Join Us in our Efforts to Advance Diversity in IP Law. 

The Foundation’s Mission is to offer career-preparation, career-readiness, and career-advancement support to diversity-minded individuals who are interested in the patent law profession in the United States.

The Foundation’s Programs work toward:

  • Recruiting diversity-minded individuals to consider exploring careers in patent law and other areas of IP law.
  • Providing career-preparation and career-readiness support, as well as financial support, to diversity-minded individuals who demonstrate an interest in a career in IP law.
  • Accelerating the development of a more diverse IP professional community through networking, counseling, and mentoring efforts aimed at fostering career advancement of individuals with an interest in the advancement of diversity in the patent law profession in the United States.

Are You a Scientist or Engineer With an Interest in Law School?

Sidney B. Williams, Jr Scholar Program— Applications are now being accepted from STEM-trained individuals with an interest in the advancement of diversity-minded individuals that are underrepresented in the patent law profession in the United States. Applicants must be seeking admission to an ABA-accredited law school.

Applicants who are recognized as Scholars qualify for career-preparation and career-readiness assistance. Scholar Program benefits include financial, coaching, and mentoring assistance during the law school admissions process, as well as throughout the Scholar's law school education. Scholars are also eligible for consideration to receive $30,000 tuition grant awards.

Apply for Recognition as a Sidney B. Williams, Jr. Scholar

What Role Can You Play — or Your Company or Your Law Firm?

Join us and our founding organizations–the American Intellectual Property Association, the Section on Intellectual Property Law of the American Bar Association, the Minority Corporate Counsel Association, and Johnson & Johnson–to advance diversity in the intellectual property law profession. We partner with members of our founding organizations, and with law firms and companies, to fulfill our mission and support your efforts at advancing diversity and inclusion.

Among the ways that you may help are by becoming financial contributor,  a mentor to our Scholars, a Sponsoring Employer in our Scholar Internship/Clerkship Program, a Partner Liaison with your organization, a member of one of our working committees, or a Foundation Trustee.