Chief Diversity Officer for the Firm to Further Commitment to Diversity and Community
Southfield, Mich. – September 6, 2012 – Brooks Kushman P.C. is pleased to announce that Sangeeta Gandhi Shah has been appointed Chief Diversity Officer of the intellectual property law firm. A Shareholder at the firm for 13 years who was recently named one of twenty “Women in the Law 2012” by Michigan Lawyers Weekly, as Chief Diversity Officer, Shah will be responsible for overseeing and strategic planning of diversity initiatives in both the Detroit and Los Angeles offices. In her new role, Shah will form and lead a Diversity Committee which will focus on expanding Brooks Kushman`s involvement in diversity associations, pipeline initiatives, and community outreach programs, in addition to hiring, mentoring, and promoting diverse professionals.
“We are thrilled to have Sangeeta as our Chief Diversity Officer to further Brooks Kushman`s commitment to diversity within the firm and the community,” said Mark Cantor, President of Brooks Kushman. “With her impressive passion for helping others that is evident in her efforts at the firm, in Detroit, and internationally, Sangeeta is perfect for this new role and we are excited for what is ahead.”
According to Shah, meaningful progress is possible with a shift in mindset. “Based on our profession`s performance to date, diversity can no longer be looked at as a numbers game, we must foster an inclusive culture in our organizations and our community at large—to give people a true opportunity to reach their potential. We can serve as agents of change and I look forward to having Brooks Kushman lead by example.”
With Shah as the new Chief Diversity Officer, Brooks Kushman will expand ongoing diversity initiatives beginning with community outreach and volunteering with local non-profit organizations. The firm will also continue initiatives aimed at education and growth among students in the Detroit-metro and L.A.-metro areas. Last year, the firm started a partnership with Detroit Cristo Rey High School to host students as interns through the school`s new Corporate Work-Study Program, giving four students an opportunity to work at Brooks Kushman part-time to gain professional experience and help them pay their school tuition. Additionally, the firm is the only law firm participating in the national Challenge Detroit initiative, one of the largest urban revitalization projects in history which places 30 leaders in positions at the most innovative companies in Detroit.
The diversity initiatives will also expand upon Brooks Kushman`s involvement in the legal community through partnerships and relationships with key local, national, and international organizations, including the Corporate Counsel Women of Color, Minority Corporate Counsel Association, and the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity. The firm will also continue its focus on mentoring women and improving opportunities for women in the legal profession, with monthly meetings for female professionals at the firm to exchange best practices and discuss opportunities for growth. In May, the firm hosted the Detroit regional meeting for the 2012 American Intellectual Property Law Association Cross-Country Women in IP Networking Event, which was simultaneously held in key markets throughout the country and in Hong Kong.
Sangeeta Shah focuses her intellectual property practice primarily on litigation, patent prosecution, and technical design consulting, providing strategic counseling and guidance on global IP portfolios and business growth plans for clients around the world, including several Fortune 500 companies. Earlier this year, she launched a literacy non-profit organization known as “Retooling Detroit,” which focuses on giving children in the Detroit Public Schools individualized instruction in order to bridge the literacy divide. Shah collaborated with different companies in India from 2008 to 2010 to better enhance their understanding of IP and her work there will continue in January, when she will speak at the Global IP Convention in India—one of the largest global patent forums. In addition, Shah is 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 women and young girls.
About Brooks Kushman P.C.
Founded in 1983 by five IP attorneys, Brooks Kushman P.C. (brookslaw.wpengine.com) is a leading IP and commercial law firm based in Southfield, Mich. with offices across the nation. Since its inception, the firm has grown to more than 70 lawyers and patent agents, gaining a reputation both nationally and internationally as a leader in providing cutting-edge, timely and cost-effective IP counseling.
Brooks Kushman counts six U.S. Fortune 100 companies among its clients and is often recognized by peers and leading trade publications. Brooks Kushman is: a Go-To Law Firm® selected by the top 500 companies, according to Corporate Counsel magazine; on the Law360 Intellectual Property 100 List; a “Best at Client Focus” firm, according to large and Fortune 1000 companies surveyed by The BTI Consulting Group; and one of the top IP firms selected by the Fortune 100, according to IP Law & Business.
