On Thursday 19 April, we were proud hosts of an American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) Women in IP Law Global Networking Event, in conjunction with IP Inclusive. Our Manchester office provided the backdrop to the evening which brought over 30 AIPLA members and other members of the local IP and Innovation community together to celebrate women working in IP in the North West.
As an AIPLA Women in IP Law Sub-Committee member and an IP Inclusive: Women in IP Committee member, it was my pleasure to welcome guests to the event. We learned more about AIPLA and its work, watching this year’s video and through conversation. We also talked about IP Inclusive, an IP-industry led initiative to promote diversity and inclusion in IP-related professions in the UK.
This event was one of over 60 taking place across the world, as part of the AIPLA annual global networking community, and is the 11th annual event. The European locations hosting events were joined together on a conference call and each shared how they were celebrating Women in IP in their city.
We took the opportunity to support the UK charity Smart Works by running a clothing drive on the evening. Smart Works helps women in need back into employment by providing high-quality interview clothes, styling advice and interview training. Guests and Mewburn Ellis colleagues were invited to donate interview appropriate clothing to this great cause and we received a fantastic number of items.
There was a gin theme to the evening, centred around the Mewburn Ellis pop-up gin bar. Guests were invited to sample a range of interesting gins and non-alcoholic spirits whilst our private cocktail barman recommended tonics and fruit pairings.
Thank you to all those who attended on the evening and a special thanks to those who donated to Smart Works.
This blog was originally written by Sarah Kostiuk-Smith
