Monday 5 January 2015

Deborah Cohn’s Patent and Trademark Office History



With her work at the US Patent and Trademarks Office, trademark and patent office professional Deborah Cohn is known today as a powerful figure that has driven the progress of a federal agency through embracing modern and technological ways to allow employees to work from their homes. Long before all of that though, she has a story of climbing to success that is much similar to any story of someone who achieved their goals through hard work and determination. Below, she shares the path that she took to get where she is today.

Education
Like with many successful careers, leading Patent and Trademark office official Deborah Cohn’s Patent knowledge of trademark law came from an outstanding education. She got her BA from American University in 1974 before going on to get her Juris Doctor degree from George Mason University’s School of Law.

Attorney
About a year after receiving her law degree, Deborah Cohn’s career with the US Patent and Trademarks Office took off. As a Trademark Examining Attorney, she examined applications for trademark registration to determine compliance with Lanham Act and Rules of Practice; wrote  legal  briefs  and  presented  oral  arguments  before the  Trademark  Trial  and  Appeal Board.

Commissioner
Longtime trademark and patent office official Deborah Cohn was appointed Commissioner of Trademarks in 2006, and immediately got to pushing her telework agenda to increase cost-efficiency as well as boost the quality of life for her employees. Her program was beyond her time and successful, earning her recognition from politicians and other esteemed individuals as a progressive figure in the administration of federal agencies who embraces new ideas to improve productivity.