SOUTHFIELD, Michigan– Brooks Kushman CEO Sangeeta Shah was a panelist in a discussion at a half day virtual meeting hosted by Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Color Magazine, State Bar of Michigan, and the Oakland County Bar Association titled “The Way Forward: A Plan for Boosting Diversity and Inclusion in Law Firms.”
During the event, panelists discussed how their firms are at various points on their journey to boosting diversity and inclusion within their organizations, and shared recommendations for how attendees may advance their own firm or business initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Shah participated in “The Mansfield Rule” panel, in which she discussed the Mansfield Rule and the strategies of Diversity Lab, specifically focusing on the recent pilot initiatives such as the Midsize Mansfield Rule, which includes 20 midsize law firms including Brooks Kushman, and the Mansfield Rule 4.0, which has engaged 117 larger law firms.
Sangeeta Shah is the CEO of Brooks Kushman, responsible for leading the firm’s Executive Committee. In addition to serving as the CEO, Sangeeta maintains an active docket as an IP practitioner with over 20 years of experience in managing patent portfolios, PTAB matters, patent litigation and opinions. Sangeeta works closely with several Fortune 500 clients for whom she provides strategic counseling and guidance on global intellectual property portfolios. Her patent expertise has resulted in national recognition from Managing IP, Best Lawyers, IAM, AIPLA and the PTAB Bar Association.
Prior to becoming CEO, Sangeeta served as the firm’s Chief Diversity Officer. In that position, she developed and implemented a range of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within and outside of the firm through outreach programs and partnerships. Under her leadership, the firm was recognized in 2018 and 2019 by ChIPs and Diversity Lab as a national Honor Roll Firm for its dedication to advancing diversity and inclusion. Sangeeta also hosts the Breaking Mindsets Podcast where she interviews leaders who defy expectations and have accomplished great change in their field.
Throughout her career, Sangeeta has spearheaded outreach initiatives, including founding Retooling Detroit a non-profit which focuses on giving children in the Detroit Public Schools individualized phonics instruction to bridge the literacy divide. At the national and international level, Sangeeta has been heavily involved in organizations such as ChIPs, for whom she helped found the Chicago regional chapter, Corporate Counsel Women of Color (CCWC), the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) and American Intellectual Property Association (AIPLA)– to help advance diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the legal field. Additionally, Sangeeta has served as the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) representative for the Isha Foundation, a non-governmental organization based in India that is at the forefront of education, environment, and health initiatives focused on empowering human wellness and health.
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About Brooks Kushman P.C.
Brooks Kushman P.C. is a premier intellectual property (IP) and technology law firm dedicated to the advancement and protection of innovations and brands that propel businesses around the world. With offices in Michigan and California, we work alongside corporations, small to medium sized businesses, and leading universities to protect their intellectual property assets. Our attorneys have a broad range of experience in industries and technologies, including consumer electronics, manufacturing, medical device, computer technology, aerospace, chemicals, biotechnology, and retail.
Brooks Kushman counts a number of Fortune 100 companies across a variety of industries among its clients. The firm is also recognized by leading legal publications and rankings, including Corporate Counsel magazine, U.S. News & World Report, Law360, Intellectual Asset Management, Managing Intellectual Property, and Intellectual Property Today. For more information, please visit www.BrooksKushman.com.
