Know of a member on your committee whose tireless efforts have led to the advancement of trademark-related pro bono? Nominate him/her for the Pro Bono Volunteer Services Award. Nominations will be solicited in July-August.

Two Pro Bono Volunteer Service Awards will be given:

1. The INTA Volunteer Service Award for Pro Bono Legal Services by an Individual Awarded to one or more individuals who have shown a significant commitment to providing trademark and related intellectual property pro bono legal services in support of (a) persons of limited means or other disadvantaged persons; (b) charitable, religious, civic, community and educational organizations that address the needs of persons of limited means or disadvantaged persons; or (c) government or judicial organizations.

2. The INTA Volunteer Service Award for Pro Bono Legal Services by a Member Organization Awarded to one or more member organizations that have demonstrated a significant development or expansion of programs for providing trademark and related Intellectual Property pro bono services during the previous year.

Congratulations to our winners! 

Pro Bono Legal Services by an Individual

Chris Bennett (Davis, LLP, Canada) regularly provides pro bono intellectual property services to a wide range of organizations, including: Cures for Kids, Education Beyond Borders, Earth Day Network and the Hockey Education Reaching Out Society, known as HEROS. Chris offers not only trademark clearance, prosecution and management services, including licensing and sponsorship assistance, but also dispute resolution services when an organization is accused of violating another’s trademark rights or has had its own trademark infringed. Recipients of his services have said that he “goes above and beyond what is expected” and that he is an “understated gentleman.”

Pro Bono Legal Services by an Organization

McDermott Will & Emery's IP lawyers provide legal assistance to non-profits and small businesses whose focus is to develop and revitalize low income communities, and to environmental organizations helping ensure a clean, safe and healthy environment. McDermott’s IP practice has taken on numerous trademark prosecution matters on behalf of a variety of not-for-profit organizations. Some of the non-profits and small businesses that McDermott has worked with include: Fonderie 47, the National Museum of Women on the Arts, Absolute Return for Kids, Streetscape, Universal Education Foundation, Solar Sisters and Rainforest Alliance.