Fletcher Yoder

🎉🥅 What a Day at Our Annual Kickball Showdown! 🥅🎉 Last week, we had an amazing time at our Annual Kickball Event! It was a day filled with laughter, teamwork, and some fierce competition. Check out these highlights from the day! 📸✨ #Kickball #PatentLawAthletes

This year, we were proud to sponsor our attorneys, Laura Crowe, Moriah Bisewski, Freda Li, and Vanessa Garza, to attend the Texas State Bar’s Texas Minority Counsel Program in Austin! This opportunity not only allows our attorneys to learn more about diversity and inclusion, but also to network with diverse lawyers from across Texas. We look forward to seeing how our attorneys bring new insights, skills, and energy back to our firm to make an even greater impact for our clients. Here’s to growth, learning, and the pursuit of excellence! #DiversityandInclusion #TMCP2024 #LegalExcellence

🌟 Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month! 🌟 From September 15 to October 15, we celebrated the vibrant histories, cultures, and contributions of the Hispanic and Latinx communities! #HispanicHeritageMonth #LatinxHeritage #Diversity #Inclusion #CulturalCelebration

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Fletcher Yoder Diversity Committee is spotlighting Lydia Villa-Komaroff. Lydia Villa-Komaroff is a Mexican-American molecular biologist whose research played a pivotal role in the development of insulin production through bacteria. Villa-Komaroff’s research ultimately improved the production and availability of insulin used for diabetes treatment. Born in New Mexico in 1947, Villa-Komaroff was the first of six children in her family. She set her sights on becoming a scientist at a young age. In 1975, Villa-Komaroff graduated with a Ph.D from MIT, which made her the third Mexican-American woman in US history to earn a doctorate in a scientific field. During her Ph.D, focused her studies on molecular and cellular biology. In particular, her research centered on understanding the role of RNA and protein production in polio. Villa-Komaroff started her post-doctoral studies at Harvard, but in 1976, Cambridge placed a temporary ban on genetic engineering, forcing Villa-Komaroof to move to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York. After the ban on genetic engineering was lifted, Villa-Komaroff returned to Harvard, where she carried out her landmark research on insulin-producing bacteria. Her team introduced a human insulin gene into bacteria, allowing them to produce insulin that could be harvested and used for therapeutic purposes. This groundbreaking work laid the foundation for large-scale insulin production and other advances in biotechnology. In addition to her scientific achievements, Villa-Komaroff has been an outspoken advocate for diversity in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. Throughout her career, she has worked to increase the participation of women and minorities in scientific research and education. She has mentored numerous young scientists and participated in programs aimed at breaking down the barriers that prevent underrepresented groups from entering and succeeding in scientific careers. Her advocacy work reflects her belief that diverse perspectives are essential for innovation and scientific progress. Lydia Villa-Komaroff’s legacy is a testament to the power of scientific discovery and the importance of representation in science. Her work not only transformed the treatment of diabetes but also opened doors for future generations of scientists from diverse backgrounds. Through her research, leadership, and advocacy, she has made lasting contributions to both the scientific community and society at large, inspiring countless others to pursue careers in science and innovation.

🚀 Exciting News! 🚀 We are thrilled to announce that our firm has officially achieved Mansfield Certification! 🎉 This significant milestone highlights our commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization and the legal profession as a whole. A huge thank you to everyone on our team who has contributed to this journey. Together, we’re building a brighter future for our firm and the clients we serve. 🌟 #MansfieldCertified #DiversityAndInclusion #Equity #DiversityinTech

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Fletcher Yoder Diversity Committee is spotlighting Luis von Ahn. Luis von Ahn is a Gutaemalan-American entrepreneur and computer scientist best known for his contributions to human-computer interaction and crowdsourcing technology. He was born in Guatemala City in 1978. He pursued an undergraduate degree from Duke University followed by a Ph.D. at Carnegie Mellon. Von Anh first rose to prominence in the early 2000s with the creation of Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart (CAPTCHA), a widely used security system that helps websites distinguish between human users and bots. This innovation was followed by the development of reCAPTCHA, a more advanced version of CAPTCHA, which not only served security purposes but also leveraged human input to digitize books. In 2009, Google acquired reCAPTCHA. In addition to his work with CAPTCHA, von Ahn also co-founded Duolingo with Severin Hacker in 2011. Their vision was to make quality education, including language learning, available to everyone. Today, von Anh continues to lead Duolingo as its CEO, and under his leadership, Duolingo has grown into one of the most downloaded educational apps worldwide, with millions of active users learning a variety of different languages. Throughout his career, von Anh has received numerous accolades for his contributions to science and technology. In 2006, he was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship, also known as the “Genius Grant,” which recognized his work in combining human intelligence with computer algorithms. He is also named one of the “10 Most Brilliant Scientists,” by Popular Science and one of the “100 Most Innovative People in Business” by Fast Company. In 2023, he was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Through his inventions and entrepreneurial ventures, Luis von Ahn has made a lasting impact on the intersection of technology and society. #hispanicheritagemonth2024 #diversityininnovation

Glad to host Examiners from the USPTO with American Linear Lighting during their Site Experience Education (SEE) visit to Houston last week! It was great to have Examiners speak directly with inventors to better understand their inventions. #patents #innovation

To conclude this year's celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, the Fletcher Yoder Diversity Committee is spotlighting Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple Inc. Tim Cook is not only an innovator and creative thinker but also a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ representation in corporate leadership. Since joining Apple in 1998, Cook has played a crucial role in transforming the company's supply chain and manufacturing processes. By streamlining Apple's production methods, he significantly reduced costs and improved efficiency. Since taking over as CEO in 2011, Cook has overseen the development and launch of several groundbreaking products, including the Apple Watch, AirPods, and advancements in the iPhone and iPad lines. Cook stands out as a leading figure in the tech industry and a pioneer in corporate leadership representation. As one of the few openly gay CEOs of a major global corporation, Cook has used his position to advocate for greater acceptance and equality for the LGBTQ+ community. His coming out in 2014 was a landmark moment, providing a powerful example of courage and authenticity in an industry that often lacks visible LGBTQ+ leaders. By openly embracing his identity, Cook has paved the way for more inclusive corporate cultures and has encouraged other LGBTQ+ professionals to bring their whole selves to work. Cook's advocacy for diversity and inclusion is evident not only in his public statements but also in Apple's corporate practices. He has championed initiatives to increase diversity within Apple’s workforce, aiming to create a more inclusive environment that leverages the strengths of a diverse team. Cook has also been a vocal supporter of policies that promote equality and protect the rights of marginalized groups. His leadership has led Apple to support various social causes, including LGBTQ+ rights, racial equality, and gender diversity. By integrating these values into Apple’s core operations and culture, Tim Cook exemplifies how leaders can drive positive social change while steering their companies toward greater innovation and success. #Pridemonth2024 #diversityininnovation

🌈 Happy Pride Month! 🌈 Fletcher Yoder proudly supports the LGBTQ+ community and reaffirms our commitment to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion both within our firm and in the communities we serve. #LoveIsLove #DiversityAndInclusion

As part of our celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, the Fletcher Yoder Diversity Committee is spotlighting LGBTQ+ inventors who made significant impacts in their respective career fields. Dr. Martine Rothblatt is a pioneering figure whose contributions to society span across technology, medicine, and social activism. As a co-founder of SiriusXM, Rothblatt revolutionized the way people listen to music, news, and entertainment by developing satellite radio, which provides clear, wide-ranging audio broadcasts without the limitations of traditional terrestrial radio. Rothblatt is an inventor on several U.S. patents and patent applications in a variety of fields, including innovations directed to computing devices for enhancing communications, a selectively deployable heated propulsor system, and method and compositions for treating pulmonary hypertension. Rothblatt's impact extends significantly into the field of biotechnology. Motivated by her daughter’s diagnosis with a rare, life-threatening disease called pulmonary arterial hypertension, she founded United Therapeutics. Under her leadership, the company has developed life-saving treatments for this condition and continues to push the boundaries of medical science. Rothblatt’s work in xenotransplantation, the process of transplanting animal organs into humans, holds promise for addressing the critical shortage of human organs available for transplantation. Beyond her technological and medical achievements, Martine Rothblatt is also a staunch advocate for transgender rights and gender inclusivity. As a transgender woman herself, she has used her platform to promote understanding and acceptance of gender diversity. Rothblatt has written extensively on the subject, challenging traditional notions of gender and advocating for a more inclusive society. Her work not only raises awareness about transgender issues but also encourages a broader societal shift towards embracing diversity in all its forms. In January 2018 Rothblatt was presented the UCLA Medal, the university's highest award, in recognition of her creation of Sirius XM satellite radio, advancing organ transplant technology, and having "expanded the way we understand fundamental concepts ranging from communication to gender to the nature of consciousness and mortality." In 2019 Rothblatt was recognized as one of Business Insider's most powerful LGBTQ+ people in tech. In April 2023, Rothblatt received the Benjamin Franklin Medal for Distinguished Achievement in the Sciences in recognition of her many transformative, diverse, singular scientific and public service contributions. Through her diverse contributions, Rothblatt exemplifies how one individual can drive progress across multiple fields, enhancing the quality of life and fostering a more inclusive world. #PRIDEmonth2024 #diversityininnovation 🌈 🌈🌈