said Louise Kennedy.
Register or find out more about Amplify, the WBENC National conference at https://www.wbenc.org/conference/.
About WBENC
WBENC is the nation’s leading advocate of women-owned businesses and entrepreneurs, supported by more than 540 Corporate Members that value our world-class standard of certification to women-owned businesses throughout the country. Throughout the year, WBENC provides professional development, business development, and outreach opportunities for more than 18,000 WBENC Certified women-owned businesses, Corporate and Government Members, and the national WBENC network. Partnering with 14 Regional Partner Organizations (RPOs), WBENC is the largest third-party certifier of businesses owned, controlled, and operated by women in the United States. Learn more at www.wbenc.org.
About West Hill
West Hill Technology Counsel is a boutique business and technology law firm. Providing pro-active, practical legal advice to help IP-focused businesses grow, assess risk, and plan for and execute a successful exit.
In this series, we are introducing the West Hill Law team. We’re starting with Jennica Holoquist, a Business and Transactions Attorney who joined our team after graduating from Suffolk University Law School.
What areas of law are you most interested in?
In law school I was most interested in intellectual property, mainly trademarks and copyright, but since coming to West Hill, my interest and focus now includes business transactions and data privacy.
What drew you to West Hill?
A combination of the firm’s focus areas and company culture. I was excited that West Hill does IP work, which was my concentration at school. In addition, it handles other practice areas so I could expand my skills and knowledge base. I loved that the firm was a women owned business as I have always felt more comfortable and encouraged when being around women. As a young attorney, I was looking for the opportunity to be supported in my growth. I also really respected the mission of West Hill which is to provide effective and enthusiastic legal services to all our clients at competitive rates while respecting the needs of the legal staff.
How would you describe working at West Hill to a friend?
I often describe West Hill as a very collaborative work environment. The whole team is open to working together to put out the best work possible for all the clients. There is a good balance between having the space to bunker down and do the work on your own but also to run to a colleague and get their perspective on any issues. I would describe West Hill as open, dedicated, and encouraging.
What makes West Hill unique?
The company culture makes West Hill unique. For example, I am someone who has struggled with asking for help which has the ability to hinder growth or efficiency. At West Hill, that is not something I have to worry about. I can ask anyone here questions and they will be treated with understanding and responded to with care. In the short amount of time that I have been here, this has allowed me to grow as a lawyer and improve my client work. I will also add that the way West Hill cares about the clients is unique. Here you are not just another name on a file. West Hill does a great job of communicating with clients and really understanding both short and long term goals. The team helps clients plan for the best and most efficient way to reach those goals.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love to dance, I did many different types of dance all the way through college. It’s something that brings me a lot of joy. I spend a lot of time with my dog Macfarlane mainly playing fetch (sometimes even in the house). I am also a big movie and television fan so I am always looking for something new to watch.
Why did you decide to become a lawyer?
From a very young age, I wanted to be able to support others who did not have the ability or the knowledge to do something on their own. I would say that is another reason I really like working at West Hill, especially with start-ups. I get the chance to help people grow their businesses or protect their work in a way that they might not be able to without that guidance and support.
Contact Jennica Holoquist
Click here for more information and contact info for Jennica.
Your company’s intellectual property may be one of your most valuable assets. But how do you go about protecting that asset? What intellectual property do you have in your business and how can you protect it? The North Shore Technology Council has invited Louise Kennedy, the West Hill Founder, to lead a program titled IP is Not Just Patents. Join Louise for a FREE lunch-hour zoom on Thursday, January 25th, from 12-1 pm. Register here today. Both NSTC members and non-members are welcome to attend.
This program will discuss how using copyright, trademark, and trade secret protection can increase the value of your company. Louise will also walk through the steps required to protect non-patent intellectual property assets. These include copyright and trademark filings, as well as company policies. The discussion will cover the role of contracts for routine business transactions in preserving these rights. Finally, Louise will walk through typical IP-related questions in M&A due diligence and why you should ask them or be prepared to answer them.
About the North Shore Technology Council
The NSTC hosts unique learning/networking events for innovators, entrepreneurs, service providers and career-seekers north of Boston – and beyond, connecting them with global experts across technology and the sciences – and each other – to build knowledge and foster collaboration that drives personal and business growth. Find out more about the NSTC and its membership here.
About Louise Kennedy
Louise Leduc Kennedy is the founding attorney of West Hill Technology Counsel. She has extensive experience advising technology companies on intellectual property and strategic matters. She is passionate about service agreements and ensuring her clients understand the legal jargon in their agreements so they are legally protected and positioned for growth. Louise loves working with innovative women and their entrepreneurial businesses.
Prior to forming the firm, Ms. Kennedy worked as in-house counsel at IBM Corporation for 9 years. During this time she supported the Global Sales and Distribution Group, IBM Business Consulting Services as well as the Lotus brand within IBM Software Group. Her responsibilities included the structure and negotiation of complex e-marketplace offerings as well as supply-chain management and e-procurement software alliances.
Louise received her B.A. in Economics from Smith College and her J.D., with honors, from the University of Connecticut School of Law.
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