WIPR Diversity & Inclusion reveals Top 100 People in IP for 2025

As the US legal sector comes under political pressure for its inclusion efforts, our Top 100 for 2025 highlights the individuals fighting to keep progress at the heart of IP.

It hasn’t been an easy year for advocates for diversity, equity and inclusion.

These principles, and the initiatives that underpin them, are facing a growing backlash, particularly in the US. This is why affirmative action matters more than ever.

Our annual WIPR Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Top 100 People recognises those making a genuine difference in our IP community, often in the face of mounting opposition.

‘Diversity is not dead’

In the US, a ‘big chill’ is sweeping through the legal sector as firms face unprecedented challenges from a Trump administration set on targeting them over their client representation and D&I policies.

As the attacks on US law firms intensify, the legal sector is rapidly dividing into two factions—one seeking conciliation, the other pushing back.

Despite these headwinds, the WIPR Diversity Top 100 offers hope—and leadership. Elaine Spector, partner at Harrity & Harrity and Diversity Champion (2025) has been outspoken on social media about the need to take a stand against the D&I backlash.

In a recent post, she issued a rallying cry. “As lawyers, we are uniquely positioned—and ethically obligated—to speak up, especially when others cannot. Silence may feel safe, but it comes at a cost.

“Let’s use our voices and our platforms to push back against injustice, misinformation, and intimidation. Now is not the time for indifference.”

Former US Patent and Trademark Office director Kathi Vidal, partner at Winston & Strawn and WIPR Influential Woman in IP (2025), is equally resolute. She told WIPR that “diversity is far from dead”.

Yet in the face of a hostile political climate, it seems a shift in strategy is necessary. Vidal herself is guiding her firm’s DEI Compliance Task Force, designed to help clients uphold their values while averting legal risk.

‘Cultural competency’

Speaking to WIPR, Caleb Green, associate attorney at Dickinson Wright and WIPR Trailblazer (2023) argues that progressive firms and companies should consider changing the way they promote their inclusive efforts.

One potential strategy, he suggests, is to frame their diversity work through the lens of ‘cultural competency’.

This concept, he explained, is “an integral component of competent representation”—ensuring that attorneys can effectively communicate with and represent clients from diverse backgrounds.

With this in mind, framing cultural competency as a core component of competent legal practice offers a strategic way to avoid challenges or scrutiny of ongoing D&I programmes, urges Green.

Across the Atlantic, other IP trailblazers say the turbulence in the US has only strengthened their resolve to support and foster progressive policies.

• Kelly Saliger, president of the UK Chartered Institute of Trademark Attorneys, CMS partner and an Influential Woman in IP (2025), told WIPR: “As a membership we’re very aware that people might need extra support at the moment.

“I personally haven’t seen any change in the UK following what’s happened in the US. If anything, it’s just made us more aware of how important it is to ensure everyone gets equal opportunities.”

‘There’s too much at stake’

One example of an inspiring initiative took place in November 2024. Director-General of the World Intellectual Property Organization and WIPR Diversity Champion (2025), Daren Tang, alongside his deputy and Influential Woman in IP (2024) Lisa Jorgenson introduced an inaugural two-day conference, the Global Research Experts Meeting on Improving Gender and Diversity in IP and Innovation.

The event, featuring an address by WIPR Diversity & Inclusion, aimed to tackle the ongoing gender gap in innovation and to empower women in IP.

Meanwhile, João Negrão, executive director of the European Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and Diversity Champion (2025), offered some stirring words on International Women’s Day, March 8.

“We are witnessing growing challenges to inclusion and diversity initiatives. Too often, these challenges stem from misconceptions about what these efforts truly aim to achieve,” he said. “As the world faces increasingly complex challenges, we cannot afford to leave potential innovation untapped.”

His final words rang out as a clarion call, cutting through the turmoil and uncertainty that continues to unfold.

“Gender—or any other demographic—should never determine a person’s ability to contribute. There is too much at stake.”

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