Women's Committee
This committee develops initiatives to encourage more women to get involved in PTAB practice and in the Association, including in leadership positions. This committee also supports the USPTO’s women’s initiatives including its Network of Executive Women. This committee is expected to coordinate with other committees, including the Membership Committee, Diversity Committee, and the Young Lawyers/Agents Committee.
Join us: womens.committee@ptabbar.org
| Alice Ho | Shannon Lentz | Lauren Robinson | Deborah Yellin | Jean Nguyen | Alissa Green |
| Committee Co-Chair | Committee Co-Chair | Committee Vice-Chair | Committee Vice-Chair | Committee Vice-Chair | Committee Vice-Chair |
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Committee Webinars and Events
The PTAB Bar Association's committees regularly host free presentations for Association members. If you would like to become a member of the PTAB Bar Association, please visit Membership Information - PTAB Bar Association.
The PTAB Bar Association Women's Committee hosted or partnered on the following events:
- On July 16, 2025, the PTAB Bar Association’s Diversity, Women’s, and Young Lawyers & Agents Committees, hosted a “Speed Mentoring” event to connect newer practitioners with those who are more experienced, stimulate productive conversations, and provide an avenue to form effective mentoring relationships. The event provided a forum for open conversation between newer and more experienced practitioners, while giving everyone a chance to connect with different people. The program was moderated by Connor Scholes from Jones Day and facilitated by Ellyar Barazesh of Baker Botts and Thomas Yeh of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton.
- On June 2, 2025, the Women’s Committee of the PTAB Bar Association co-hosted an informal rooftop gathering with the Women in IP Network-DC (WIN-DC) in Washington, DC. Women patent practitioners from both private and public sectors attended the event and exchanged ideas about current opportunities and challenges in the practice. We were also excited to welcome several women summer associates interested in the practice of patent law, sharing insights, encouragement, and real-world perspectives on building a meaningful career in intellectual property. The evening fostered a spirit of mentorship and collaboration, highlighting the importance of community and support in advancing women’s leadership in the field.
- The Women’s Committee and the Diversity Committee of the PTAB Bar Association and the American Association of Patent Judges hosted an evening of networking and discussion about the experiences of some of the first women judges at the PTAB on November 7, 2024, at the National Inventor Hall of Fame Museum at the USPTO Headquarters. Moderated by Hon. Lynne Browne, along with panelists Hon. Adriene Hanlon, Hon. Joan Ellis (Ret.), and Hon. Catherine Timm, attendees learned from women judges as they shared their inspiring stories of overcoming challenges, demonstrating resilience, and rising to new heights in their remarkable journeys!
