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.