Check Out Photos from the Seattle Women in IP Law Dinner hosted by Knobbe Martens

April 26 – May 9: Chapter 6: Forming Your Own Board of Directors

Strategic relationships are often as important and sometime more important than one’s own capabilities and credentials. By utilizing networking and building connections and relationships with decision makers, you have the opportunity to learn from them and rely on them to mentor you. Establishing your own informal “board of directors” allows you to really focus on those relationships that can really have an impact on your career.

Question: How comfortable are you reaching out to others for advice and support? What techniques are available to increase your comfort level and improve your ability to showcase your skills?

Question: Should your network of contacts be limited to professional contacts or include personal contacts as well?

Question: How does one identify the people that should be in your network and on your board of directors?

Question: What techniques are most effective for reaching out to strangers for assistance?

Women in IP Law Committee Liaisons (submitted by Shannon Grace Stevens, Esq.)

The Women in IP Law Committee has been especially active in building and maintaining a team of energetic liaisons to the other AIPLA Committees, strengthening inter-committee communication and teamwork. Liaisons are members of the WIPL committee who are also active members of another AIPLA committee and are willing to bring news from each to the other. Committee leadership is not required, nor is dedicated attendance at every AIPLA meeting. Liaisons should be on all committee mailing lists and be dedicated to actively liaising between their committees. Because very few AIPLA members attend every meeting or reads every announcement, the WIPL committee would ideally have two liaisons to each of the other AIPLA committees. Some committees are popular and are frequently requested. Interested members will determine their committee assignments in conjunction with WIPL leadership, ensuring sustained interest in the post and even distribution of liaisons to other committees. Liaisons volunteer for two-year stints.


Volunteering as a liaison is a great way to begin an active involvement in the AIPLA and is very often the first step to leadership positions in this organization. It does not require a lot of time or energy, but it does give you a reason to pay attention to the things going on in committees. Once you begin really listening to what the committees are saying, you are sure to find a place where you and your particular talents are needed. AIPLA is truly built on its committees and the activities they undertake. The Women in IP Law invite you to get more involved in this committee by becoming a liaison today. If you're interested or would like to discuss this more, email Carey Jordan, chair, Alyson Barker, co-chair, and Shannon Stevens, liaison coordinator. We're happy to have you.

ccjordan@mwe.com
barkera@howrey.com
sstevens@vantage-partners.com

Book Club April 12- April 25: Chapters 4 and 5: Embracing Good Enough and Making the Break

Perfectionism can be an early source of success that turns into a major sticky floor. Recognizing how to prioritize a busy schedule and focus on what really impacts the bottom line is one of the first steps to achieving work life balance and focusing on those aspects of your work and life that really matter. Learning to recognize the signs of perfectionism (self-doubt, perceptual dissatisfaction, superiority, risk-aversion, low tolerance for mistakes, fear of failure, strong need to please, the illusion of self-imposed standards) enables us to separate ourselves from our misunderstanding of what it takes to succeed.

Book Club March 29- April 11: Introduction, Chapters 1-3: Know Yourself-Be Yourself, Taking Action for Knowing and Being Yourself, Balancing Your Work and Life

Only 14.5 percent of Fortune 500 CEO positions are held by women. Historically, it has been thought that this is the result of a glass ceiling, i.e., that others, usually men, are preventing women from achieving. However, it may be that women are actually holding themselves back by their own behaviors. Although women have effectively strategized how to excel in the classroom, those same skills do not necessarily land them in the corner office. The sources of “sticky floors” fall into seven categories: balancing work and life, embracing “good enough” in your work, making the break, making your words count, forming your own board of directors, capitalizing on your political savvy and asking for what you want. By identifying what behaviors are holding you back, you can learn how to get unstuck and succeed on your own terms.


As discussed in chapter 1, the path to success begins with self-awareness. Understanding what you want enables you to focus on achieving it. By being aware of what really motivates you, you can both enjoy your career and succeed at the same time. This self awareness also requires that you take stock of your strengths and weaknesses.