Elon University / Today at Elon / U.S. Patent & Trademark Office officials make visit to Elon Law
Deputy Director Derrick Brent of the United States Patent & Trademark Business office spoke with pupils about the great importance of networking and the career prospects to be observed in intellectual home legislation.
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A top official with the United States Patent & Trademark Business office visited Elon Law this month for a tour and to discuss with learners about the significance of constructing lifelong, meaningful connections with individuals they meet all through their occupations.
Derrick Brent, deputy director of the USPTO, inspired pupils to pursue encounters exterior the places of legislation they intend to observe. A concentrate on a person observe region is useful, he said, but possessing a broader background can make you a much better legal professional.
Brent accompanied Elizabeth L. Dougherty, the USPTO’s eastern regional outreach director, for a stop by to Greensboro on April 6, 2023, as section of a bigger tour of legislation universities and small business corporations throughout North Carolina. With each other, the duo encouraged additional than two dozen Elon Legislation learners to think about careers in the federal federal government and to investigate profession alternatives with the patent and trademark business office further than work as a patent examiner.
Brent also praised Elon Law’s Small Company and Entrepreneurship Clinic for its effect on the area. Getting intellectual assets assistance in clinics in legislation educational institutions not only teaches students, he explained, but it can help communities and tiny corporations.
Krista Contino Saumby, Elon Law’s associate director of job improvement, moderated the discussion.
“Many regulation pupils only see lawyers on Television and films and feel being a litigator suggests remaining in the courtroom. Most attorneys by no means step foot in one particular,” she explained. “Having men and women like Deputy Director Brent communicate with our pupils enables them to recognize the profession beyond their classes and to make educated choices about their careers.
“And it’s good for learners to hear from another person with Deputy Director Brent’s breadth and depth of practical experience that they are first placement likely won’t be their last, and that obtaining a legislation diploma opens up so several more job opportunities than they recognized.”
Brent serves today as deputy undersecretary of commerce for intellectual property and deputy director of the United States Patent and Trademark Workplace exactly where he manages a extensive portfolio of packages and operations for 1 of the biggest mental home places of work in the entire world.
His tasks incorporate working with Director Kathi Vidal to guide the USPTO, progress IP plan and methods for the advantage of the nation, increase the USPTO’s outreach efforts to incentivize and help much more innovation and entrepreneurship nationwide, and execute the agency’s insurance policies, priorities, and packages.
Brent has served in all 3 branches of the federal federal government. In addition to six several years of do the job as a chief counsel to Sen. Barbara Boxer in the U.S. Senate, the place he was responsible for a wide portfolio that incorporated IP and constitutional problems, civil rights, telecommunications, and judicial nominations, Brent clerked for the Hon. Algenon L. Marbley, Main Choose of the U.S. District Court docket for the Southern District of Ohio.
He litigated in personal practice in Ohio right before working as a senior demo legal professional for the U.S. Section of Justice, Civil Legal rights Division.
Prior to signing up for the USPTO, he served on the management team of Lower Golf, an early-stage golf machines and attire corporation. Brent supplied important counsel, investigation, and challenge management to the founders on a assortment of issues, together with IP, contracts, internet marketing/advertising and marketing, organization enhancement, structure/functionality investigation, and provide chain management, resulting in continual revenue and shopper foundation progress for award-successful products.
Brent received a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from The Ohio Point out University and a Juris Doctor from Northwestern University.
Student Reflections on the Visit
- “I’m grateful to Deputy Director Brent and to the USPTO for coming in and talking to us. As anyone who does not have a science track record, it was awesome to study a lot more about the spots of intellectual assets regulation that I can still pursue. The most crucial classes I took absent from Deputy Director Brent had been to encompass myself with fantastic colleagues, immerse myself in the marketplace, and to use legislation school as a tool to examine as several apply regions as probable.” – Sydney T. “Kofi” Ladans L’23
- “The discussion with Deputy Director Derrick Brent was extremely beneficial and effective. He was capable to demystify a good deal of myths about pursuing a vocation in IP and give simple tips for long run lawyers. As a regulation student who doesn’t come from a difficult science track record, I most normally listen to about ‘not currently being capable to do IP.’ It was reassuring to hear that this business has opportunities for lawyers with all backgrounds, specially as systems like AI and NFTs increase and improve all areas of IP, not just patents.” – KimberMarie Faircloth L’23