Diversity


Policy Statement of the PTAB Bar Association Regarding
Diversity and Inclusion

The PTAB Bar Association hereby affirms its ongoing commitment to encourage diversity of thought and perspective through the recruitment, retention, and mentorship of diverse lawyers and law students for active involvement in the overall mission and leadership of the Association, and within the legal community as a whole.  This includes, but is not limited to, diversity based on race, religion, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and age. The Association recognizes that our organization is stronger, more effective, and more capable of fulfilling the purpose and vision set forth in the Association Charter if we embrace diversity and inclusion.  The PTAB Bar Association hereby affirms that promoting and advancing diversity and inclusion within the organization remains one of the core member values of the organization.
 
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The PTAB Bar Association Diversity Committee is finalizing the 2024 Diversity Committee Survey, and we are asking for your cooperation.

Last year, we embarked on a mission to identify and recognize the top diverse practitioners appearing before the PTAB. With your invaluable support, we made significant progress towards our goal of compiling a report highlighting the Top 100 Diverse Practitioners in this domain.

Diversity encompasses a multitude of dimensions, and for our report, we are considering diversity in terms of racial/ethnic representation, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, and military service.

If you are an eligible individual and are interested in contributing to this report, please contact the PTAB Bar Association Diversity Committee at diversity.committee@ptabbar.org .  If you know of someone that is eligible and would be interested, please forward this request to them. If your organization includes a designated diversity administrator, please provide their contact information to us.

We deeply respect individuals' preferences regarding participation and identification in such reports and understand if some may choose not to partake. We will not include anyone without a confirmation of their willingness to participate and the criteria under which they are comfortable being identified. 

If you have any questions regarding the Diversity Committee Survey, please contact diversity.committee@ptabbar.org.
 
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The PTAB Bar Association is committed to engaging on all different aspects of diversity and dedicates a session at each Annual Conference to delve into diversity, equity, and inclusion topics relevant to practice before the PTAB. 
 
Recently, the PTAB Bar Association hosted or partnered on the following events, with the Diversity Committee of the Association leading the charge on planning and/or executing these events:
  • On February 23, 2023, the Program Committee hosted a Webinar, Veterans Before the PTAB and in IP: A Discussion of Veterans as a Diverse Constituency Appearing Before the PTAB.  Click here to access a recording of the presentation.  The PowerPoint from the presentation can be found here. 
  • On June 6, 2023, the Diversity Committee and PTAB Bar Association sponsored an event hosted by Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG),  Emerging Trends and DEIA Topics: Insights into Building an Inclusive Workforce
  • On September 6, 2023, the Diversity Committee and PTAB Bar Association sponsored an event hosted by Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG),   Women Practitioners’ Viewpoint:  What Does it Take to be PTAB Whisperers? 
  • On November 2, 2023, the Diversity Committee hosted an in-person Meet Up in Washington, DC with about 50 attendees, including around 10 members of the PTAB (including judges and law clerks).  This event was sponsored by Allen & Overy, ArentFox Schiff, Crowell & Moring, Finnegan, Fish & Richardson, Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone, Michael Best, Perkins Coie, and Virtual Patent Gateway.  Click here to see view photos and videos from the event. 
 
In addition, the Diversity Committee of the PTAB Bar Association has continued its Diverse Practitioner Spotlight initiative on social media platforms.  Visit the PTAB Bar Association’s LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages to see the recently spotlighted practitioner. 
 
For more information on the PTAB Bar Association Diversity Committee,
visit Diversity Committee - PTAB Bar Association or contact diversity.committee@ptabbar.org