At OC Patent Lawyer, we serve clients throughout Orange County and Los Angeles County, California from our office in Irvine, California. We found most patent attorneys work for a private company. I say its largely an excuse, because there are people who do exist, she said. Theres a direct correlation between the racial wealth gap and IP ownership, said Nina Archie, diversity and tech policy adviser at The Commercializer. Well continue lifting as we rise. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas. The most common ethnicity of patent attorneys is White (75.3%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (7.9%), Asian (6.5%) and Black or African American (5.7%). CAN I USE MY TRADEMARK ON PROMOTIONAL ITEMS? Past results do not guarantee future results. He made me the leader of the Silicon Valley office. Theres a willingness to discuss the root causes of discrimination, not just the symptoms. Gills, however, was prepared for whatever curveball he could throw at me, and the GC decided to hire her on. District of Columbia is the best state for patent attorneys to live. The average age of an employed patent attorney is 46 years old. The professional industry is the highest-paying for patent attorneys. He believes that, with the pandemic as a backdrop, the message is getting through that we are all one community that must watch out for each other and take active steps to keep each other safe, Turner said. He said he wouldnt be where he is today without having had the opportunity to pitch them. A law firm with a large IP department that includes paralegals and patent agents can ensure that those ranks are diverse. Recognizing innovation in the legal technology sector for working on precedent-setting, game-changing projects and initiatives. The same goes for the privilege and willingness to take advantage of systemic racism that we all witnessed in the recent video from Central Park, he said, referring to a viral video of Amy Cooper calling the cops on Christian Cooper, a black man who asked that she leash her dog. The PTO created a council, which will meet for the first time this year, to develop a plan to promote the participation of underrepresented groups in the patent system. Born as Marguerite Johnson on April 4, 1928, Maya Angelou was a renowned poet, educator, and civil rights activist who moved to the Bay Area at the age of 14. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements. Terms of Service. Shreveport Uzezi Abugo Uzezi Abugo, Attorney at Law Michael Acquah Hueston Hennigan LLP Los Angeles Michael Adams DeCuir, Clark & Adams, LLP Like most of America, Kirkland & Ellis partner Ellisen Turner has followed the horrific killings of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd. The systemic challenges were driven home for Turner at a bar event some months ago. We created this chart to show you the average size of companies that typically hire patent attorneys. Thomas L. Jennings (1791-1859), for example, learned tailoring and dry cleaning and carried on that business in New York City, where in 1821, at the age of 30, he received a patent for an improvement in dry cleaning processes perhaps the first black person in this country to have received one . Black IP Lawyers Who've Made It Look to Grow Ranks Beyond 1.7% Bloomberg Law August 6, 2020 "The rarity of being a Black intellectual property lawyer in the United States hits home for the 1.7% of attorneys who fit that description." Read the article 497,747 in 1893 for an improvement on Broom Moisteners and Bridles. The rights to the invention were assigned at issue to Miriam, and she signed the document as the patent attorney (you can view her signature at the bottom of the linked patent drawing). The patent is one of the so-called "X-patents," a group of 10,000 or so patents issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office between its creation in 1790 and 1836, when a fire began in . Hes supported me. 337-TA-1140) (ITC patent trial on automotive technology), TAS v. Cummins (jury trial on a license covering engine technology), and DeKalb v. Pioneer (jury trial on patents covering genetically engineered corn). Well strive to move the needle on diversity and inclusion efforts across the legal industry. Women, Influence & Power in Law UK Awards honors women lawyers who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession. That may have a dampening effect on Black people seeking intellectual property rights. Turners comments resonate with several lawyers on his list, who described the internal and external challenges of building a successful practice. On what other basis would you think that I couldnt possibly be [on the committee] other than my skin color or gender? she said. Jamaal was selected by judges, bar groups and fellow attorneys for his work, leadership and community service. Metrics And Measurements for Law Departments (, How to Litigate in the Digital Decade (Defendants' Patent Counsel (doing damages expert cross-exam and closing argument) in Mock Trial Plenary Session involving patent and trademark infringement; AIPLA Mid -Winter Institute, 1/04), Bank One: Law Firm Diversity Symposium (Panelist, 12/03), A Woman and Minority Perspective on Client Development (CBA, 9/03), IP Litigation and Opinions Using Litigation Knowledge to Advance Career Success (NBA Annual Convention, 8/03). Even before she became the famous author we know today, she was already making history: At just 16 years old, she became the first black female streetcar conductor in San . Jeanne has been selected by her peers for inclusion inThe Best Lawyers in America in the fields of Food & Beverage Law (2015-2023) and Litigation Intellectual Property (2017-2023) given her representation of many food/beverage and consumer products companies and work on IP matters; IAM Patent 1000 The Worlds Leading Patent Practitioners (since 2012); Benchmark Litigations Local Litigation Star (2018); Benchmark Litigations Top 250 Women in Litigation (2017); Managing IPs Top 250 Women in IP (2013) & IP Stars (since 2013); The Legal 500 US (Patent/Trade Secret Litigation, 2007, 2010; Patent Transactional, 2014-2015); Leading Lawyers (Patent Law, 2012-2013); LawDragon 3000 for IP (2011); Leadership Excellence in the Law Award (National Diversity Council, 2014); the countrys "Top Minority IP Partners" by AIPLA & MCCA (2003); the Nations Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40 Award by NBA & IMPACT (2010); the less than 5% of Illinois attorneys selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers (2005-2006, 20082018); the notable lawyers in Whos Who in Black Chicago (1st/3rd eds); and by Crains Chicago Business (2017) inaugural list of "Chicagos Most Influential Minority Lawyers." Jeanne is admitted to practice in Illinois, the Federal Circuit, the Seventh Circuit, and various federal district courts, in addition to the United States Patent & Trademark Office. Contact Us| This chart breaks down the ages of patent attorney employees. Black STEM students are more likely to switch majors or leave college than Whites, researchers from the University of Texas and Florida International University found recently. Jeanne also serves as vice chair of the firms national Intellectual Property Department focusing on Strategic Marketing & Business Development, and she previously served as vice chair of the Intellectual Property Litigation Practice. Clothes Line Support December 12, 1895 551,105 . One change he hopes to see in the IP bar is more opportunities for black lawyers to prove themselves in the courtroom. LexisNexis and Bloomberg Law customers are able to access and use ALM's content, including content from the National Law Journal, The American Lawyer, Legaltech News, The New York Law Journal, and Corporate Counsel, as well as other sources of legal information. Glencoe, IL 60022, Call: 847-409-8670 Her first patent, dated July 17, 1888, was for gong and signal chairs to be used in dining-rooms, in hotels, restaurants, steamboats, railroad-trains, theaters, the hall of the Congress of the United States, the halls of the legislatures of the various States, for the use of all deliberative bodies, and for the use of invalids in hospitals. She effectively used the media, and her improvement was widely publicized by newspaper articles and features in womens magazines. With nearly 450 attorneys in 13 offices nationwide, we take pride in our collaborative approach, our lasting relationships and our unique perspectives. The technical knowledge of handling a trial, and the marketability of that knowledgethat could never be taken from me. Well also continue to have events that arm us with the tools we need to thrive professionally. Patents & Trademarks. However, an overlooked and unique contribution is that she was the first black woman who practiced as a patent attorney. A U.S. Patent and Trademark Office council will begin tackling a huge challenge this year: boosting the percentage of patent owners who are Blacka figure that hovers in the single digits by some estimates. Not a Bloomberg Law Subscriber?Subscribe Now. She is a member of the firms Management Committee and the Manufacturing Sector Advisory Board. Another study, from Michigan State University researchers, found that from 1976 to 2008, African American inventors were awarded six patents per 1 million people, compared to 235 patents per 1 million for all U.S. inventors. But overall, the tech industry is uneven when it comes to openness to minority lawyers. P.C. Women and minority patent practitioners make up only a small percentage of the patent profession. We see strings of them every year, well beyond the subset captured on video.. I could see the beads of sweat on his forehead, because he was probably like, Oh my God, Gills said, Is my GC going to think she is fabulous?. Surfing Trademark Issues on the Web (F&L White Paper, 9/06; Crafting an Effective Patent Invalidity OpinionIs it the Last Bastion of Defense? (PLI, 2003-2006; Being and Finding Good Mentors (BWLA, 3/06), Trade Secret Protection in the 21st Century (F&L Litigation Conference, 12/05), The Dilution DilemmaLitigating Dilution Claims and the Trademark Dilution Revision Act of 2005 (ABA/Navigant Consulting IP Roundtable, 12/05), IP Roundtable on Key Patent Appellate Cases, including, Digital, Wireless & New Media TechnologiesIs Your IP Future in the Right Hands? (Chair/Founder, F&L 1st Annual IP Conference, 9/05), "Discovery Issues in Patent Litigation (PLI, 9/05), Internet-Related Trademark Litigation Issues & Trends (INTA, 5/05), New Insights into IP Law in ChinaPresenter on Trade Secret Protection (F&L Corporate Counsel Seminar, 3/05), Preparing to Initiate or Defend a Patent Lawsuit (ABA, 10/04), IP Litigation: Avoiding the Money Pit (, How Do You Measure Up? The industry-leading media platform offering competitive intelligence to prepare for today and anticipate opportunities for future success. Turner, whose practice covers intellectual property litigation and strategy, is encouraged that a national and international conversation is springing up around systemic racism faced by African Americans. At Stinson, our attorneys combine industry knowledge and business acumen to deliver practical legal guidance to clients ranging from individuals to privately-held enterprises to international corporations. Miriams brother Lyde Wilson Benjamin (18651916) received U.S. patent no. Jeanne acts as lead trial counsel in complex patent, trade secret, trademark, copyright, and unfair competition litigation and appeals including USPTO post-grant proceedings in diverse industries ranging from electronics to biotechnology. So hes imploring in-house counsel not to turn to the same old network every time a new matter comes in. Ultimately, there might be valid reasons for choosing another lawyer. Join The Recorder now! Raychelle Tasher Company: U.S.. These are not the inventors that were growing up learning about, said Griffin, who testified to Congress about patent diversity this year. And firms must provide mentors and advocates for young attorneys. The paper in question is Violence and economic activity: evidence from African American patents, 1870-1940, . You could start there, she said. https://www.law.com/therecorder/2020/06/12/take-that-on-black-patent-attorneys-say-its-time-they-are-recognized/. In particular, say Black lawyers who have broken through, people are surprised they can speak the language of patent law and that many of them have attained scientific and technical knowledge. Theres a lack of visibility -- I wouldnt say I didnt know it existed, but it never occurred to me, as a career. As a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University, Gaby Longsworth remembers putting a batch of clean pipettes to dry in a laboratory oven in a hallway across from a propped-open bathroom door. As you can see, patent examiner and patent attorney have the biggest difference in gender. With her electronics background and given her attorney registration to practice before the USPTO, Jeannes broad-based IP experience also includes: counseling related to product configuration trade dress and use of color as a trademark; handling TTAB and UDRP matters; resolving copyright ownership disputes, particularly in the areas of computer software and associated documentation; handling contractual disputes concerning IP rights and the theft or use of IP by a companys former employees, business partners and/or independent contractors; counseling clients on IP holding companies, including how to maximize value from an IP portfolio when certain assets are likely to be the subject of IP litigation; handling cases involving the intersection of trade dress, design patent, and utility patent protection for consumer and industrial products; and conducting discovery abroad throughout Europe, Singapore and Japan. Were still being judged, feared, devalued because of our race. Like most of America, Kirkland & Ellis partner Ellisen Turner has followed the horrific killings of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd. I had the privilege of being a part of a trial team in my first year where Mr. Johnson was the first-chair trial lawyer for a co-defendant, Drayton said. Claims that black inventors filed patents under the names of white attorneys seem absurd: under U.S. patent laws, any such patents would be invalid, as even the most incompetent lawyer would know; and there was no reason at all to do so, since all applications were submitted in writing and it was impossible for anyone at the patent office to identify the inventors race. Lawyers and other IP professionals also have a responsibility to help diverse entrepreneurs and inventors, said Deborah Lodge, a partner at Squire Patton Boggs who has participated in New Voices Foundation educational programs about IP protection. Black or african american patent attorneys have the lowest average salary at $82,666. She too has heard general counsel or IP counsel say they dont know any qualified black patent attorneys. Duane Morris energy attorneys assist clients with advisory, regulatory, litigation, transactional and legislative matters involving environmental, energy and natural resources issues. He tested me, and I know I was judged and questioned in a way, if I were a white man, I would not have been, she said. After extensive research and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that: 20.7% of patent attorneys are women and 79.3% of patent attorneys are men. According to a recent article in Bloomberg Law, black intellectual property attorneys, in general, make up only 1.7% of all IP attorneys, based on a survey by the American Intellectual Property Law Association. People are often surprised when they learn that I practice patent litigation, said Ellisen Turner, IP practice group partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Thats why the change in the conversation over the last two weeks has been so significant, he said. *The Illinois Supreme Court does not recognize certifications of specialties in the practice of law and no award or recognition is a requirement to practice law in Illinois. We determined the average age of patent attorneys based on ethnicity and gender. Before 1900, Cook finds patenting rates were lower for Black inventors than white inventors, but followed similar patterns increasing during economic booms, decreasing during downturns. The National Black Lawyers was created to celebrate legal excellence by promoting our attorneys as subject-matter experts, developing a strong national network of top African American attorneys, and facilitating the exchange of timely information to enable our members to maintain their status as leaders. Sarah E. Goode is thought to be one of the first Black women to receive a patent, in 1885, for inventing a folding bed that could be made into a desk when not in use. US Supreme Court Rules That Patentee Maintains Burden of Proving Infringement in Actions Brought by Licensee, (Article, Board Oversight of IP Strategy (F&L National Directors Institute, 11/13), How Bad Is It, Counselor?What Do You Mean, I Don't Know?! Loeb & Loeb LLP Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP Norton Rose Fulbright LLP Sidley Austin LLP, As the 2019-2020 bar year comes to an end and we begin planning for 2020-2021, weve been reflecting deeply on how we can best serve you as we, 2020 Association of Black Women Attorneys New York, ABWA's Pressing Forward - Let's All Get Involved, ABWA's 2020 Ruth Whitehead Whaley Scholarship Celebration. Their president, Jefferson Davis, had unsuccessfully tried before to get a U.S. patent on a propeller invented by a man, Benjamin Montgomery, enslaved by his brother, according to research from University of Kentucky law professor Brian Frye. And yet we still have to prove ourselves, she said. Miriam Benjamin later worked in Edgars prosperous general law practice, and the 1920 census lists her occupation as a patent attorney. For instance, most patent attorneys prefer to work at private companies over public companies. Miriam E. Benjamin was born in South Carolina to a well-off family with a wide and influential social circle, and developed into an ambitious, confident and persistent young woman. That practice, in and of itself, said this process is not for you, said Shontavia Johnson, an attorney and entrepreneur who also serves as associate vice president for entrepreneurship and innovation at Clemson University. Most historians agree that Thomas L. Jennings is the first African American patent holder in the United States. That some lawyers have scientific backgrounds and use them was not on my radar, she said. Youre not looking hard enough., To contact the reporter on this story: Ian Lopez in Washington at ilopez@bloombergindustry.com, To contact the editors responsible for this story: Bernard Kohn at bkohn@bloombergindustry.com; Keith Perine at kperine@bloombergindustry.com, Learn more about a Bloomberg Law subscription, Left to right: Gaby Longsworth, Sterne Kessler; Azuka Dike, Banner Witcoff; Jeanne Gills, Foley & Lardner, Jonathan Hurtarte/Bloomberg Industry Group. I am now cautiously hopeful that the terrible tragedies of 2020 will bring about real and lasting change., REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE JUNE 12, 2020 EDITION OF AMERICAN LAWYER MEDIA 2020 PORTFOLIO MEDIA INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. We see strings of them every year, well beyond the subset captured on video.. 1. 7.9% of Patent Attorneys are Hispanic or Latino, 6.5% of Patent Attorneys are Asian, 5.7% of Patent Attorneys are Black or African American, 4.4% of Patent Attorneys are Unknown, and 0.2% of Patent Attorneys are American Indian and Alaska Native. A white male professor came rushing down the hall. We use cookies on our website to improve functionality and performance, analyze website traffic and enable social media features. Defend Trade Secrets Act: The Latest in Trade Secrets Developments, Presentation: WhatsReasonable? Email: info@allgaierpatentsolutions.com, Reviving an abandoned trademark application, THE ROLE LICENSES PLAY IN INCREASING BUSINESS REVENUE. Boston, MA pays an annual average wage of $119,512, the highest in the US. Some law firms are looking to increase the pipeline by going beyond recruiting from top law schools. Patent records therefore provide invaluable objective information that shed light on the actual rather than invented experiences of underrepresented groups. When I introduce myself at conferences or events and give my elevator pitch, the surprise is often palpable.. Jeanne has authored (and regularly updates) a chapter on Experts for the Patent Litigation Strategies Handbook (BNA Books). It doesnt have to be saidthough its better if it is saidyoure part of the team. When it comes to protecting your intellectual property, patents and trademarks are essential. However, the two patent applications for her brothers inventions offer direct proof of her standing as a patent practitioner, including her actual signature. The patent application process was quite transparent, and many patentees completed it on their own account, later setting up businesses as intermediaries for others who preferred to delegate these bureaucratic tasks. We provide excellence in legal services and are proud to be one of the most powerful networks in the industry. ABWA is partnering with the Dominican Bar Association to host a series of police reform webinars, which will update our members on the steps that are being taken to ensure more just policing practices. in biology, again from Texas Southern University. That lack of a pipeline of Black attorneys in this practice area certainly hurts.. From a broader historical perspective, she was not the first black inventor (Thomas Jennings obtained a patent in 1821), nor the first black woman patentee (Judy W. Reed, in 1884, was prior). Theyve never really seen it, its not something theyre aware of.. The National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF), founded in 2001, is a nonprofit trade association comprised of minority and women owned law firms and other interested parties throughout the United States. But that in itself wasnt enough. The underrepresentation of Black inventors, and documented disparities in numbers of women and Hispanic inventors, was acknowledged in a patent office report to Congress last fall. By looking over 961 patent attorneys resumes, we figured out that the average patent attorney enjoys staying at their job for 1-2 years for a percentage of 32%. Lisa Ascolese, known as "The Inventress," has received multiple patents and founded the Association for Women Inventors and Entrepreneurs. Im on the executive committee of the firm. The greater horror is that they were nothing new, he said. Seeing a cleaning cart behind Longsworth, he asked, Are you finished cleaning the bathroom?. Atlanta patent lawyer J.T. Supreme Court Relaxes Exceptional Case Standard in Pair of Fee-Shifting Patent Cases (Article, Apple v. Samsung: Implications for Patent Infringement Cases, Injunctions and Sales Ban (dri IP Seminar, 5/14). Emerging technologies your clients are talking about (ACC Seminar, 3/15), Hot Topics in IP and Advertising/Promotions (Client CLE, 2/15), Patent Litigation: Jury Considerations (Practical Law Webinar, 1/15), Strategies for Winning NPE Litigation (Client CLE, 11/14), IPx: Evolution to Revolution (Chair, F&L 10th Annual IP Conference, 9/14), Right-sizing the Approach in Defending Against NPE Claims (MIP International Womens Leadership Forum, 6/14). Getting The Talent Balance Right: From Layoffs to Laterals to Mergers, How Can Firms Staff for Success? Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Among the roughly 8% of students in ABA accredited law schools who are Black, many are first generation law students, and may not have strong insight regarding the structure of law school, Dike said. By looking through more than 961 resumes, we found that the most popular places for patent attorneys are Washington, DC and Chicago, IL. Access to additional free ALM publications, 1 free article* across the ALM subscription network every 30 days, Exclusive discounts on ALM events and publications. The bills were referred to their respective committees but have seen no further action. Phillips & Associates Attorneys at Law, PLLC The initiative's progress, as well as that of IPReg, the regulator for patent and trademark attorneys in the UK, has been documented previously. LexisNexis and Bloomberg Law are third party online distributors of the broad collection of current and archived versions of ALM's legal news publications. In the late 19th century, it was improved upon by Sarah Boone, an African American woman who was born enslaved. For more information, please see our Cookie Policy. 475,749 for a bicycle clip in 1892, two years before he graduated from Boston University School of Law. The greater horror is that they were nothing new, he said. Working on major trials, especially in a leadership role, opens the doors to more opportunities. Were kicking up our social justice and civil rights initiatives. Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. The person may go to law school and, in some instances, the firm covers the cost. from the John Marshall Law School. This is especially true in terms of Black bar associations. No one brought up the possibility, said Sheppard, who was previously a director of the PTOs midwest regional office. Customer Service| She would similarly provoke efforts on her own behalf for over a decade in the House and Senate, claiming $20,000 (about $300,000 in current dollars) in workers compensation for injuries (including a strained heart and distress caused by noisy surroundings and overwork) she allegedly sustained while working as a clerk at the Government Printing Office in 1910. When clients and law firm rainmakers invest in and bet on black IP attorneys, good things tend to happen, Drayton said. in biology from Texas Southern University in 1994, Ms. Allgaier went on to graduate in 1996 summa cum laude with an M.S. Do I care? The cost of getting a patent, which can run into the thousands of dollars, and a lack of early exposure to the patent system present barriers to already marginalized communities. The figures are particularly damning for African American lawyers. Jennings invented a way to dry-clean clothes in 1821. Which State Has The Most Patent Attorneys? Early in his career, Kilpatrick Stockton & Townsend partner Mitchell Stockwell put Waldrop on a trial team in an important case. Asian patent attorneys have the highest average salary compared to other ethnicities.