10/14/2026
AIPLA is pleased to spotlight Jonathan Osha in the October Quarterly Policy Memo. A founding partner of Osha Bergman Watanabe & Burton LLP, John has more than 35 years of IP law experience, with a focus on international IP portfolios and emerging issues in AI. An active AIPLA leader, he currently chairs the AI Task Force and Harmonization Committee. Beyond his legal work, he founded Compudopt.org, a nonprofit providing computers and STEM education to underserved youth, and recently retired after 40 years of volunteer service as a firefighter and first responder.
Get to know John below:
❓ What do you like doing outside of work?
💡I am a life-long amateur musician and love making music with friends. I play guitar, banjo, mandolin and keyboards and enjoy a wide variety of genres. I also enjoy restoring antique cars and working HF on amateur radio (N7EG).
❓What is your favorite part about being an AIPLA member?
💡For me it’s all about the community. I’ve been an AIPLA member since 1989 and over that time I’ve met many, many good friends and have learned an enormous amount from them. The opportunity to exchange ideas, learn, and socialize is wonderful and quite unique.
❓ Why did you choose to become an IP practitioner?
💡The mixture of technology exposure, writing, and critical analysis is what drew me to the practice. Almost every day I get to work on some new product or process and that keeps me constantly challenged and learning. I also love the international aspect of the practice that allows me to travel and to meet interesting people all over the world.
❓What advice would you give to younger members/new practitioners?
💡My advice is to get involved! It is, of course, great to come to the meetings and attend the panel sessions. But I think you are really missing out if you don’t join and be active in at least one committee. It’s a great way to learn and to build important relationships that will serve you well later in life. In general, in these times of remote work and generative AI, I recommend younger/newer practitioners take every possible opportunity to interact with and learn from the older practitioners (like me). Most of us are delighted to help a newer practitioner and enjoy hearing new thoughts and perspectives. However, this no longer happens organically around the water cooler. You need to find these opportunities and capitalize on them. AIPLA membership is a great way to do that.
