DC Bar Intellectual Property (IP) Law Community To Honor Professor Victoria Phillips and Judge Pauline Newman May 14

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, the Intellectual Property (IP) Law Community of the District of Columbia (DC) Bar will honor two exceptional individuals, Professor Victoria Phillips and Judge Pauline Newman, who have significantly contributed to the field of intellectual property in their careers. Professor Phillips of American University Washington College of Law will be honored with the esteemed Champion of IP Award, and Judge Newman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) will be honored with an inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award.

The annual Champion of IP Award recognition celebrates those who have impacted IP policy, fostered innovation, and passionately advocated for intellectual property rights. The inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual whose contributions over his or her lifetime have significantly impacted intellectual property rights.

Professor Victoria Phillips

Professor Victoria Phillips is a distinguished academic and practitioner in the field of intellectual property law, currently serving as the Director of the Glushko Samuelson Intellectual Property Law Clinic at American University Washington College of Law. Her career is marked by a deep commitment to education, public service, and the advancement of intellectual property rights in the digital age. Professor Phillips pursued her higher education in law at the American University Washington College of Law, where she distinguished herself as a keen student of intellectual property and technology law. Her academic achievements laid the groundwork for a career that bridges theory and practice in the complex field of IP law.

Before her current role, Professor Phillips amassed extensive experience both in private practice and in academia. In private practice, she specialized in intellectual property and communications law, working with a variety of clients from startups to established technology companies, helping them navigate the complexities of copyright, trademark, and patent law in the context of new media and technology.

Professor Phillips transitioned to academia with a focus on nurturing the next generation of lawyers. As the Director of the Glushko-Samuelson Intellectual Property Law Clinic, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the curriculum and enhancing the educational experiences of her students through practical, hands-on learning opportunities. Under her leadership, the clinic has become a critical component of the law school, providing free legal services to clients who cannot otherwise afford them while giving students invaluable real-world experience.

Beyond the clinic, Professor Phillips has taught courses that explore the intersection of intellectual property law with public policy, emphasizing how legal frameworks can adapt to technological advances and societal changes. Her approach to teaching is characterized by an emphasis on ethical practice and the social responsibilities of IP lawyers.

Professor Phillips is also known for her advocacy work in intellectual property law, particularly in relation to public access to information and the rights of creators and innovators. She frequently participates in public policy discussions, advocating for balanced IP laws that foster both innovation and public good. Her work often addresses the challenges and opportunities posed by digital technologies, advocating for policies that recognize the evolving nature of creative and innovative processes. Professor Phillips currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts, a non-profit organization that provides access to education, advocacy, and legal services for the arts and cultural communities of Washington, DC, Virginia, and Maryland.

An accomplished speaker and author, Professor Phillips has contributed to numerous scholarly articles, book chapters, and conference presentations on a variety of IP-related topics, making significant contributions to the literature on intellectual property law. Professor Phillips continues to influence both the practice and theory of intellectual property law through her dedicated service, teaching, and advocacy, making her a respected figure among her peers and a beloved mentor to her students.

Judge Pauline Newman

Judge Pauline Newman has had a distinguished career and is a prominent figure on the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, where she has served since her appointment by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. Her tenure on the bench is marked by significant contributions to patent law, among other areas.

Judge Newman earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry from Vassar College in 1947, a Master of Arts in pure science from Columbia University in 1948, and a Ph.D. in chemistry from Yale University in 1952. Her educational journey continued at New York University School of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor in 1958.

Before her appointment to the CAFC, Judge Newman had a diverse career in both industry and law. She worked as a research scientist at American Cyanamid Company from 1951 to 1954. After transitioning to law, she became the Director of Patent, Trademark and Licensing Department at FMC Corp., where she worked from 1969 until her judicial appointment in 1984. Her role at FMC involved significant responsibilities in managing intellectual property and developing corporate patent strategies. Judge Newman’s appointment to the CAFC was notable not only for her scientific and legal expertise but also for the breadth of her experience, which brought a unique perspective to the court. The CAFC has been particularly influential in patent law, a field in which Newman’s background in chemistry and patent law was especially pertinent.

Judge Newman’s decisions on the bench reflect her strong advocacy for patent protection and her belief in the importance of intellectual property rights as incentives for innovation and industry. She has been involved in many landmark cases that have shaped the contours of American patent law.

As one of the most influential figures in the field of intellectual property law, Judge Newman is highly respected for her intellectual rigor and her detailed legal opinions. Throughout her career, she has been an advocate for the harmonization of international patent laws and has spoken widely on the subject. Her contributions extend beyond patent law, influencing trade and international law, reflecting her broader interest in the intersection of science, technology, and the law.

Professor Phillips will be introduced by Christine Haight Farley, Professor of Law and Faculty Director, Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property, of American University’s Washington College of Law. Judge Newman will be introduced by Rae Fischer, Career Law Clerk to the Honorable Pauline Newman, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and a former Chair of the DC Bar’s IP Law Community. Moderators of the event will be the current DC Bar IP Law Community Steering Committee co-chairpersons, Brian Malkin, an Associate General Counsel of Teva Pharmaceuticals, and Courtney Krawice, an Associate Attorney at Mayer Brown LLP.

The event will be held on May 14 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the DC Bar Headquarters, 901 4th Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20001.

Advanced registration is required on the DC Bar’s website. Early bird registration is available through May 3. The deadline to register is noon on May 14. Light hors d’oeuvres and other refreshments will be served.