So youre starting from a limited population to begin with, said Azuka Dike, a patent attorney at Banner Witcoff who is a liaison to the American Bar Associations Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession. This is especially true in terms of Black bar associations. Drayton suggests that Milbank partner Errol Taylor, Perkins Coie partner Dennis Hopkins and Latham & Watkins partner Tara Elliott also would be included on any list of accomplished black patent attorneys. 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." A law firm with a large IP department that includes paralegals and patent agents can ensure that those ranks are diverse. Clients, attorneys say, are among the greatest gatekeepers for helping Black lawyers excel. Jamaalfrequently lectures on intellectual property law to attorneys and other professionals. Both options are priced the same. Watch All Parts of ABWA's 2020 Ruth Whitehead Whaley Celebration here !!! Firm chairman Marc Kasowitz has provided Waldrop with that connection. 1920 census listing Benjamin as a patent attorney. Companies are coming out with statements they probably never would have thought theyd make 30 days ago, saying Black Lives Matter, Drayton said. Her second invention was a sole for footwear that was patented in 1917 in the United States and in Canada. When clients and law firm rainmakers invest in and bet on black IP attorneys, good things tend to happen, Drayton said. Yes, Patent Attorney jobs are male - dominated. The racial divide persists for many reasons that dont lend themselves to simple fixes. While they continue to make big strides and literally raise the bar across all practice areas of law, here are 10 black female attorneys you should know. Criminal Appeal Lawyers In Georgia | Find Georgia Appeal Attorneys Researchers say the underrepresentation means the U.S. is missing out on significant inventions, with fewer perspectives and ideas in the pipeline. Copyright 2023 ALM Global, LLC. When combined with the census entry, these documented sources confirm the validity of the statement that Miriam E. Benjamin was the first black woman to practice as a patent attorney.. Most of what we know about African American inventors came from the research of Henry E. Baker. Dr. Black has served a variety of clients ranging from multinational corporations to small start-up companies and individual inventors. Tailoring was a relatively easy craft for African-Americans to enter, whether male or female. 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. Avoiding Litigation Pitfalls through Effective Patent Prosecution (Article, Getting Off To A Good Start Drafting A Patent Application to Survive Prosecution and Litigation (AIPLA Annual Meeting, 2002), An IP Litigation Perspective on Licensing (PLI, 2001), Contributor to the IPLAC Litigation Committees Federal Circuit (2001 and 2002) Review of. Boosting Your IP Fitness for the Next Business Cycle (Chair, F&L 12th Annual IP Conference, 9/16), Women of Color and Diversity and Inclusion at Firms and in Corporations: Working Group to Develop Solutions for 2017 (CCWC, 9/16), In-House Counsel Panel: Is the Billable Hour Dead? (NBA Annual Conference, 7/16), The Ins and Outs of Equity Partnership (The Chicago Committee, 7/16), Whats Reasonable? American History. 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? Comprised of a select group of lawyers chosen by Mr. Cochran himself to carry out his legacy, The Cochran Firm provides high-quality, effective representation for ordinary citizens . And African Americans made a lot of gains, holding office, owning property and filing patents at about the same pace as white inventors until 1900 following Plessy v. Ferguson, the Supreme Court. All of us should feel terrible about black women making up less than 1% of the equity partners in law firms, Gills said. Asian patent attorneys have the highest average salary compared to other ethnicities. Just based on the number of employees within each industry, we were able to determine the most common industries that employ patent attorneys. For Black Inventors, Road to Owning Patents Paved With Barriers Gills Quoted in The Recorder About Systemic Racism Facing Black Patent 1928-2014. License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand. Like most of America, Kirkland & Ellis partner Ellisen Turner has followed the horrific killings of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd. Atlanta Patent Lawyer | Georgia Attorney | Law Firm Fayetteville In the late 19th century, it was improved upon by Sarah Boone, an African American woman who was born enslaved. She was similarly the attorney of record, when her younger brother, Edgar P. Benjamin (18691972), received U.S. patent no. Call our Georgia Criminal Appeals Lawyers today at 1- (770) 284-3147 to schedule your free initial consultation so our attorneys can review your case. Recognized as a top patent lawyer and author of Navigating the Patent . This chart breaks down the ages of patent attorney employees. And they all agree theres no good reason black patent attorneys shouldnt be on general counsels or IP counsels pitch lists. P.C. Glencoe, IL 60022, Call: 847-409-8670 However, an overlooked and unique contribution is that she was the first black woman who practiced as a patent attorney. 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. Stinson Patent Attorneys Assist Client with Acoustically Transparent Face Mask, Stinson Partner Jamaal Jordan Recognized as Up & Coming Attorney by, beyond the medical device field representing clients in a variety of industries, including power management and building construction. Woods developed the railroad telegraph; Julian figured out how to synthesize different hormones, including cortisone. We found most patent attorneys work for a private company. Thomas Jennings, born in 1791, is believed to have been the first African American inventor to receive a patent for an invention. How many patents by African Americans were there in the "golden age of There are a number of talented African American attorneys, men and women, who for years now have represented clients, said Pierce, the former chair of the IP section of the National Bar Association, the largest national network of predominantly Black attorneys and judges. 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 . Join The Recorder now! To fix this, you can: 1. One change he hopes to see in the IP bar is more opportunities for black lawyers to prove themselves in the courtroom. The industry-leading media platform offering competitive intelligence to prepare for today and anticipate opportunities for future success. She too has heard general counsel or IP counsel say they dont know any qualified black patent attorneys. That may have a dampening effect on Black people seeking intellectual property rights. Organizations like the National Bar Association, the largest national network of predominantly African American attorneys and judges, or the Chicago Black Partners Alliance can provide lists. Segregation laws also made it harder for Blacks to patent their inventions. Patent attorneys team up with SLU professor in development and patenting of mask made specifically for singers and others whose voice is the foundation of their livelihood. The ramifications go beyond individual inventors. Patents & Trademarks. I do hope that it is a catalyst for real change. For instance, most patent attorneys prefer to work at private companies over public companies. Like Turner, Drayton believes that the COVID-19 pandemic has eliminated many of the distractions of day-to-day life, creating something of a captive audience for the injustices that have been unfurling in Minneapolis and elsewhere. 10 Sure-Fire Ways to Ignite Your Passion and Career! (CCWC, 9/17), Current and Emerging Issues Related to Patents (Client CLE, 3/17), Get Ready Now! About Us - Stinson Jamaal's enthusiasm for intellectual property law and the underlying science of medical device technologies is matched by his strong knowledge and mastery of the challenging patent process. A registered patent attorney, he uses his background in biomedical engineering to prosecute even the most challenging patent applications for medical device technologies. Patent Attorney Demographics and Statistics In The US - Zippia The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements. 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. ? Evaluating Your Litigation Exposure (ACC Annual Conference, 10/13), IP Issues at the FrontlineOffensive & Defensive Strategies That Win the Game (Chair, F&L 9th Annual IP Conference, 10/13), User Driven IP 4.0: High Stakes. Maybe some of those individuals will then go to law schools and become lawyers. 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. Los Angeles Uzodima Frank Aba-Onu Optum Eden Prairie Aji Abiedu Freedom Forever Temecula Chauna Abner McGuireWoods LLP - Baltimore Baltimore Reginald Abrams, Sr. Law Office of Reginald W. Abrams, Sr., L.L.C. Years ago, she said, a Black deputy general counsel at a Fortune 500 company got Gills a meeting with the outfits White general counsel. Recognizing innovation in the legal technology sector for working on precedent-setting, game-changing projects and initiatives. He knows my wife. Our Membership Committee is actively working to bring back our members-only Mentorship Program, which will help members step outside of their comfort zones, astutely navigate the corporate landscape, and otherwise grow personally and professionally. Government has tried to take some steps, but progress has been slow. This will further equip us to play a pivotal role in driving meaningful changes and ensuring that our voices are heard. 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. Call the Hollin Law Offices in Georgia today at 770-872-4703, or contact us online. Every case is different and must be judged on its own merits. Assistant District Attorney Responsibilities, Assistant State Attorney Responsibilities, Document Review Attorney Responsibilities, 20.7% of all patent attorneys are women, while, The average age of an employed patent attorney is. There are relatively simple steps that firms can take too. Gills, however, was prepared for whatever curveball he could throw at me, and the GC decided to hire her on. Patent attorneys are most in-demand in Los Angeles, CA. Jennings invented a way to dry-clean clothes in 1821. Henry E. Baker, a black patent examiner who was appointed in 1876, underlined that the patent system was colorblind; and neither the laws nor the administration excluded or differentiated on the basis of personal characteristics. Her trial experience includes bet the company cases with several hundreds of millions at stake, e.g., In re Certain Multi-Stage Fuel Vapor Canister Systems and Activated Carbon Components Thereof (Inv. Her listing in the 1920 census as a patent attorney is certainly notable, but the census takers simply recorded what householders told them. Thats hugely important to me, he said. I have seen, in my career, people who presume from the outset that I could not be handed much responsibility, because they didnt think I belonged in the responsibility-carrying club, Smith said. Her litigation experience has dovetailed into counseling clients on global IP strategy, including work on the division of patent/technology assets for Kraft Foods 2012 split (into Kraft Foods and Mondelz) and leading the IP side of M&A transactions, such as work on potential $4 billion acquisition in power technology space and recent $1.2 billion deal involving the creation on behalf of power technology companies two JV entities (one in the U.S. and one in Switzerland). But if they dont open the pool to see whats out there, they dont know what theyre missing., Turner notes that the underrepresentation of black attorneys is far from a new issue. The invention was highlighted at the Atlanta Exposition of 1895. They benefit from a diversity of experiences in connection with among other things, witness preparation, formulating a trial story and approaches in relating to jurors. Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Fax: 847-626-9610 Gills, who practices IP litigation and counsels clients on global IP strategy, benefited early in her career from working with pioneering attorney Sharon Barner, whos now the general counsel of Cummins Corp. I also had white male partners who mentored and advocated for me, she said. Jeanne M. Gills is a partner and intellectual property lawyer with Foley & Lardner LLP. Women and minority patent practitioners make up only a small percentage of the patent profession. Top 10 Black Female Attorneys You Should Know - Black Enterprise High Rewards (Chair, F&L 8th Annual IP Conference, 10/12), Hot Topics in IP (in light of Apple v. Samsung & AIA) (BWLA Presentation, 10/12), IP Law Update (covering recent Trade Dress/Patent Decisions & AIA) (Client CLE, 9/12), An Overview of US Patent Reform (The America Invents Act) (Client CLE, 11/11), Patent Wars: The Game Show-Prosecutors vs. Litigators and author In Drafting A Joint Development Agreement, Who Should Own The Jointly Developed IP? (AIPLA Annual Meeting, 10/11), The Exponential Speed of Innovation: Is IP Driving Your Business? (Chair, F&L 7th Annual IP Conference, 9/11), Winning a Game of Inches: Gaining Momentum Through IP (Chair, F&L 6th Annual IP Conference, 10/10), Patenting Business Methods and Other Recent Developments (Client CLE, 1/10), Being A Partner (F&L Presentation, 1/10), What IP Issues Keep General Counsel Up At Night? (Chair/Panelist, F&L 5th Annual IP Conference, 10/09), Extracting Value from IP in the Reform Era: What It Takes to Build and Protect Your Core Assets in Uncertain Times (Argyle Corporate Leadership Forum, 9/09), Networking For Success (F&L Mentor/Mentee Seminar, 6/09), Emerging Legal Trends In Patent Law (MCCA CLE Expo, 3/09), IP Gone Wild? (Moderator and Panelist, F&L 4th Annual IP Conference, 9/08), Strategic Patent LitigationVenue Selection, Use of IP Injunctions & Defenses (IP Section Mtg. As a junior associate, before going on to co-chair Venable LLPs IP division, Justin Pierce recalls hearing the trope about being really articulate from a potential client. Some of them, I made them be my advocate. In addition, the industry that employs the most patent attorneys is the professional industry. Stay tuned! Do I matter? 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. Many Black law students arent exposed to IP as a career path. The Cochran Firm was founded over 40 years ago by the late Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr., one of the country's most well-known and well-respected legal advocates. The agency would also be required to make the data public. After speaking with a new partner from another office for 15 minutes, he said to her, Well, it was good chatting with you, but Ive really got to meet members of the management committee. 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. Its hard to do if youre black, white, brown, green or purple, he said. Born on September 1, 1857, in Columbia, Mississippi, Baker made it his mission to identify and publicly highlight the contributions of black inventors. 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. 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). BS, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Texas Southern University, MS, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Texas SouthernUniversity (Summa CumLaude, With High Honors), JD, University of Illinois Chicago Law School, Top 25 Trial Lawyers The National Trial Lawyers National Women (Specialty Division), Top Women Attorneys in Illinois Rising Stars, Top Attorneys in Illinois Rising Stars 2014-2021, Lifetime Member of Black Women Lawyers Association of Chicago, American Intellectual Property Law Association, National Association of Patent Practitioners, Texas Southern University Distinguished Alumni Award. And firms must provide mentors and advocates for young attorneys. Black IP Lawyers Who've Made It Look to Grow Ranks Beyond 1.7% "Recent Developments in Patent Law & Best Practices with Patent Opinions" (Client CLE, 6/20) "2019 PTAB Year In Review" (F&L Webinar, 1/20) . These multiple routes to a patent career promoted diversity, because they were especially valuable for women and other disadvantaged groups. Almost every lawyer goes through a crisis of confidence at some pointoften around four to six years out, when demands of the job start ramping up. We provide excellence in legal services and are proud to be one of the most powerful networks in the industry. Letsallget involved. 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). Our estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. As a dialogue springs up around systemic racism, lawyers like Kirkland & Ellis' Ellisen Turner and Foley & Lardner's Jeanne Gills say there's no more excuse for clients not to include black patent lawyers on their Rolodexes. As an African American Patent Attorney, she is an active member of The Chicago's first Black Inventors Organization and provides assistance to African American Inventors throughout the United States. Theres a direct correlation between the racial wealth gap and IP ownership, said Nina Archie, diversity and tech policy adviser at The Commercializer. Jamaals IP expertise relates to both the mechanical and electrical arts and covers a broad range of inventions and patents including medical devices, electrical support systems, construction fasteners, seismic construction, air handling systems, metal fabrication, LED lighting systems, footwear, fabrics, and organic compositions. Well strive to move the needle on diversity and inclusion efforts across the legal industry. People are often surprised when they learn that I practice patent litigation, said Ellisen Turner, IP practice group partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. The First African-American to Hold a Patent Invented 'Dry Scouring' 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). Benjamin was granted patents for her ideas, and this is sufficient to demonstrate that her discoveries were original and distinct from previous inventions. Dr. Bruce E. Black is a registered patent attorney and specializes in domestic and international patent procurement, client counseling, licensing, and due diligence for innovations in the areas of medical devices, chemistry, physics, materials science, biotechnology, mechanical arts, and software. By comparison, 5% of attorneys in the U.S. are Black, according to the American Bar Association. I think we have this vision of inventors as this person alone in a garage but really invention and patenting is a team sport, said Holly Fechner, a partner at Covington & Burling LLP, who has written about closing the diversity gaps in innovation.
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