Banner Witcoff has selected four law students as the 2019 recipients of the Donald W. Banner Diversity Fellowship. Created by the firm to strengthen diversity and inclusion in the field of intellectual property law, the fellowship provides recipients with $5,000 for law school tuition or other school-related expenses.
The 2019 recipients are:
- Robert Chou, a second-year law student at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. He earned his undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering from University of Texas.
- Rebecca Ding, a second-year law student at The George Washington University Law School. She graduated from Peking University with a degree in electric engineering and computer science.
- Emily M. Ross, a first-year law student at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. She earned her undergraduate degree in general engineering from Harvey Mudd College.
- Alessandra Schaszberger, a first-year law student at American University Washington College of Law. She graduated from Columbia University with a degree in biomedical engineering.
All four will participate in the firm’s upcoming summer associate program. Robert and Emily will be based in Banner Witcoff’s Chicago office, and Rebecca and Alessandra will work in the Washington, D.C., office.
“We are honored to reward these four outstanding law students for their contributions and commitment to the field of intellectual property law. We are equally honored they expressed an interest in joining our team,” Banner Witcoff President Andy Mu said. “We look forward to watching their careers and continuing our dedication to diversity through The Donald W. Banner Diversity Fellowship.”
The Donald W. Banner Diversity Fellowship is open to law students who identify as members of a historically underrepresented group in intellectual property law and meet certain criteria, including academic merit, a commitment to the pursuit of a career in the field, and demonstrated leadership qualities.
Donald W. Banner (1924-2006) — the namesake of the fellowship and firm — was a leader in the field of patent law. A former U.S. Commissioner ofPatents and Trademarks, he was chairman of the American Bar Association Section of Intellectual Property Law, president of the American Intellectual Property Law Association, a founding member of the Association of Corporate Patent Counsel, president of the International Patent and Trademark Association, co-founder and president of the Intellectual Property Owners Association and director of The John Marshall Law School Center for Intellectual Property Law.
Posted: May 9, 2019
