Kudos to Procopio patent prosecution attorneys Jonathan Cheng and Kendrick Lam on their recognition by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for the pro bono legal services they provided in 2023. Both were recognized for volunteering more than 50 pro bono hours to clients through a nonprofit affiliated with the USPTO’s Patent Pro Bono Program. In this case the nonprofit was the California Lawyers for the Arts, part of the USPTO’s California Inventors Assistance Program (CIAP).

Jonathan and Kendrick were among only a few dozen attorneys recognized by the USPTO. Multiple Procopio patent attorneys provided pro bono services in 2023 through the California Lawyers for the Arts CIAP, totaling more than 250 pro bono hours in an effort coordinated by Partner Stephen Beuerle. Jonathan assisted clients in pursuing patents related to PTSD treatment and an eco-friendly water filter. Kendrick worked on patenting mechanical engineering inventions, namely ladders and kitchen tools, as well as software-related innovations.

Pro bono legal assistance has been a core principle of Procopio dating back to its co-founder Alec Cory. Procopio management encourages pro bono services, including an annual challenge that encourages every attorney to perform at least 50 pro bono hours. A Pro Bono Committee led by Tiffany Salayer actively identifies pro bono opportunities for attorneys across a broad array of legal specializations, facilitating the process so all attorneys have an opportunity to participate.