Like most of America, Kirkland & Ellis partner Ellisen Turner has followed the horrific killings of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd. 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. 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. 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 technical knowledge of handling a trial, and the marketability of that knowledgethat could never be taken from me. Miriam Benjamin later worked in Edgars prosperous general law practice, and the 1920 census lists her occupation as a patent attorney. There are relatively simple steps that firms can take too. 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 As a dialogue springs up around systemic racism, Kirkland partner Ellisen Turner and other lawyers discuss the legal industry's failure to recognize and reward the achievements of black patent attorneys. After earning a B.S. The amount you can make as a patent attorney can depend on where you live. On what other basis would you think that I couldnt possibly be [on the committee] other than my skin color or gender? she said. Theyve never really seen it, its not something theyre aware of.. Comparatively, there are 7.9% of the Hispanic or Latino ethnicity and 6.5% of the Asian ethnicity. Join The Recorder now! Recognizing innovation in the legal technology sector for working on precedent-setting, game-changing projects and initiatives. (310) 201-3548. The Litigation Landscape Post-, Avoiding a Career Silo: Understanding and Converting Your Value (10th Annual CYOC Career Development Conference, IP Law Pre-Conference 9/07), Hot Topics in Trademark Law (DuPont Legal Conference, 9/07), Taking A Company's IP To The Next Level (Client CLE, 6/07), Use of Expert Witnesses in Patent Litigation (BNA/ABA Seminar, 11/06), Are Opinions of Counsel Still the Best Defense to Willfulness in IP (Patent & Trademark) Litigation (F&L Corporate Counsel Seminar, 10/06), Battling Global IP Piracy & Counterfeiting (Chair, F&L 2nd Annual IP Conference, 9/06). Lisa Cook, an economics professor at Michigan State, linked declines in African American patenting to race riots and acts of violence, including the decimation of a once-thriving Black business community in Tulsa, Okla., in 1921 when a white racist mob killed hundreds of Black residents. Her second invention was a sole for footwear that was patented in 1917 in the United States and in Canada. As we celebrate Woman's month, founder of Mashabela IP Attorneys, Tumelo Mashabela, first black female patent attorney in South Africa, is determined to make a difference in local and international businesses by providing world class patent counsel through her boutique law firm which is situated in Pretoria. 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. Like millions of innovative individuals, MIRIAM E. BENJAMIN (1861-1947) was active in multiple inventive markets, as the patentee of two inventions, and assignee on another. A Pioneering Black Woman Patent Attorney - Bowdoin College 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. Were still being judged, feared, devalued because of our race. From there, a firm can pay for the candidate to take the patent offices bar exam, meaning the candidate can then help clients in the process of obtaining a patent. It was great to see a prominent lawyer who looked like me; it materially contributed to my vision of success. For someone like Kirklands Turner, its almost like he has to be not just good, but fantastic, superlative to succeed. Member Portal In addition, the industry that employs the most patent attorneys is the professional industry. She may have obtained informal legal training, but that is pure speculation, without any reliable supporting evidence. Fraline J. Allgaier, Esq., Patent, Trademark & Copyright Attorney Government has tried to take some steps, but progress has been slow. For more information, please see our Cookie Policy. *** In 1906, the Boston Daily Globe reported that Through the untiring efforts of Miss Miriam E. Benjamin of Boston, a clerk in one of the Departments at Washington, $10,482 has been awarded Samuel Lee, a negro, who was elected to congress 25 years ago, but never sworn in. Benjamin lobbied to bring the bill to aid Samuel Lee before Congress nine times, until it finally passed in 1906. Filed Under: Of Patents and Prizes, Women in the Republic of Enterprise Tagged With: diversity, intellectual property, patents, women, The Mystery of the Missing Minority Millionairess, A Halloween Debate: Diversity and Exclusion, Who was the First U.S. Economics Professor? Jamaal R. Jordan, Attorney - Intellectual Property and - Stinson 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. 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. Jeanne M. Gills is a partner and intellectual property lawyer with Foley & Lardner LLP. The initiative's progress, as well as that of IPReg, the regulator for patent and trademark attorneys in the UK, has been documented previously. When you look at that requirement, you must then consider the population of black college students, or post-college grads that have that technical background. Miriam Benjamin was actively involved in the patenting process, as an inventor and assignee. The list did not include any patent litigators. Gills Quoted in The Recorder About Systemic Racism Facing Black Patent In an hour-long meeting, Gills was asked questions about a statutes legislative history, which had nothing to do with issues in the case. Copyright 2023 ALM Global, LLC. Apart from racism, Black IP attorneys say there are distinct reasons why they make up just 1.7% of their specialty, a figure based on a survey by the American Intellectual Property Law Association. 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 . And firms must provide mentors and advocates for young attorneys. James Smith, the first chief judge of the federal Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and now chief intellectual property counsel at Ecolab Inc., said hes actually had attorneys hand him their bags to carry. As in-house counsel, Alex developed strategy and managed dozens of patent cases in 5 countries, including 3 ITC trials, District Court cases, a UK trial, a German trial, and 2 China cases . Being laser focused on the opportunities afforded Black lawyers and the outcomes will allow firms to course correct for any potential disparate impact associated with long standing practices, Drayton said. Companies are coming out with statements they probably never would have thought theyd make 30 days ago, saying Black Lives Matter, Drayton said. Top 10 Black Female Attorneys You Should Know - Black Enterprise 300 Years of African-American Invention and Innovation She is a member (or participant in the activities) of several bar associations (or IP sections thereof), including AIPLA, ABA, INTA, CBA, NBA, CCWC, MCCA, IPLAC, BWLA, and CCBA. 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. The 10 Best Patent Attorneys Near Me (with Prices & Reviews) - Thervo A law firm with a large IP department that includes paralegals and patent agents can ensure that those ranks are diverse. To understand what its like for a black lawyer practicing IP, she said to imagine playing a game of Monopoly where you begin with no money or property and your opponents already have significant amounts of it. The second-most popular foreign language spoken is Mandarin at 20.0% and Japanese is the third-most popular at 12.7%. If you are a person of color, particularly a Black person, and you want to find a lawyer who is not going to think of you as intellectually inferior, who is not going to have some of those barriers and those implicit biases that may exist, its hard, Johnson said. 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 . (212) 558-4000 125 Broad St New York, NY 10004 CLOSED NOW 4. Patent attorneys are most in-demand in Los Angeles, CA. Diversity, and Recruiting Committees and was the former chair and founder of the firm's African-American Attorneys Affinity Group. Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. She previously served on the board of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform and previously served for six years on the Evening Associates Board of the Art Institute of Chicago and mentored high school students through Links Unlimited. Patent Attorney Demographics and Statistics In The US - Zippia What Joseph L. Rini Knows, Attorney Rachel Y. Marshall A Pillar of Strength for the Community, SpotDraft Raises $26 Million in Series A Funding for AI-Powered Legal Software. 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. Researchers point to the Supreme Courts infamous 1857 Dred Scott ruling that Americans of African descent, whether free or enslaved, were not U.S. citizens. 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. Use our chart to find out where that salary is located. Over 160 years ago, in 1857, the U.S. commissioner of patents said a slaves invention couldnt be patented. Protecting And Enforcing Trade Secrets, Article: Whats Reasonable?Protecting And Enforcing Trade Secrets, Justices Craft Their Own Remedy for Violation of Constitutions Appointments Clause, Justices Scale Back Unreviewable Authority of Administrative Patent Judges, Justices Appear Conflicted About Status of Administrative Patent Judges, Justices To Consider Appointments Clause Challenge To Administrative Patent Judges, Trademark, Copyright & Advertising Counseling, Trademark, Copyright & Advertising Litigation, Foley Attorneys Named to 2023 Illinois Super Lawyers List, Jeanne M. Gills Named an Honoree at Corporate Counsel 2022 Women, Influence and Power in Law Awards, Foley Attorneys Recognized in 2023 Best Lawyers in America, Foley Represents The League in Acquisition by Match Group, 16th Annual IP Conference (Virtual): Knowing When and How to Pivot 2.0, Health Plan Transparency in Coverage Rule, The University of Chicago Law School (J.D., 1994), Michigan State University (B.S., with honors, electrical engineering, 1991), Ready to Respond: A Roadmap for Diverse Attorneys to Serve on Corporate Boards (CMCP Virtual Seminar, 3/21), General Counsel BootcampIntellectual Property (Client CLE, 2/21), Diversity & Inclusion: Beyond the Boardroom (F&L National Directors Institute, 11/20), Knowing When and How to Pivot 2.0 (Chair, F&L 16th Annual IP Conference, 10/20), Elevate: How to Breakthrough Your Inner Glass Ceiling & Reclaim Your Power to Lead (CCWC 16th Annual Conference, 9/20), Recent Developments in Patent Law & Best Practices with Patent Opinions (Client CLE, 6/20), 2019 PTAB Year In Review (F&L Webinar, 1/20), When and How to Pivot (Chair, F&L 15th Annual IP Conference, 10/19), Advanced, Patent Litigation Seminar (Chair, PLI, Chicago, 2009-2018), Proving and Guarding the Real Economic Value of IP (Chair, F&L 14th Annual IP Conference, 9/18), Trade Secrets Protection, Enforcement, and Litigation (Sandpiper Partners LLC, 6/18), Diversity & Inclusion (Law Bulletin Ethics Seminar, 6/18), Top Ten Tips for a Successful Mediation in Intellectual Property Cases (AIPLA Annual Meeting Presentation and Article, 10/17), Forging Ahead: Strategies for the New Unknown (Chair and Speaker, F&L 13th Annual IP Conference, 10/17), Chicago Black Partners Alliance, Marshall Movie Premiere Event (10/17), Career Not Moving Fast Enough? 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. Patents & Trademarks. Thats the goal of the NextGen IP Foundation, a new program that helps grade-school students apply for patents. You could start there, she said. Black Economist's Research Finds A Blindspot On A Theory Of - NPR Woods developed the railroad telegraph; Julian figured out how to synthesize different hormones, including cortisone. CAN I USE MY TRADEMARK ON PROMOTIONAL ITEMS? Learn about patents, patent searches, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets in these resources and guides. The U.S. patent system, long regarded as among the worlds best, has also been stubbornly difficult for Black inventors to access. 'Take That On': Black Patent Attorneys Say It's Time They Are Im surprised I havent heard of you, the executive said. That is why we will be opening our Members Only Job Opportunities database which will be updated regularly with positions sent directly to us by companies seeking to hire diverse applicants. Glencoe, IL 60022, Call: 847-409-8670 No one brought up the possibility, said Sheppard, who was previously a director of the PTOs midwest regional office. Letsallget involved. For black lawyers, its even harder. At OC Patent Lawyer, we serve clients throughout Orange County and Los Angeles County, California from our office in Irvine, California. I do hope that it is a catalyst for real change. 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). After finding the gender ratio, we wondered if the percentages of LGBT persons were different as well. Often, key first year law courses leave no room for electives like intellectual property, meaning students may not get exposure to the subject matter. Well continue lifting as we rise. This chart breaks down the ages of patent attorney employees. 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. Years ago, she said, a Black deputy general counsel at a Fortune 500 company got Gills a meeting with the outfits White general counsel. She is also frequently quoted by publications such as Law360, Managing Intellectual Property, BNAs Patent Trademark & Copyright Journal, and The Wall Street Journal. In addition, she regularly presents seminars, and publishes on a variety of IP topics, including: Jeanne has previously served on the firms Strategic Planning, Diversity, and Recruiting Committees and was the former chair and founder of the firms African-American Attorneys Affinity Group.