Did you know you can practice patent law with or without a law degree?

Patent Pathways™ is a Diversity & Inclusion Program dedicated to increasing numbers of registered African-American/Black women patent practitioners through free, virtual education, practical exercises, and financial support. The goal is to provide each participant with the tools to take and pass the patent bar and begin their pathway into a career in patent law.

All patent bar expenses will be paid for each participant, and classes will occur in evenings to accommodate existing work and study schedules, made possible by the generosity of our program partners and sponsors. Future iterations of the program will focus on other underrepresented demographics.

We are currently accepting applicants with Category A Engineering and Computer Science degrees only for the January 2024 rotation.

Patent law is an aspect of intellectual property law and typically involves analyzing whether an invention qualifies for a patent, obtaining rights for patent protection through the patent application process, and enforcing patent rights against patent infringers.

Participants must have graduated with a Category A Engineering or Computer Science degree as defined by the USPTO by January 2024 to participate. We are not accepting Life & Physical Science applicants at this time, but will likely do so in the future.

Virtual Sessions: 1-2 hours per week (one or two days per week depending on the section of the program)

Patent Bar Examination Preparation Independent Study: 20+ hours per week*

Patent Preparation and Patent Prosecution Assignments: ~5 hours per week depending on the assignment

*Please note that patent bar examination preparation does not overlap with other sections of the program.

All classes will be held virtually and in the evenings, so that you can continue to work and/or study during the day and attend the program afterwards.