Women Lawyers Find Arguing Patent Appeals ‘Strange and Lonely’

Women made up less than 20% of the attorneys that argued before the Federal Circuit for the first five months of the year. The court’s position at the intersection of patent and appellate litigation may be part of the reason for the low numbers.

Client, Firm Reluctance: There are women both capable and senior enough to argue at the court, but some clients and law firms are reluctant to give them a chance, attorneys said.

‘Strange and Lonely’: “There are still more days than not when I’m—if not the only woman that day—one of only two women arguing in ...