Women to Watch

Woman to Watch 2023 coming soon!

The Women in IP Committee of the AIPLA is pleased to announce Rakhi Nikhanj as a 2022 Woman to Watch!

The Women to Watch Series was established by the Women in IP Committee as an avenue to recognize women within the AIPLA community for excellence and accomplishments. Through a peer-nomination process, the Women to Watch Series strives to honor women who have created their own paths, who lead through strong examples, and who are achieving successes as a result of their choices and leadership, but who may not be widely known in the AIPLA community.

We are pleased to introduce Rakhi Nikhanj, in her own words:

Years working in IP: 15 years

Years with current organization: 4 years

Current location: Minneapolis, MN

Current role: Shareholder at Mueting Raasch Group

What I do: I focus on patent issues for corporate clients, including obtaining patent protection through drafting and prosecuting patent applications, clearance analysis, patent portfolio management, and post grant proceedings. I also assist in managing the prosecution of international patent application families. My work spans a vast array of technological areas including medical devices such as cardiac rhythm management devices, medical device software, high technology filters, material science, hazardous material handling, sensor devices, acoustics, device venting, radio frequency and other communication systems, packaging, construction technology, and waste treatment.

I am also a volunteer for the Patent Pro Bono Program through the LegalCORPS Inventor Assistance Program since 2012. Through that work I represent independent inventors before the U.S. Patent Office in the filing and prosecuting of patent applications. I am also on the Screening Committee and review the incoming invention disclosures to match an inventor with volunteer services. Until recently I additionally taught a quarterly class on patent law for pro se inventors through this program. In 2016 I was the recipient of the LegalCORPS Volunteer of the Year Award, and I received the Patent Pro Bono Achievement Certificate from the USPTO for my contributions in 2021. 

Previous roles: I served on the board of the Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association (MIPLA) from 2016 to 2022, including the presidency in 2020-2021. For five of those years I also planned and organized the MIPLA Stampede, an annual day long IP-focused CLE event with speakers from all over the world. 
 
Years and involvement with AIPLA: I got involved in AIPLA because my friend, Yelena Morozova, took a bit of a leap of faith and asked me to teach the Responding to Office Actions Workshop for the 2017 AIPLA Patent Prosecution Boot Camp. I had never considered participating in AIPLA before then, but that was the push I needed to join. I ve been teaching the workshop annually since then. In AIPLA I served as the Liaison Manager for the Diversity Committee and as a member of the Planning Committee for the 2019 Spring Meeting. I also spoke at the 2019 AIPLA Annual Meeting on fixing mistakes in patent application filings. 
 
Q.  What was the best professional decision you ever made?
A.  Joining Mueting Raasch Group   a highly respected firm that has an equitable path to becoming a shareholder and that allows for a reasonable work-life balance. The shareholders have championed me to facilitate developing my professional relationships, both old and new, which has been overwhelming and amazing. And because of that decision to join Mueting Raasch Group, I have the likes of AIPLA superstars Ann Mueting and Brian Whipps as partners and colleagues who have helped me navigate AIPLA. 
 
Q.  What was the worst professional decision you ever made?
A.  Saying  yes  to commitments in professional organizations simply because I was excited and theoretically capable, rather than saying yes because I had the actual time to execute on them. As a result, I spent a couple of years being overcommitted and unable to get everything done. I am better at saying  no  now. 
 
Q.  What would you consider your greatest professional achievement so far?
A. Becoming a shareholder. It is hard to become a shareholder at a law firm at all, let alone for (1) a woman of color at (2) a patent prosecution boutique. I feel so lucky to have been able to develop the network and the client relationships necessary to obtain a shareholder role. 
 
Q.  In your opinion, what could women be doing better to advance their careers?
A.  Let it be known that I am fighting every urge to evade the question and instead call out those who have not been advancing women while I say this: 
(1) Bet on an organization that is likely to advance you. Decide where to place your bet based on data rather than the optimistic words coming out of someone s mouth.
(2) Help the people in your network. Elevate them and celebrate them. What goes around, comes around; but also, elevating your network elevates you. 
(3) Contribute in ways that are visible. If they are not visible, then make them visible by telling everyone about it! 
 
Q.  What is the best advice you have received?
A.   Stop being so insecure. 

More about Rakhi:
 
If they bottled my personality, the label would read:
Bubbly & energetic

Something I said I d never do, but did anyway:
Becoming a shareholder at a law firm! Early in my career I actually thought that I didn t want it. 

One thing people are surprised to find out about me:
I have a cabin in the woods in Wisconsin that I rent out on Airbnb.

Rakhi Nikhanj

Shareholder

Mueting Raasch Group

Minneapolis, MN

The Women in IP Committee of the AIPLA is pleased to announce Stephanie L. Dowdy as a Woman to Watch!

The Women to Watch Series was established by the Women in IP Committee as an avenue to recognize women within the AIPLA community for excellence and accomplishments. Through a peer-nomination process, the Women to Watch Series strives to honor women who have created their own paths, who lead through strong examples, and who are achieving successes as a result of their choices and leadership, but who may not be widely known in the AIPLA community.

We are pleased to introduce Stephanie Dowdy, in her own words: 

Years working in IP: 10 years 

Years with current organization: 10 years 

Current location: Frisco, TX        

Current role:  Associate Attorney

What I do:

I help clients protect their intellectual property, through both patent prosecution and IP litigation.  My prosecution work includes both mechanical and electrical/controls technologies.  I work with clients in the automotive, firearm, HVAC, consumer product, watch, and robotics industries.  My litigation experience spans across all types of IP and technologies, from sporting goods, medical devices, automotive technologies, and computer software, to home goods and building supplies.

Previous roles: 

Before becoming an IP Attorney, I was a Patent Agent at Harness Dickey while attending law school.  Before law school, I was an automotive engineer working in engine controls.

Years and involvement with AIPLA: 

I joined AIPLA during law school in 2010.  I have been actively involved with AIPLA since 2018.  I have organized and hosted the annual AIPLA Women in IP Global Networking Event in North Texas since 2019.

Q.  What was the best professional decision you ever made?

A.  After finishing a BS in Mechanical Engineering and working for five years in the automotive industry, I decided to go to law school.  I actually ended up getting my J.D. and an MBA through a dual degree program.  I love that I am able to combine my technical background with my legal expertise to secure and protect my clients’ intellectual property.  Plus, my MBA gives me a unique perspective on the business aspect of intellectual property and allows me to assist clients in making business decisions related to IP and convert IP into a commercial asset.

Q.  What was the worst professional decision you ever made?

A.  Underestimating myself.  There was a time in my career when I should have been more assertive about asking for what I wanted.

Q.  What would you consider your greatest professional achievement so far?

A.  After moving to Frisco, TX at the end of 2016, I hosted the North Texas AIPLA Women IP Global Networking Event for the first time in April 2019.  When I started planning our event, I had only lived in the area for about 2 years (one of which was spent pregnant and on maternity leave after the birth of my second son).  I did not know many women in Texas.  Through this event I developed several connections which led to additional opportunities for professional growth.  For example, I was asked and presented at the CAIL Annual Conference on IP Law in November 2020 and was invited and participated in the ChIPs Mock Pitch Program the following December.  

Q.  In your opinion, what could women be doing better to advance their careers?

A.  Women could be taking more risks and saying yes to every opportunity, even if they don’t think they are ready or totally qualified.  I think that women tend to check all of the qualification boxes before applying for a new job or taking on a new role.  If you see something you want out there, go for it.  Even if you don’t have every box checked.  Chances are, you are just as qualified as everyone else who is applying.

Q.  What is the best advice you have received?

A.  No one in the workplace cares about your career more than you do.  You need to take responsibility for your career path and get yourself to the finish line.  While it is great to have mentors and cheerleaders along the way, you cannot rely on anyone else to fulfill your dreams for you.

More about Stephanie:

If they bottled my personality, the label would read:

Invested

Warning: Extreme sarcasm may ensue.

Something I said I’d never do, but did anyway:

Let my kids eat popcorn and ice cream for dinner so I can finish writing a legal brief.

One thing people are surprised to find out about me:

I coach my oldest son’s basketball and baseball teams.  I am also involved with the State Fair of Texas Livestock Committee.  I find that volunteering my time to help youth is one of the most refreshing and rewarding experiences.  I love how optimistic, creative, and honest kids can be.

The Women in IP Committee of the AIPLA is pleased to announce Malaika Tyson as a 2020 Woman to Watch!

The Women to Watch Series was established by the Women in IP Committee as an avenue to recognize women within the AIPLA community for excellence and accomplishments. Through a peer-nomination process, the Women to Watch Series strives to honor women who have created their own paths, who lead through strong examples, and who are achieving successes as a result of their choices and leadership, but who may not be widely known in the AIPLA community.

We are pleased to introduce Malaika Tyson, in her own words:

Years working in IP: 11

Years with current organization: 11

Current location: Chicago, IL  

Current role: Shareholder

What I do: My practice focuses on corporate intellectual property and patent protection strategies. I assist innovative companies and universities in developing integrated approaches to the strategic management of intellectual property by providing patent and trademark prosecution, competitive intellectual property analysis and portfolio management, and management of complex multi-faceted intellectual property transactions.

Previous roles: Senior Research and Development Scientist at Sigma-Aldrich Biotechnology

Years and involvement with AIPLA: 10 years – I became involved with AIPLA as a law student. Shortly after becoming an attorney, I continued my involvement with the organization by serving on several committees.

Q.  What was the best professional decision you ever made?

A.  Switching careers. When I entered the workforce after completing my Ph.D., I never thought I would change my career. I have always loved science and knew it would be my chosen profession. However, as I saw a life science company's corporate side, I  became interested in how the business development team mixed legal, technical, and business aspects when forming decisions. After learning more about this corporate side, I decided to switch from bench scientist to patent attorney.

Q.  What was the worst professional decision you ever made?

A.  Assuming that my good work would be recognized. Early in my scientific career, I would just put my head down, stay quiet, and do good work, hoping that my manager would recognize my effort. However, mid-way into my career, I was asked to split my time between two groups (and two managers). After my first review, I quickly realized that I had to advocate for myself by speaking up about my successes. I've since taken that approach into my legal career and have worked to be my own best advocate.

Q.  What would you consider your greatest professional achievement so far?

A.  Being elevated to equity partner. Less than 2% of attorneys admitted to the patent bar are Black, and less than 1% of all law firm partners are Black women; this number is even smaller when considering only equity partners. I'm also proud of the relationships I've built with my clients, especially my entrepreneurial and start-up clients. Through this collaborative relationship, I've helped many clients develop high valued patent portfolios.

Q.  In your opinion, what could women be doing better to advance their careers?

A.  Be your own best advocate – ask questions, do not be afraid to speak up and speak out (and know when to say "no"), celebrate your successes, position yourself to identify opportunities, and find mentors and sponsors who can help to advance your career.

Q.  What is the best advice you have received?

A. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

More about Malaika:

If they bottled my personality, the label would read:

Delightful, Seasoned, Savvy, and Accessible

Something I said I'd never do, but did anyway:

Go to law school.

One thing people are surprised to find out about me:

That I am a hard cider blogger, and I've written articles for several cider publications.