Join Us in our Efforts to Advance Racial and Ethnic Diversity in IP Law.
The Foundation’s Mission is to offer career-preparation, career-readiness, and career-advancement support to individuals who identify as members of racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in the intellectual property law profession in the United States.
The Foundation’s Programs work toward:
- Recruiting individuals who identify as members of racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in the IP law profession 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 individuals identifying as members of racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in the IP law profession 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 identifying as members of racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in the IP law profession in the United States.
Are You a Scientist or Engineer With an Interest in Law School?
Apply for Recognition as a Sidney B. Williams, Jr Scholar
Applications are now being accepted from STEM-trained individuals who identify as members of a racial or ethnic group and who have an interest in exploring a career in patent law in the United States. Applicants must be seeking or prepared to seek 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.
Are You a STEM-Educated Law Student Interested in Either Patent Law or Another Field of IP Law?
Apply for Recognition as a Name Fellow
Applications are now being accepted from STEM-educated law students with an interest in a career in IP law who are completing their 1L course of study at an ABA-accredited law school. Get coaching and mentoring assistance during your 2L and 3L course of study.
Are You Affiliated With a Bar/Trade Group, Company, or Law Firm?
We partner with organizations—bar/trade groups, law firms, and companies—to fulfill our mission and support our partners’ DEI efforts. 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 accelerate and advance diversity in the intellectual property law profession.
Among the ways that you, your organization, or other members of your organization may help are by becoming financial contributor, a mentor to our Scholars and Fellows, a Sponsoring Employer in our Clerkship Program, a Partner Liaison with your organization, a member of one of our program committees, or a Foundation Trustee.
Partner with the Foundation to Advance Your Organization's DEI Initiatives