Patel was among only 21 lawyers worldwide named to WIPR’s 2024 Trailblazers list. WIPR highlighted Patel for his IP practice, his tireless commitments to DEI and social justice, and his exemplary work as an educator and mentor.
At Reed Smith, Patel manages all stages of clients' domestic and international trademark and brand portfolios – from creation and selection, search and clearance, filing and prosecution, through monitoring and protection. Patel further advises on a full range of IP issues for leading brands, including open source software licensing, M&A and financing deals, and due diligence and best practices.
A champion for social justice, Patel has served as an advisory board member for the Asian Law Alliance (ALA) since 2020. Based in Silicon Valley, the ALA has helped tens of thousands of individuals obtain decent housing, justice in the immigration process, and access to basic human and legal rights.
An accomplished educator, Patel has served as a J.D. tech mentor at his alma mater, Santa Clara Law, since 2021. In this role, he helps law students develop the skills that are critical to working in the tech sector. Patel likewise helped start the Intellectual Property Clinic under the USPTO Law School Clinic Certification Pilot Program at Lincoln Law School in San Jose, where he trained and supervised students. Patel is currently on the adjunct faculty of the IP Law Clinic at Gonzaga Law; and he has taught corporate governance and contract law at the University of San Francisco’s School of Management.
Additionally, Patel serves on the International Trademark Association (INTA) Unreal Campaign Committee (2022-2024), which “advances INTA’s consumer awareness initiative designed to educate young consumers (ages 14–23) about the importance of trademarks and brands and the dangers of counterfeit products.”
“Congratulations to everyone who made the WIPR Diversity Top 100 list for 2024!” stated the WIPR editors. “Your dedication and commitment to driving meaningful change in the IP community is truly inspiring.