Alt Legal IP News – Issue #38
Hannah Samendinger | May 16, 2017
For this week’s digest, we are collaborating with MothersEsquire, a wonderful organization founded by an Alt Legal customer, Michelle Browning Coughlin of Cahill IP. MothersEsquire is working not only for gender equality but also to disrupt the motherhood penalty in the legal industry. Visit their site to learn more about the organization and to join their cause (no children required)!
Follow MothersEsquire on Twitter
The Motherhood Penalty
– What is the motherhood penalty? In short, it is the effect that having children has on a woman’s career. As the name implies, it isn’t a positive effect; it’s worse pay.
– My collaborator for the week, Michelle, recently did a great interview on creating a mom- (and dad-) friendly practice. Also, here’s a great video where attorneys discuss balancing work and motherhood.
– At least one firm, Davis Polk, is taking steps to embrace mothers in the workplace.
– The gender pay gap is largely because of motherhood and the motherhood penalty.
– Mothers and pregnant women are also often denied very basic accommodations like breastfeeding at the workplace and events. If you are hosting or involved with an event, consider reaching out to Michelle to get information on setting up such a space. It’s a small act that can make a tremendous difference!
Read more about the motherhood penalty, women in the law, and how you can work with MothersEsquire on our blog.
Regularly Scheduled Programming
– The lawyer from the “Blurred Lines” lawsuit is back with a lawsuit over the song “Turn Down for What.”
– The USPTO has pledged to take on the growing number of fraudulent solicitation scams.
– A trademark application for “So Called President” was refused for being a common slogan. Check out the office action here.
– Some members of Ropes and Gray discussed the potential implications of the pending Supreme Court case of Impression Products v. Lexmark International. In other Supreme Court news, many people think SCOTUS shouldn’t hear the Dancing Baby dispute.
– Conan is going to trial over alleged joke stealing.
– The Office of the United States Trade Representative released it’s “Special 301” Report detailing how IP is and is not being protected around the world.
Odds and Ends
– The American Bar Association has launched an Implicit Bias Initiative, which can help combat some of the disparities highlighted above.
– Legal leaders are working to pave pathways to success for black women in the law.
– Another area where women are missing is the silver screen. This report used data and technology to create a very interesting read.
– There are fewer Australian CEOs that are women than there are CEOs named John. Or Peter. Or David.
– Just for laughs: Nevertheless, He Persisted: Tales of Masculine Perseverance.