On May 13, 2008, Partner Joe Shipley took office as President of the Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago (IPLAC), the nation's oldest IP law association. Fitch Even's long tradition of leadership in IPLAC dates back to 1885, when one of the firm's attorneys, Lester L. Bond, served as its first President. IPLAC counts about 1,000 IP professionals and federal judges as its members. Joe continues Fitch Even's strong tradition of leadership in IPLAC and other intellectual property law associations to help promote and guide the development of intellectual property law in the United States.