BakerHostetler Joins Initiative to Increase Diversity in Patent Field

BakerHostetler is a founding participant in the Patent Pipeline Program (PPP) recently launched by Facebook in partnership with the nonprofit the National Council on Patent Practicum (NCPP) and is designed to increase the number of women and minorities within the patent profession.

"We are excited to join this important initiative," said Counsel Cory Davis, a patent attorney in BakerHostetler's IP Group. "Given the number of underrepresented women and minorities in the patent profession, the time is past due for change, and this program is a tremendous step in the right direction. Our firm believes in being proactive in promoting diversity at all levels, and our Intellectual Property Group is proud to join Facebook in providing an opportunity to include more women and minority professionals in the patent field."

Successful candidates will participate in a patent training program provided by NCPP, Facebook, BakerHostetler, and the law firm FisherBroyles. At the conclusion of the six-month program, BakerHostetler has committed to hiring at least one of the NCPP-certified graduates as a technical specialist or patent agent.

Facebook's Patent, Licensing and Open Source team, along with the NCPP, launched the initiative to encourage greater diversity among the ranks of patent agents and technical specialists. Program participants will have the opportunity to work closely with in-house and private practice attorneys to learn the mechanics of patent drafting and prosecution and to understand the business insights that drive a company's patent strategy.

IBM also announced that it will join the program, and Facebook is looking for more law firms to become sponsors who are willing to take the Patent Pipeline Pledge enabling students to attend the no-cost NCPP program, or to become champions who commit to offering a two-year term of employment to NCPP-certified graduates.

More information about the Patent Pipeline Program.

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