The local business community is busy looking back on the past year and forecasting for 2012. Changes to court rules, the future for the venture world, economic trends and construction law updates fill this week’s agenda, along with a speed pitching seminar at the San Diego Press Club and the Pan Asian Lawyers of San Diego's 34th Annual Dinner and Installation of Officers.

The America Invents Act -- the most significant change to U.S. patent law in decades -- has one "vast flaw" that jeopardizes its success, according to the head of the court that handles appeals in patent cases.

Karen Hewitt has been appointed partner-in-charge of the San Diego office of Jones Day, the law firm announced Monday.

Gordon & Rees partner Jeffrey D. Cawdrey has been named president of the San Diego Law Library Board of Trustees for one year.

The preservation group Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO) recently won a legal ruling it in its effort to stop the city from building a parking garage and adding a bypass bridge at Balboa Park.