Editorial Excellence
Meet Our Distinguished Board
Founding Editor
Daphne Ekpe
Founder, LetsTalkIPwithDaphne
Daphne Ekpe is an acclaimed Intellectual Property (IP) Specialist and the visionary behind LetsTalkIPwithDaphne, an initiative advancing IP awareness, education, and policy innovation in the digital economy. Through this platform and her editorial leadership at the Journal of IP Professionals (JIPPS), Daphne fosters critical dialogue at the intersection of IP, technology, and business, empowering creatives, entrepreneurs, and innovators globally.
She holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in IP and Technology from the American University Washington College of Law. Her research, including the well-regarded paper "Copyright Trolling in the Use of Creative Commons Licenses", continues to shape global debates on copyright and open licensing.
In practice, Daphne advises startups and creatives on trademark and copyright protection in emerging technologies. Her work has earned her recognition as a Top IP Leader at the IP GORILLA Virtual Conference and a feature in the Women's IP World Annual 2025 Magazine.
Managing Editor
Adebomi Adekeye
Commercial Lawyer & Chartered Accountant
Adebomi Adekeye is a commercially minded lawyer and chartered accountant with extensive experience in commercial legal practice. She delivers strategic, tailored solutions to meet the complex needs of clients across diverse sectors, including the dynamic tech and innovation ecosystem.
Adebomi is recognized for her expertise in providing comprehensive advice on immigration, taxation, corporate finance, intellectual property, and emerging technology regulations. She supports innovators, startups, and established companies in protecting and maximizing the value of their IP assets, ensuring alignment with broader commercial goals.
Her insights at the intersection of law, business, and technology enable clients to navigate complex legal landscapes while leveraging innovation for growth. Clients consistently describe her as a reliable advisor with remarkable insight and a strong commercial approach.
Editor
Christianah Akinyemi
Attorney, T-I-L® (Technology-Innovation-Law)
Christianah Akinyemi is a licensed attorney with over five years of legal experience in Nigeria and a graduate of the LL.M. program in Intellectual Property and Technology Law at American University Washington College of Law. She is passionate about promoting access to intellectual property rights and has worked with innovative startups, creative professionals, and legal organizations to advance IP awareness and protection.
At T-I-L®, a technology-focused intellectual property firm, Christianah has led outreach initiatives, contributed to legal research, organized training sessions on IP rights and artificial intelligence, and helped build strategic partnerships to expand the firm's impact.
Onyinye Odita
Editorial Assistant
Onyinye Odita is a legal scholar and practitioner specializing in Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance and Intellectual Property (IP) regulation. She began her career as an IP, Media, and Entertainment Lawyer at PUNUKA Attorneys & Solicitors, advising creative and technology clients on copyright, licensing, brand protection, and IP portfolio management across film, music, and digital content sectors.
She holds an LL.M. in Intellectual Property and Artificial Intelligence Law from the University of Calgary, where her research examined AI regulation and the evolving boundaries of IP protection. During her graduate studies, she served as a Teaching Assistant for Intellectual Property and Artificial Intelligence Law, supporting instruction on algorithmic bias, AI ethics, and regulatory design.
Onyinye contributes to global discussions on technology regulation and digital rights and has presented at international conferences including the Law and Society Conference (Chicago, 2025) and the Cyber Threats to Canadian Democracy Conference (Canada, 2025). She is a Fellow Research Group Member at the Centre for AI and Digital Policy, Washington DC, and is committed to advancing equitable, forward-looking frameworks that balance innovation, accountability, and the protection of creators’ rights.
Pioneer Contributors
Pioneer Contributor
Ambur C. Smith, Esq.
Founder & Managing Attorney, Ambur C. Smith PLLC
Ambur C. Smith, Esq. is the Founder and Managing Attorney of the Law Office of Ambur C. Smith PLLC, a DC-based, virtual business and intellectual property law firm serving tech-enabled creatives, startups, and nonprofits across the sports, entertainment, fashion, tech, and wellness industries.
With over 13 years of experience in political organizing, strategic advocacy, and compliance, Ambur brings a uniquely powerful lens to her legal practice—guiding clients not just as an attorney, but as a seasoned strategist. She is a proud graduate of Hampton University and Georgetown University Law Center and is licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia.
Beyond her law practice, Ambur is deeply committed to shaping the next generation of legal changemakers as an adjunct law professor at the University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law.
Pioneer Contributor
Antonio Dupre
Technology Attorney, Technology-Innovation-Law, LLC
Antonio is a Texas-licensed attorney with a background in computer science, a love for emerging tech, and a deep interest in how law and innovation can work better together. He brings a builder's mindset to legal work: thoughtful, curious, and focused on practical outcomes.
Antonio's dual degrees in Computer Science and English Rhetoric taught him to speak both tech and human, which has served him well to bridge gaps between legal and technical teams. He is always up for connecting with others who care about privacy, digital ethics, IP strategy, or the future of legal tech.
Pioneer Contributor
Chinwe Ohanele
Founder & Managing Partner, Ohanele Law Firm
Chinwe Ohanele is an attorney, educator, and strategist working at the intersection of intellectual property, education, and entrepreneurship. She currently serves as Senior Program Manager at the Michelson Institute for Intellectual Property, leading national efforts to close the IP education gap.
Chinwe is also the founder of Ohanele Law Firm, a boutique practice providing flat-fee business and intellectual property services to small business owners and creative entrepreneurs. She is an adjunct professor at USC Gould School of Law and holds degrees from the University of the Pacific and Loyola Law School, Los Angeles.
Pioneer Contributor
Christopher "Chris" Bennett
Founder, T-I-L® & IPRights4All™
Chris Bennett is a social entrepreneur working at the intersection of technology, innovation, and law. He specializes in creating data-driven and sustainable business models to achieve a positive transformational vision that includes making intellectual property rights available to all interested creatives and entrepreneurs.
Through the T-I-L® brand, Chris has disrupted structural barriers to innovation by enhancing awareness, accessibility, affordability, and availability of intellectual property rights. The T-I-L® law firm represented and supported creatives in creating an estimated $43MM of financial value.
Chris recently launched IPRights4All™, an IP legal tech solution with artificial intelligence and blockchain capabilities, after graduating from the Smart City Works Actuator Program on 01/16/2025.
Pioneer Contributor
Nta Ekpiken Nkpang
Managing Partner, NECS Legal
Nta Ekpiken Nkpang is an Intellectual Property expert with over 10 years of experience in the field. Called to the Nigerian Bar in 2007, she holds a Master's Degree from Swansea University, Wales, United Kingdom and is an Alumni of the United States of America International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) on Protection of Intellectual Property Rights.
Nta is a Chartered Secretary with the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) United Kingdom and has a certificate in CopyrightX from the Berkman Klein Center of Harvard Law School. She has worked with notable firms including NIMASA, Ken Ahia & Associates, and Aluko & Oyebode.
Nta is passionate about career development and mentoring numerous young lawyers. She is a fellow of the Nigerian Leadership Initiative (NLI) and enjoys volunteering in capacity building projects.
Pioneer Contributor
Omoruyi "Uyilaw" Edoigiawerie
Lead Partner, Edoigiawerie and Company LP
Omoruyi Edoigiawerie, also known as "Uyilaw", is a leading Startup Attorney with 15+ years' experience in startup, tech and innovation law. He specializes in artificial intelligence, data protection, and corporate governance and is the Founder of Edoigiawerie & Company LP (EandC Legal), a full-service law firm with strong support for startups.
Omoruyi's expertise in tech and innovation law is borne out of a well-grounded startup background combined with deep understanding of contemporary technology and the startup landscape in Nigeria and the wider region. He routinely advises companies on commercial contracts, corporate governance, and complex technology agreements.
Pioneer Contributor
Rita Anwiri Chindah
Lecturer, Rivers State University
Rita Anwiri Chindah is a lecturer at Rivers State University and a leading voice in intellectual property law in Nigeria and Africa. She holds a Master's degree in Intellectual Property and Information Technology from the University of Derby, UK and is the host of the #IPSERIES podcast with over 138 episodes.
She was part of the team that drafted the Rivers State ICT Policy and served on Nigeria's Technical Working Group that drafted the Geographical Indication Law. Rita is the Chief Convener of the Intellectual Property Society of Nigeria (IPSN), organizing major IP awareness events including World IP Day.
Her recognitions include the 2025 IP Podcast Award, YLP Tech & Innovation in Law Award (2022), ESQ 40under40 Rising Star Award (2021), and WIPR Influential Women in IP Trailblazer (2020). She holds leadership roles with CIArb and the NBA.
Pioneer Contributor
Tobenna Erojikwe
Partner, The Law Crest LLP
Tobenna is a partner with The Law Crest LLP, a full service commercial law firm based in Lagos, Nigeria. He is admitted to practice law in Nigeria and as a solicitor in England & Wales, qualifying in 2000 and 2004 respectively. He holds an LLB from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and an LLM in corporate finance law from the University of Westminster.
In his over twenty years of legal practice, Tobenna has held notable positions including Senior Solicitor at London Borough of Barnet and Legal Adviser to various regeneration boards. He currently serves as the Chairman of Governing Board of the Nigerian Bar Association Institute of Continuing Legal Education (NBA-ICLE).
Tobenna sits on the board of several companies and was a member of the National Judicial Council between 2022 and 2024. He was also a member of the National Executive Committee of the NBA for 6 years.
Pioneer Contributor
Tolu Olaloye
Partner, Jackson, Etti & Edu
Tolu is a highly experienced professional with over 14 years of experience in legal practice, particularly in intellectual property law, regulatory matters, policy, and taxation. She has developed deep expertise in managing and protecting IP portfolios across the African, ASEAN, and Middle Eastern regions.
Tolu has in-depth knowledge of over 40 jurisdictions in Africa and has established herself as a trusted advisor in IP dispute resolution, brand protection, policy issues, regulatory matters, and enforcement. Her ability to navigate complex legal and regulatory IP landscapes has made her an invaluable asset to her clients.
Having been ranked by IP Stars as a top IP expert, Tolu Olaloye continues to make significant contributions to the IP field, offering clients strategic legal solutions, industry insights, and a global perspective on IP management.