[FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE]

Licensing Executives Society (USA & Canada), Inc. (LES) Announces 2025 Frank Barnes Mentor Award Recipient

ROBIC’s Bergeron to receive award for IP mentorship and professionalism

BOSTON, MA – October 21, 2025 — The Licensing Executives Society (USA & Canada), Inc. (LES) has named Vincent Bergeron as the recipient of the 2025 Frank Barnes Award. The Frank Barnes Award was established in 2000 by a group of LES members to memorialize Frank Barnes’ vast contributions to the field of licensing through mentorship.

Vincent Bergeron is a Principal, Intellectual Property and Technology Lawyer at ROBIC in Quebec, Canada, where he focuses on IP, technology, and innovation.  A longtime LES and LESI leader, he has served as a member of the LES Board, for more than 13 years on the membership, marketing, and YMC committees, in addition to his work with LES International as the Chair of the Young Members Congress committee and member of the communications and awards committees.

Vince has helped strengthen global networks and membership engagement at LES through his work with past president, Ann Cannoni. Bergeron is known for his steady, strategic leadership and recognized for fostering collaboration, supporting emerging professionals, and advancing the practice of IP and licensing worldwide.

Mr. Bergeron was named Lawyer of the Year in Intellectual Property Law by Best Lawyers in Canada 2025.

“It is a privilege to honor Vincent with the 2025 Frank Barnes Award,” said Evelyn Chen, President of LES. “Vincent exemplifies the spirit of collaboration, mentorship and leadership that this award represents. His contributions have strengthened the LES community and advanced the practice of licensing across industries.”

Each year at the LES Annual meeting, an award is presented to an LES member, who, like Mr. Barnes, has dedicated considerable time and energy to mentoring fellow licensing professionals.

Sponsored by the LES Foundation, the award honors Frank Barnes, Corporate Vice President for Abbott Laboratories, who passed away in June 2000 after a long fight with cancer. Frank’s contributions to Abbott through his in-licensing prowess are legendary, earning the company billions of dollars annually. An early supporter of LES (USA & Canada), Frank Barnes mentored dozens of licensing executives who continue to make important contributions throughout the pharmaceutical industry.

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About Licensing Executives Society (USA & Canada), Inc. (LES):

Established in 1965, LES (USA & Canada) is one of the longest running professional societies supporting the development of members engaged in the creation, commercial development, and orderly transfer of intellectual property. LES members include business executives, lawyers, accountants, consultants, and scientists and engineers; who represent innovation-oriented enterprises of all sizes, professional services firms, universities, and government labs. LES is the largest of 43 global member societies of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI). For more information about LES, visit www.lesusacanada.org.

Media Contact:

communications@les.org

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