By Kate Duttera for ADAPT.legal The importance of community in the IP industry often reveals itself in the quieter moments outside of the day-to-day work. Renee Meisel, CEO of UnitedLex, described such a moment during a recent interview with ADAPT. She had been speaking with an IP attorney friend about career pathways and access. Her friend was trying to help a younger family member navigate opportunities in STEM, someone with potential but limited exposure to the kinds of careers available. Meisel found herself enthusiastically describing ADAPT and the role it could play, not just as a professional network, but as a gateway into a field many people don’t even realize exists. That moment, she explained, captured something essential: the idea that the IP industry grows not just through expertise, but through connection, and people bringing others into the fold. For UnitedLex, that belief underpins how the organization approaches its work, its partnerships, and its place within the broader IP ecosystem. Moving Beyond the Transaction In many ways, the legal industry still operates on a transactional model that’s defined by discrete pieces of work, completed and delivered. UnitedLex has been intentionally moving away from that structure. “It’s not just about the very transactional day-to-day work… it’s that bigger, deeper commitment to each other that we build,” Meisel said. This shift reframes relationships entirely. Clients are no longer endpoints in a workflow but part of an ongoing partnership. That kind of partnership creates a different dynamic, one where trust, shared responsibility, and long-term thinking shape outcomes as much as technical expertise. The impact of that approach becomes most visible under pressure. Strong partnerships, as Meisel described, give teams the confidence to engage with more complex or uncertain challenges. When the relationship is there, “you’re going to get through it together.” Community as a Working Model That same logic extends outward into how UnitedLex views the broader IP community. Community is not just a network. It is a practical way of working. The organization’s alignment with ADAPT reflects that view. ADAPT brings together professionals across disciplines and geographies, creating space for conversations that are difficult to replicate within any single organization. What stands out in those environments, Meisel noted, is the range of perspectives. Lawyers, technologists, in-house leaders, and service providers each bring their own lens, and the exchange between them is where real insight emerges. “It’s really nice to get all those perspectives together to just learn from each other,” she said. As IP work becomes more interconnected with technology and business strategy, that kind of cross-functional dialogue is more and more essential. Creating Space for Real Dialogue One of the challenges in building community in the IP industry is that many existing forums are highly structured. Conferences and events often come with set agendas, predefined conversations, and an emphasis on presentation over interaction. UnitedLex has taken a different approach. In the forums it hosts, the goal is to create space for open-ended discussion. Rather than focusing on formal programming, these gatherings emphasize peer-to-peer exchange. Participants are encouraged to raise current issues, compare approaches, and test ideas in real time. The result is a more grounded type of engagement – one that prioritizes shared problem-solving over passive listening. Expanding Access to the Field As Meisel described, many people who could thrive in IP simply never encounter it as a career option. Addressing that gap requires intentional outreach: mentorship, education, and community-driven efforts that introduce the industry earlier and more broadly. UnitedLex has made this part of its longer-term focus, both through its own initiatives and through its engagement with organizations like ADAPT. Internally, that commitment shows up in the way the company approaches talent development. There is an emphasis on building careers over time, with individuals growing into leadership roles through sustained investment and mentorship. Diversity of Thought as a Strength Within that broader focus on access is a more expansive view of diversity. For UnitedLex, diversity is about representation and the perspectives that it brings. “I believe in surrounding myself with people who… have something that I don’t have,” Meisel said. Differences in skill set, background, and way of thinking are necessary for the industry to thrive. In a field as complex as IP, no single perspective is sufficient. The wider the circle of voices, the more likely it is that blind spots are identified and addressed. Alignment in Practice Taken together, these elements help explain why UnitedLex sees such a strong alignment with ADAPT. Both emphasize the same underlying principle: that the future of IP depends on connections between people, disciplines, and ideas. For UnitedLex, participating in the IP community is an integral part of how the work gets done. The takeaway is straightforward. In an industry often defined by complexity, the most effective path forward may be the simplest one: investing in relationships, sharing knowledge, and building a community that moves forward together.

ADAPT Industry Spotlight Aparna Watal was still a teenager in India when she watched her mother take on her state university in a legal dispute. The case was complex, the institution was formidable, and one of the lawyers refused to charge any fees because the client was a teacher and he respected the profession that much. Watal, sitting and watching it all unfold, came away with a conviction she has never lost: "I just thought, wow, law is truly a superpower," she recalled. "It doesn't matter how small you are, how limited your resources might be. You can take on any institution." That belief has shaped everything Watal has done since, including the career she built as a trademark attorney in Sydney, the clients she chooses to champion, and the work she now does to make intellectual property more accessible to the businesses and professionals who need it most. A Path Through Engineering and Into Law When Watal told her parents she wanted to study law, they were against it. In India at the time, law was seen as a profession for those who had no better options, and she was talented in science and mathematics. Her father was a firm no. So Watal agreed to study chemical engineering first, and she genuinely loved it, particularly the applied sciences dimension. She spent time working as a chemical engineer for a petrochemical company, and for a period she thought that might be the path. What shifted her was something she describes with measured directness: she was often one of two women in a group of sixty engineers. When you cannot see others like you, she explains, it becomes harder to see your own progression path forward. When the global financial crisis hit and many people returned to university, she took the opening and finally circled back to law. She assumed that her engineering background would steer her into patent work, and she took an entry-level patent advisory role in-house to get her foot in the door. She quickly realized patents were not the right fit; the first opportunity she got in private practice doing trademarks, she took it and has never looked back. The work moves fast, spans industries, and draws on both her technical background and her creative instincts. One day she might be working with an engineering company; the next, with a fashion startup. The variety, she says, is exactly the point. Today she leads the trademarks practice at Halfords IP, a specialist IP firm in Sydney. She is also co-chair of the ChIPs Network Australia New Zealand chapter, sits on multiple industry committees, and has been building a platform designed to make the trademark entry experience simpler and more accessible for the businesses that need it most. AI and the Reactive Posture Problem Much of Watal's current thinking centers on how artificial intelligence is changing the risk landscape for brand owners, and why the traditional approach to trademark protection is increasingly missing the mark. Her diagnosis of the core problem is straightforward: most businesses think about trademark protection reactively. They register their brand name and logo when they are ready to launch, or they return to IP protection when something goes wrong. Previously, that approach saved the day but in an AI-accelerated environment, she argues, it is genuinely dangerous. The threat she describes most vividly is impersonation at scale. AI systems can now copy the tone, messaging, and visual identity of a business so convincingly that a fraudulent website becomes nearly indistinguishable from the real thing. She has seen it with her own clients: fake websites with corresponding LinkedIn pages, social media accounts, and employee names drawn from the actual company's roster. Someone stumbling across the fraudulent site would have no reason to doubt it. "In each of those cases, the business thankfully had the foresight to register their branding at the right time. Because of that, we were able to take action quickly." Without prior registration, she explains, enforcement becomes expensive and difficult, particularly for smaller businesses whose reputations exist but are harder to document in a legal proceeding. The second AI-driven risk she flags is the proliferation of AI-generated competitor brands. Generative AI makes it trivially easy to produce brand names and logos at scale, which is accelerating the already substantial volume of potentially conflicting marks. Trademark registers are filling faster, and clearance searches are more complex. The work of monitoring the market for lookalikes has grown considerably. Her somewhat hopeful counterpoint is that AI tools are also making that monitoring easier, creating a situation where the same technology driving the risk is also providing some of the tools to manage it. Moving IP Awareness Upstream When the conversation turns to what professional organizations like ADAPT can do, Watal's thinking is specific and structural. She begins with an honest assessment: the trademark system is not well designed for people who don’t already understand it. There is no shortage of guidance documents, explainers, and government resources trying to break down the information barrier, and they are genuinely useful, access to information is not the problem. The problem, as she sees it, is timing. Businesses encounter IP decisions far too late in their development process, often after they have already invested significantly in a brand they may not be able to protect or use freely. The fix is redesigning the entry experience so that the prompt to think about trademark protection arrives much earlier, at the exact moments when businesses are making other foundational decisions. "When you are registering a business name, that is when the prompt should arrive: have you thought about trademark registration? When you are setting up your accounting software, that is when you also need to be thinking about brand protection." The goal is to move IP awareness upstream into those critical early decision moments, before the damage has already been done. This is also the animating idea behind the platform she is currently building, which is designed to make the trademark entry experience more user-friendly for the people who interact with brands every day: marketers, brand developers, and business owners who are not IP practitioners but who are making decisions with IP consequences. The Future of Trademark Law in an AI World Looking ahead, Watal makes one prediction with particular confidence: non-traditional trademarks, including color marks and other marks beyond standard words and logos, which have historically been niche and difficult to register, are going to become significantly more important. As AI homogenizes visual branding, the marks that are hardest to algorithmically replicate will become more valuable. Examination practices for those types of marks, she argues, will need to evolve to handle both the volume and the more sophisticated standards required. The longer-term question she finds genuinely fascinating is what happens to trademark law when agentic AI, rather than a human consumer, is the one making purchasing decisions. The entire framework for assessing consumer confusion is built around how a human perceives and responds to brands: the look, the sound, the feel of a mark. An AI agent does not perceive brands that way. It reads metadata, keyword rankings, and recommendation parameters. "If agentic AI is the one making the purchase, what is the threshold for confusion? Maybe we will need two thresholds, because humans will still be in place. But if it is an AI agent doing the transaction, maybe a different threshold applies entirely." These are questions the law has not yet been forced to fully answer, but Watal believes they are coming faster than most practitioners expect. Giving Back What Was Not Given to Her Watal is clear-eyed about what her own entry into the profession looked like. She had no mentors waiting for her when she arrived. Navigating the legal field without guidance can be enormously challenging. Watal had to find mentors and sponsors for herself, which is not easy in a profession where time is scarce, competition is high, and there are very few female leaders with a similar technical or cultural background. Anything she can do to make that journey easier for the next generation, she wants to do. That commitment explains her involvement in multiple industry bodies focused on early-career support, her role building up the ChIPs Network Australia New Zealand chapter, and her interest in engaging with ADAPT's work. She sees a direct line between what ADAPT is trying to do, increasing awareness of and access to IP systems earlier and more broadly, and the kind of structural change that actually shifts who participates in the profession. The teenager who watched her mother's lawyer refuse a fee because some cases are worth taking on for their own sake has never quite let go of that image. Law, at its best, levels the field. Watal's work, in the trademark system and beyond it, is a sustained argument that the IP system should do the same. A warm thank you to Ashley Cheung of Virtual Patent Gateway, who thoughtfully made the introduction and shared the episode. Sarah Foley Founder, Foley IP Law, PLLC ADAPT Communications Team

ADAPT Industry Spotlight When Mary Fuller describes her career, she reaches for an analogy rooted in her earliest professional training: she was learning to troubleshoot life the same way she troubleshot circuits. "You figure out what's broken, fix what you can, keep building," she said. It's a deceptively simple framework for a path that has taken her from a single-wide trailer in Arizona to the federal government, and from there to the deanship of one of California's most storied law schools. Fuller is the Dean of Lincoln Law School in San Jose, a position she stepped into after serving as Director of the USPTO's Western Regional Office. Before that, she was a patent litigator, an in-house attorney, a federal executive, and, even earlier, an electrical engineer who tested autopilots for private jets. She’s the first to tell you that none of it was planned. "When people look at my resume, they see this nonlinear career," she said. "Engineer, patent attorney, litigation director, government executive, and now dean. But as I was going through it, it didn't feel nonlinear while I was living it. It felt like responding to what was in front of me." School as the One Constant Fuller grew up in the Greater Phoenix area in a household that moved frequently due to financial instability. By the time she was ten, she had learned to hold lightly to friendships and geography. What she clung to instead was school. In classrooms that changed every year or two, academic performance was the one thing she could control, and she controlled it deliberately, becoming one of the strongest students in every new class she entered. That orientation toward learning as a form of stability carried her into a vocational electronics program in high school, where a skeptical instructor made clear from day one that freshmen were not welcome and girls were even less so. Rather than being discouraged, Fuller found herself ignited. She fought to stay, fought to prove she belonged, and later reflected that without his resistance, she might never have become an electronics technician, an electrical engineer, or a patent attorney. For six years after high school, she worked full-time during the day and attended Glendale Community College at night, eventually earning an associate's degree in electronic technology. She was proud of her single-wide trailer, responsible for the lot rent and the payments, cutting back on food when Sperry Avionics, her employer at the time, started struggling. The math she was doing in her head then was survival math: what has to be paid, what can be turned off, how long can this stretch? What she held onto, through all of it, was school. The Accidental Discovery of IP At 23, Fuller left her technician role, enrolled at Northern Arizona University, and earned an electrical engineering degree in three years, a timeline made possible by all those years of night school. After earning her degree, she packed her car, pointed it north, and arrived in Boise, Idaho, to work as an engineer at Hewlett-Packard. HP encouraged its engineers to spend up to twenty percent of their time exploring new areas, and Fuller took that invitation seriously. She designed a circuit adapter that other divisions found useful, which led to six international supplier evaluation trips and, in the process, introductions to six different patent attorneys. She was curious about their work, so she asked each of them about their careers. Every one of them said they would choose the same career all over again. What they loved, above all else, was that it never became repetitive. For Fuller, who was already feeling the tedium of designing the same power supply with minor variations, that answer landed hard. She realized she loved learning more than repeating, and that insight was what led her to law school. She chose Notre Dame for reasons she describes with characteristic candor. She had watched the film Rudy, felt something in it, and was drawn to a school that promised tradition and belonging rather than prestige. "Growing up moving more frequently, I built competence, I was smart. But belonging felt different, and Notre Dame felt like something that would be enduring." What she encountered in law school, and in the career that followed, sharpened her thinking on something important: she had only found intellectual property because she happened to be in the right rooms at the right time. The discovery had been accidental, and she knew it. Mentorship That Actually Moves People Through Doors After graduating from Notre Dame, Fuller faced a choice between returning in-house to HP, where she had interned and where she felt professionally at home, or joining Pennie Edmonds, then the oldest and largest patent boutique in the world. Her mentor at HP, Bill McAllister, pushed her toward the law firm. She didn’t take it well at first. "My feelings were really hurt. I remember thinking, why don't they want me back? What's wrong with me?" She laughs telling the story now. McAllister was not pushing her out; he was advocating for her growth, knowing that the volume and variety of work at Pennie would accelerate her career in ways that staying in-house never could. He was right. That push was pivotal. The experience sharpened a distinction she now holds firmly between mentorship and sponsorship. A mentor shares their story, offers guidance, and can be enormously helpful. But sponsorship is different. A sponsor uses their credibility on your behalf. They put your name forward when you are not in the room. They do not just point at the door and say, that is the door I walked through, you should walk through it too. They pull you through it. "In my own career, the most pivotal moments were not when someone encouraged me. They were when someone advocated for me. Mentorship feels supportive. Sponsorship changes trajectory." She also draws a line between what she calls aspirational and actionable support. A program that pairs people together and calls it development is not the same as one that transfers real skills, creates proximity, and opens actual opportunities. Pairing, she says, is not always development. Access as a System Problem, Not a Personal One When asked what meaningful access to IP education actually looks like in practice, Fuller does not hedge. It looks like students in community colleges, engineering programs, and vocational settings being introduced to the idea that protecting ideas is itself a career path, and that their technical or creative skills can translate into that work. It looks like innovators understanding clearly that their ideas have value and can be protected before someone else explains it to them by accident on a business trip. "IP is powerful because it sits at the intersection of creativity and commerce," she said. "But if only people with proximity or privilege know about it, then that system narrows itself. Expanding access, not lowering standards, is the way to go. It widens awareness." This is the lens through which she now sees her role at Lincoln Law School, which was founded in 1919 by Dr. Benjamin Fraklin Lickey and his wife, Susan. They founded the school specifically for working people and non-traditional students. It has always been an evening school. When Fuller looks at her students today, she sees people balancing jobs, families, bills, and exhaustion alongside their legal education. She has been that person, she knows the quiet math of wondering whether slow progress is actually progress at all. "I understand what it's like to go to six years of night school inside an unpredictable life. I understand being proud of small victories, like a single-wide trailer on a double-wide lot. I understand that quiet math in your head, wondering if you can afford all this and do everything. I know this is a struggle. I see it on our students' faces all the time." The Throughline Ask Fuller what connects a career that has moved from electronics technician to engineer to patent litigator to federal director to law school dean, and she answers without hesitation: dignity. Dignity in work, dignity in steady progress even when no one is applauding it, dignity in showing up for yourself when the path ahead is uncertain. And most of all, the dignity of showing up for others and helping them make room for their own progress, their own experiences, and their own journey. "Stability wasn't staying in one place. It was building skills and character that traveled with me. They traveled from a trailer, to night school classrooms, to a factory floor, to law firms, to boardrooms." For anyone currently in the middle of that kind of journey, still doing that quiet math in their head and wondering whether the slow progress counts, she offers this: it does. Nothing learned is ever wasted, even when you cannot yet see where it is leading. The pattern becomes visible later. The throughline reveals itself in retrospect. That is what ADAPT is working to change: making the pattern visible earlier, so that the people who most need it do not have to wait until they look back to see it. A warm thank you to Ashley Cheung of Virtual Patent Gateway, who thoughtfully made the introduction and shared the episode. Sarah Foley Founder, Foley IP Law, PLLC ADAPT Communications Team

When we talk about the future of intellectual property, we often imagine seasoned attorneys guiding the next generation. But Marguerite Smith is redefining what it means to enter the profession—bringing her engineering background, community leadership, and a passion for mentorship to the world of patents, all without a law degree. Marguerite’s journey began with the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) , where she spent years of college deeply involved, serving as president and treasurer of her collegiate section. Her commitment to outreach was evident in her work with the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio , organizing badge labs that introduced hundreds of young girls to engineering through hands-on activities in paper engineering, circuits, biomedical science, and coding robots. “I love doing community outreach through STEM,” Marguerite recalls. “You’re adding engineering to the local community and inspiring the next generation.” After graduation, Marguerite discovered a path to stay engaged with SWE as a professional. Today, she serves on the national leadership team as Chair-Elect for Member Engagement, working closely with SWE’s board of directors to advance opportunities for women in engineering. Her focus is on bridging the gap between collegiate and professional members, launching initiatives like the First-Time Attendees event at SWE’s annual conference and quarterly “Gear Up” virtual activities to maximize membership benefits. “My job is to look at all 50,000 SWE members and ask, ‘How do we get them more engaged?’” Marguerite explains. Marguerite’s professional journey took a unique turn when she entered the patent field as an agent—without a law degree. Her involvement with ADAPT.legal began serendipitously, through a LinkedIn post about their mentorship program . “I wasn’t a student anymore, but I was early in my career and hadn’t even passed the patent bar yet,” she says. ADAPT welcomed her, and she quickly became a mentee in both the student  and professional  mentorship programs. “It’s not just a one-time mentorship meeting. It became almost like a sponsorship, with mentors checking in regularly and opening doors to new opportunities.”   Marguerite’s advocacy doesn’t stop at SWE and ADAPT. She serves on the STEM advisory board for the Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio, continuing her commitment to outreach, albeit now at a higher level and mostly remotely. She’s also spoken at SWE’s annual conference, sharing the stage with experienced patent attorneys and encouraging engineers to consider careers in intellectual property. “There’s always been a small corner of SWE that does IP, but there are so few of us. That gives us a bigger platform to talk about it.” Her advice to engineers considering legal careers? “There’s no one right answer. Your interest is enough.ADAPT offers resources and information to let you explore and learn more without having to jump in headfirst.” Marguerite is passionate about making the profession accessible, simplifying the path for others, and building networks that support early-career professionals. She published a blog post for SWE, discussing “ Why Engineers Make Great Lawyers ." Looking ahead, Marguerite is preparing for law school and eager to see her first patent applications publish. She’s excited about every “first”—from new types of work to new inventors—and remains committed to learning and growing as a patent agent. “I want to be a better patent agent, interact with more inventors, and have more autonomy. I love learning all the different parts of this job.” Marguerite’s story is a testament to the power of cross-collaboration—between organizations like SWE, ADAPT, and the Girl Scouts—and the impact of mentorship and outreach. Her journey shows that you don’t need a law degree to make a difference in the patent world; you just need curiosity, commitment, and a willingness to build bridges. Ready to Take the Next Step? Marguerite’s story is proof that you don’t need a law degree or a traditional background to make an impact in the patent profession. Check out ADAPT.legal ’s career guide  to explore different careers in the patent world. If you’re an early-career professional, engineer, or simply curious about intellectual property, consider joining the ADAPT.legal Student Mentorship Program , or the ADAPT.legal Professional Mentorship Program . You’ll gain access to a supportive network, experienced mentors, and resources to help you explore and grow in the field—whether you’re ready to dive in or just want to learn more. Sign up today and start building your own bridge into the world of IP! Shirley Fung ADAPT Communications Team

The Innovator Diversity Pilots Initiative  (IDPI) includes a group of researchers working with firms and organizations to advance diversity and inclusion in innovation through rigorous research and piloting projects. It supports collaboration between academics, firms, and policymakers to develop evidence-based strategies and share best practices, and hosts conferences approximately every two years highlighting these themes. On September 20, 2024, the second IDPI Conference convened in Atlanta, GA, bringing together thought leaders, academics, legal professionals, and government representatives to explore and advance diversity in innovation and intellectual property. Hosted by Emory University School of Law, the conference featured a robust agenda of panels, presentations, and discussions aimed at fostering inclusive innovation environments for the benefit of individuals and society at large. Morning Session Highlights Vice Dean Joanna Shepherd and Professor Margo Bagley of Emory Law opened the Conference. The opening panel, moderated by Professor Colleen Chien of Berkeley Law, examined the progress made since the USPTO’s Progress and Potential Report. Presenters shared insights from various pilot programs and research initiatives: Jillian Grennan (professor of economics at Emory University) discussed the innovator-inventor gap. Gauri Subramani (professor of management at Lehigh University) highlighted gender disparities in patent citations, while Jason Sandvik (professor of finance at University of Arizona) presented findings on mentoring and innovation. Additionally, Holly Fechner (Executive Director Invent Together, Partner at Covington & Burling LLP, and visiting lecturer at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government) shared results from the Invent Together Trust Survey , and Valencia Martin Wallace (Deputy Commissioner for Patents at USPTO) introduced the National Strategy for Inclusive Innovation. Following a break, the session continued with practical insights from the Diversity Pledge, moderated by Suzanne Harrison (of US IP Alliance (USIPA) and Increasing Diversity in Innovation (IDII)). Speakers from Western Digital (Sabra-Anne Truesdale, Associate General Counsel for IP), Meta (Jeremiah Chan, Head of Patents, Licensing and Open Source), and Pure Storage (Frances Winkler, member of the IP Operations and Innovations Program) shared their experiences implementing best practices to support inventors. At lunch, attendees enjoyed a fireside chat between Derrick Brent, then Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property at the USPTO, and Donnie Beamer, Jr., Senior Technology Advisor to the Mayor of Atlanta, moderated by Braxton Davis, Associate General Counsel at Meta. The keynote address by Petra Moser (professor of economics at NYU) explored how shifts in talent allocation could close the innovation gender gap. The morning concluded with a panel on law firm diversity initiatives, moderated by Lateef Mtima (professor of law at Howard University), featuring representatives from Schwegman (Tony Josephson), Finnegan (Kara Specht), and Wilson Sonsini (Derrick Rowe). Afternoon Session: Academic and Practice Tracks The afternoon featured two parallel tracks. The academic track, organized by Jillian Grennan of Emory University, showcased cutting-edge research: Gaia Dossi (postdoctoral research fellow of economics at the University College London) presented on race and science, Roger Masclans (PhD Candidate in Strategy at Duke University) discussed measuring the commercial potential of scientific innovations, Davidson Heath (professor of finance at University of Utah) examined teamwork in open-source software, and April Burrage (Proposita Fellow in the Management Science and Engineering department at Stanford University) analyzed racial and ethnic representation in high-tech entrepreneurship. A lightning round moderated by Professor Alicia Hughes of the Southern University Law Center  featured early-stage research on patent law reforms, diversity in multinational corporations, and innovation strategies for minority-owned startups. Presenters included Jordi Goodman (law professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law), Mike Schuster (professor of legal studies at University of Georgia), Ina Ganguli (professor of economics at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst), Alessandra L. González (PhD student at Duke University), and Tabrez Ebrahim (professor of law at Lewis & Clerk Law School). The practice track focused on transiting into the patent profession. Braxton Davis (Meta, also of National Council on Patent Practicum (NCPP)) moderated a panel on the future of patent drafting and prosecution in the age of AI, with insights from Valencia Martin Wallace (USPTO), Greg Kirsch (Head of IP Practice at Smith, Gambrell, and Russell), and Kean DeCarlo (Partner at Womble Bond Dickinson). A fireside chat with Braxton Davis and Elaine Spector (Partner at Harrity & Harrity) addressed strategies for retaining talent in law firms. Closing Plenary and Reception The day concluded with a plenary session moderated by Paul R. Gugliuzza (professor of law at The University of Texas School of law), reflecting on the current state and future of diversity in innovation. Panelists included Lisa Nguyen (Partner at Paul Hastings), Farheena Rasheed (Deputy General Counsel for IP law at the USPTO), Katherine “Kassie” Helm (Partner at Dechert), Danielle Coleman (Senior Associate General Counsel for Global Litigation at VMWare), and Keith Robinson (professor of law at Wake Forest University). The collaboration between the National Council on Patent Practicum (NCCP) and Emory University has been instrumental in the program’s success. Braxton Davis, a key figure in this partnership, has played a pivotal role in transitioning engineers into the patent profession. NCPP is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, based in Atlanta, GA, which “ oversees  the development and operation of the Certified Patent Practitioner (CPP) program” which is a credential for individuals who have “demonstrated experience, proficiency, knowledge, and understanding of patent drafting and prosecution.” NCPP also runs a Patent Pipeline Program (PPP)  aimed at assisting engineers transitioning into the patent profession by providing training, mentorship, and placement support. The conference wrapped up with an NCPP graduation ceremony and a closing reception, which celebrated the achievements and ongoing efforts to build a more inclusive innovation ecosystem. The graduation marked a significant milestone in the journey of its graduates. This event not only highlighted the achievements of the graduates but also underscored the importance of inclusion in the innovation space. One Year On… The Innovator Diversity Pilots Conference underscored the importance of data-driven strategies, collaborative initiatives, and inclusive practices in shaping the future of innovation. By bringing together diverse voices and perspectives, the event fostered meaningful dialogue and laid the groundwork for continued progress in intellectual property and beyond. The conference sparked the writing of “ Inclusive Innovation in an Age of AI: Insights from the Innovator Diversity Pilots Initiative “ by Margo A. Bagley and Colleen Chien, which is expected to be published as a chapter of Inclusive Innovation in the Age of AI and Big Data , forthcoming from Oxford University Press in 2026. In that piece, the authors document how barriers to participation persist throughout the innovation lifecycle, from ideation to commercialization, with frictions such as social dynamics, institutional opacity, and systemic bias disproportionately impacting women and underrepresented minorities. Drawing from their work directing the Innovator Diversity Pilots Initiative, Bagley and Chien showcase how targeted interventions including education, mentorship, institutional process redesign, and public-private policy leadership can foster greater inclusivity. The authors explore AI’s potential as a supportive tool to bridge social gaps and enhance evaluation fairness, while cautioning that human relationships and institutional commitment remain central, emphasizing that AI should augment rather than replace the systemic changes needed to build truly inclusive innovation ecosystems. As Professor Margo A. Bagley of Emory Law reflects: “Of course, a lot has changed in the country and the world in relation to diversity and inclusion since the conference, and not, by and large, for the better. However, the importance of this work to our national competitiveness and to human flourishing has not diminished; if anything, the need is more compelling and urgent than ever.” Pooya Shoghi ADAPT Communications Team

ADAPT.legal was proud to collaborate on the recent "Brand Leadership: Trust in Action" event, a powerful evening that brought together thought leaders to explore how trust, mentorship, and authentic leadership shape our professional identities and careers. Organized by Ashley Cheung , Principal & Founder of Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG)  and member of ADAPT.legal 's Communications Committee, this event demonstrated the transformative power of collaboration. Partnering with ChIPs  DC Chapter, How Women Lead , and LegalOps.com , with sponsorships from Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone , Sterne Kessler , and Park IP  of WeLocalize , at a venue hosted by Baker Botts , the evening showcased what's possible when organizations unite around shared values. The Power of Collaborative Leadership The event reinforced a crucial lesson: collaboration and mentorship are fundamental to building brand leadership.   The panel, moderated by Melissa Cohen , LinkedIn’s top voice and personal brand strategist, featured many insights from panelists with strong brand leadership, including: Ashley Cheung  shared that reputation management goes beyond work output. She shared her lessons that a strong personal brand requires consistency, authenticity, and meaningful connections—key components of trust that underpin brand leadership. Michelle Heisner  from Baker McKenzie and Board Member of How Women Lead  emphasized that for women advancing into leadership, personal branding means being fierce advocates, visible, and supportive of others. Uplifting colleagues and amplifying collective voices builds trust and opens doors for more women to succeed. Professor Sasha Strauss  highlighted the importance of internal self-trust and brand mindfulness—aligning inner beliefs with external actions to foster authenticity and credibility. Monica Phillips  demonstrated how transparency and vulnerability strengthen relationships, showing that authenticity deepens trust and loyalty. Shawnna Hoffman  introduced Yellow Rock Theory, illustrating how maintaining stability and optimism during uncertainty fosters resilience. Ivy Estoesta  advocated for family-friendly policies, showing how genuine concern for others' well-being cultivates lasting loyalty. Ultimately, trust is mutual and sustained through active listening, support, transparency, and integrity. Leadership is about setting an example and nurturing relationships, not titles. By demonstrating vulnerability and aligning actions with core values, leaders foster environments where trust can thrive, empowering growth and innovation. Join Us: Professional Mentorship Program and Future Events The success of this event underscores why ADAPT.legal is committed to fostering connection and growth within the IP community. We invite you to: Participate in ADAPT.legal ’s Professional Mentorship Program : Whether as a mentor sharing your expertise or a mentee seeking guidance, mentorship is essential for developing authentic brand leadership. Join our program  to build meaningful relationships that advance careers and strengthen our community. Save the Date : Virtual Patent Gateway will be hosting another unique two-part event, “Guiding Success: Building Intergenerational Leadership” on St. Patrick's Day 2026 (March 17, 2026) in Washington, DC, with ADAPT.legal as one of many collaborating partners. Other collaborating partners include Sterne Kessler , Answers IP , LegalOps.com , HERizon , and Unified Patents . This next gathering will feature experiential learning opportunities, taking our exploration of trust and leadership to new interactive heights. The first portion of the program is an interview-style podcast with Melissa Haapala  and Natasha “Tash” Durkins . More details are to follow.  Authentic leadership rooted in trust creates ripple effects across culture, organizations, and society. Thank you to Ashley Cheung  from Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG)  and all our ADAPT.legal members for demonstrating that when we collaborate with purpose, we build something truly meaningful. Shirley Fung ADAPT Communications Team

When Dr. Rory Cooper enlisted in the Army at 17, he couldn’t have imagined that decades later, he’d be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Nor could he have predicted that a devastating accident would set him on a path to becoming one of the most influential inventors in assistive technology. But that’s exactly what happened. In a recent podcast hosted by Ashley Cheung of Virtual Patent Gateway and co-led by Shirley Fung of Akona IP and ADAPT, Dr. Cooper shared his extraordinary journey. From his early days recovering from a spinal cord injury to being a paralympian and founding the Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL) at the University of Pittsburgh, his story is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless curiosity. See the full podcast on YouTube here . “Good Ideas Can Come from Anyone” Dr. Cooper’s lab, HERL , is built on a simple but powerful philosophy: innovation thrives when diverse minds come together. “We work in teams of teams . . . physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, statisticians, and engineers of different types working together,” said Dr. Cooper. “We try to keep a fairly flat organization so that everybody has a chance to say something and contribute and feel like they’re heard.” This collaborative spirit is what led to groundbreaking inventions like the ergonomic push rim and the variable compliance joystick—technologies that have transformed mobility for countless wheelchair users around the world. But what makes Dr. Cooper’s work even more remarkable is how he’s used patents not to gatekeep innovation, but to unlock it. Patents with Purpose Dr. Cooper believes that intellectual property gives inventors the power to guide how their innovations are used. “Patents give you control,” he explained. “They let you make sure your invention is used for good.” That philosophy guided his decision to license a joystick technology royalty-free, ensuring it could be adopted by all wheelchair manufacturers—not just one. “Now that technology is pretty much used on all power wheelchairs in the entire world,” he noted. While many view patents primarily as a way to exclude others, Dr. Cooper demonstrates a different approach: using IP as a means to protect access and promote equity, not to restrict it. Advice for the Next Generation of Inventors Dr. Cooper offered age-tailored advice to aspiring inventors, with a focus on empathy, community, and purpose. For the youngest kids (K–3rd grade): “Try to solve a problem for your pet,” he said. It’s a simple way to spark empathy and creativity. For upper elementary students (4th–6th grade): “Try to solve a problem for your home, or for your grandparents, parents, brother, or sister.” What could make life easier for your family? For middle schoolers: “Work on something for your school, your church, or your community.” What could you improve? And for high schoolers: Now you’re ready to tackle bigger problems. He spoke of students who had built algae-powered mufflers to reduce emissions, or prosthetic arms with revolutionary drive trains—all before graduating high school. Some of these students are “probably already doing graduate-level work in the 11th grade,” he said, clearly inspired. Making the Patent System More Inclusive Dr. Cooper also spoke candidly about the barriers that keep many people—especially those from underrepresented communities—out of the patent system. “One of them is sort of a mental block about filing a patent,” he said, “how complex it is in the language you use.” And then there are the cost barriers, “both the attorney costs and the patent filing costs.” But he’s hopeful that tools like AI and more widespread pro bono legal support can help level the playing field. “AI is going to level that playing field quite a bit. Writing claims and an invention disclosure, and probably even a provisional patent, seems like a perfect target for generative AI.” A Mission Worth Supporting Want to be part of the innovation journey? You can support HERL by donating through the University of Pittsburgh’s Institutional Advancement office. Learn more here or follow HERL's facebook page . We’re deeply grateful to Ashley Cheung  and Virtual Patent Gateway for hosting this inspiring conversation, and to Shirley Fung  of Akona IP for representing ADAPT and helping spotlight Dr. Cooper’s mission. Dr. Cooper’s story is a powerful reminder that innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about people, purpose, and the courage to imagine a more inclusive future.

The student body of Calistoga High School, a Title I (low-income) school in California has been through a lot over the last several years. Many are second generation Americans who have witnessed first-hand the work their parents have put in to emigrate to this country and build a life for their families – many working early and long hours under the hot sun on farms and in fields. In 2020, their community was devastated by the Glass Fire that tore through wine country in northern California, the cleanup efforts of which are still ongoing in 2024. Lemelson-MIT’s InvenTeams Grant Initiative program, founded by Lemelson-MIT in 2003 to encourage high school students to invent “technological solutions to real-world problems in their community,” provided a way to contribute to both issues and make a meaningful impact on the place they live and the world around them. Led by their dedicated teacher, Heather Brooks, the 32 members of the Calistoga High School InvenTeam embarked on a mission to address the issues of excessive heat that they had seen up close affecting family members and first responders. They engaged with local residents, particularly firefighters and agricultural workers, to understand the impacts of extreme heat on those groups. This research inspired them to develop two prototypes for SMART wearable cooling devices, leveraging their skills in both engineering and design. Recognizing early on that protecting their ideas was vital to the ability of their inventions to help the community, the teens decided to apply for patents. They collaborated with Attorney Alisha Feustel from Akona IP, who guided them through the patent filing process.  Students Beatrix Webb, the CAD specialist, and Elias Escobar, the lead engineer, played pivotal roles in this endeavor. Thanks to the funding provided by an InvenTeam grant, the students were able to focus on their goal without financial constraints. "There was nobody ever saying, 'Oh, maybe we shouldn’t patent it,' it was only, 'what are we going to patent?'" Beatrix remarked. In October 2024, the California State Senate, through a unanimous bi-lateral vote, declared the first IP Awareness Month through Senate Resolution 106 (SR-106). In honor of this, the Michelson Institute for Intellectual Property  and the California IP Alliance  hosted a joint webinar featuring Webb, Escobar, and Feustel, who shared their experiences of turning ideas into inventions.  Feustel expressed her admiration for the students, saying, "I was really surprised at how patent-savvy and knowledgeable these students were." She praised the quality of their initial patent application draft and figures, which they taught themselves how to prepare, and noted their focus on solving real-world problems for the benefit of firefighters and agricultural workers. “It was an exceptional experience. The students are very knowledgeable…They know their technology.” The students' journey didn't end there. October also marked Hispanic Heritage Month, during which Escobar was invited to join Lemelson-MIT at the White House to speak about his experience with the InvenTeam. This recognition highlighted the significance of the Calistoga team’s work and the impact their ideas have had on their community. Reflecting on the process, Webb shared, "I feel more confident in myself now… It's made me more connected to the people around me, and it's given me a lot of opportunities to get my voice out there." Her words underscore the personal growth and empowerment that came from participating on the InvenTeam. When asked for advice for future InvenTeam participants, Webb enthusiastically responded, "If you like the process of making something new, you’re going to have fun!" Escobar echoed her sentiment, adding, "Just do it – it’s fun!" The story of Calistoga High School's InvenTeam is a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of its students. Through their dedication and hard work, they have not only created innovative solutions to pressing problems but also inspired their community and beyond. Their journey serves as a powerful reminder of the potential within every student to make a difference and the importance of supporting young innovators in their pursuits. Kate Duttera ADAPT Communications Committee

In the summer of 2024, Ericsson hosted its annual Girl Scout Alliance event, a day dedicated to inspiring young women to explore careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The event, held at Ericsson's corporate office, brought together high school Girl Scouts for a day filled with learning, networking, and hands-on activities designed to ignite their passion for STEM. The event kicked off with an introduction to Ericsson by Amy McCune, a senior leader at the company and a former Girl Scout herself. Amy shared her personal journey and emphasized the importance of STEM education, stating, "Tomorrow's STEM leadership starts today." She highlighted Ericsson's role in global connectivity through technologies like 4G, 5G, and the upcoming 6G, providing the girls with a baseline understanding of the company's impact on the world. Following Amy's inspiring talk, the girls participated in a workshop on the Design Thinking process, a method used to create innovative solutions for challenging problems. The workshop included a warm-up exercise where the girls brainstormed ideas for designing a doorbell, encouraging them to think creatively and technically. The main activity involved tackling real-world problems, such as increasing the representation of women in STEM and boosting the number of female inventors holding international patents. The girls worked in groups along with facilitators from Ericsson’s Intellectual Property Rights & Licensing (IPR&L) group to brainstorm, empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test their solutions, showcasing their impressive problem-solving skills. One of the standout moments of the day was the networking session led by Dennis Smith, a Regional Head of Ericsson’s Talent Acquisition team. Dennis shared valuable tips on how to network effectively, including how to make impactful introductions and build confidence in professional settings. The girls then had the opportunity to put their new skills to use during a networking Fika, a Swedish-style coffee break, where they mingled with Ericsson employees from various engineering and business units. This session allowed the girls to practice their networking skills in a real-world environment, further boosting their confidence and professional abilities. The event also included a tour of the Ericsson office, where the girls explored the facilities and enjoyed a break by the pond, complete with an opportunity to feed the resident turtles. This tour provided a glimpse into the corporate world and the day-to-day operations at Ericsson, making the experience both educational and enjoyable. Towards the end of the day, Jay Tatachar, another organizer of the event and an attorney in Ericsson’s IPR&L group, spoke to the girls about intellectual property (IP). Jay explained the different types of IP coverage, including patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets, and discussed the importance of IP in protecting innovative ideas. He also highlighted career opportunities in IP law, encouraging the girls to consider this path as a way to stay involved in STEM. Jay's talk was particularly impactful, as it introduced the girls to a lesser known but vital STEM career option. The event concluded with a debriefing session led by Technical Product Manager, Charla Brown, where the girls reflected on their experiences and shared their thoughts on the day's activities. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many girls expressing a newfound interest in STEM careers and appreciation for the opportunity to learn from industry professionals. Overall, the Ericsson Girl Scout Alliance event was a resounding success, providing young women with the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to pursue careers in STEM. The combination of engaging workshops, networking opportunities, and real-world insights made the event both impactful and memorable. With events like these, Ericsson is helping to pave the way for the next generation of female leaders in STEM, ensuring a brighter and more inclusive future for all. Kate Duttera ADAPT Communications Team