Allyship, Mentorship, & Sponsorship Practical Guide: Part 1 of 2 - Demystifying the Three Key Professional Relationships

Shruti Costales is the Owner & Founder at Shruti Law PLLC®. Shruti is a licensed US patent attorney and has worked in private practice, in-house, and with the Federal Government. She has 20+ years of deep legal experience in handling patent and trademark application drafting and prosecution, patent counseling, patent litigation, IP transactions, complex commercial transactions including drafting and negotiating XaaS agreements and handling FED/SLED agreements, supply chain agreements, product counseling, and due diligence and mergers & acquisitions related assessments. Her experience includes working in the chemicals/materials technologies (e.g., microelectronics including semiconductors, integrated circuits/chips, microprocessors, and memory devices; batteries and fuel cells; catalysts; polymers; additive manufacturing; food/nutrition; nanotechnology; oil and gas; tire and rubber; building materials/composites; water treatment/purification; tobacco/nicotine products; filtration solutions; performance materials; and consumer goods), life sciences/healthcare technologies (e.g., biotechnology & diagnostics; pharmaceutical – small molecule and large molecule; medical surgical products; dental & ophthalmological solutions; and purification and filtration technologies), electrical & computer technologies (e.g., electronic devices and components; consumer electronics; microelectronics including semiconductors; and financial, business, and fintech services), and mechanical technologies (e.g., automotive and smart mobility technology; mechanical components; and medical devices). Shruti has a BS in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University and a JD from Franklin Pierce Law Center (now the University of New Hampshire School of Law). She is a member of the Patent Pathways® Board of Directors. Shruti is currently Vice-Chair of IPO's Small/Micro Company & Law Firm Committee. Over the last decade, Shruti has co-led IPO's DEI and Women in IP committees where she co-authored many white papers, guides, and toolkits. Recently, Shruti led and co-authored a collaboration between ADAPT and IPO for a Practical Guide on Allyship, Mentorship, & Sponsorship. 

Rebekah Fuhr is a seasoned legal and international development professional with over a decade of experience spanning legal analysis, project management, and cross-cultural collaboration. Currently serving as a Senior Legal Analyst at Access Advance LLC, she has worked with global teams, managed complex legal processes, and contributed to international legal strategy. With a background in international studies and a passion for diversity, inclusion, and allyship, Rebekah’s career, enriched by experiences in South Korea, India, Bangladesh, and France reflects her commitment to global engagement and advocacy.

Mercedes K. Meyer, Ph.D., represents leading life science and technology companies maintaining an extensive biotechnology and pharmaceutical patent management, prosecution, opinion and due diligence practice. With a doctorate in virology and degree in chemistry, Mercedes has a deep understanding of complex biotechnology and scientific research, which is key for advising life science clients on commercializing and protecting product innovations as well as performing diligence for investing in new technologies, particularly in corporate joint development projects. Mercedes advises on developing patent strategies, managing the intellectual property rights, and making associated investments and acquisitions. Mercedes also handles patent reexaminations and inter partes matters.

Cyra Nargolwalla is a co-Managing Partner in Plasseraud IP’s Executive Committee. She is regularly recognized for her outstanding expertise in the fields of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals (vaccines, hormonal therapy, cancerology), as well as textiles, paper and the food industry. She has an excellent track record representing clients in Opposition and Appeal Proceedings before the EPO, in both French and English. Cyra also handles litigation matters in France and in other countries. She is a regular speaker at conferences on biotech/pharmaceutical patent matters as well as on litigation-related topics. She has been invited to the EPO several times to speak with Examiners on how to provide better client satisfaction with respect to examination and opposition procedures. She also regularly takes part in discussions about oral proceedings before the EPO and is a staunch supporter of the EPO’s initiative to move to Oral Proceedings via videoconference, as she firmly believes that this improves access to justice for all parties. Cyra is one of two recognized IP experts invited by the President of the EPO as an ad personam member of the current SACEPO (Standing Advisory Committee European Patent Office) Working Party on Rules. She was previously an active member of SACEPO’s Working Party on Guidelines.