SBDC TCA at NM Tech 4th annual World Intellectual Property Day Celebration

2:00pm-2:15pm: Welcome & Introduction to World IP Day

Presented by Estefanita Rawlings, SBDC TCA at NM Tech Center Director

2:15pm-3:00pm: "Top Intellectual Property Issues for Small Businesses/Startups"

Presented by Justin Muehlmeyer Peacock Law

3:00pm-4:00pm: "Getting started with Patent Public Search"

Presented by Sonya Wright and Sara Butts, United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

Estefanita Rawlings

Estefanita is the Center Director for the Small Business Development Center – Technology Commercialization Accelerator (TCA) at New Mexico Tech in Socorro, NM. As the Center Director, Estefanita works with clients regarding their intellectual property along with counseling and educating clients on intellectual property protection and cybersecurity awareness. Estefanita is a New Mexico Tech alumni with degrees in computer science and mathematics. Prior to coming to NMSBDC TCA Estefanita worked in the education arena as a senior data analyst and senior programmer analyst for many years.

Justin Muehlmeyer

Justin is a partner and registered patent attorney at Peacock Law P.C., an intellectual property and technology transactions boutique based in Albuquerque, NM representing clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to some of North America’s best-awarded tech startups. Justin practices all aspects of intellectual property and a broad array of commercial transactions, including licensing, acquisitions, and franchising. He is a member of the firm’s Aerospace and Outer Space Practice Group and Dental Practice Group, with many of Justin’s technology clients also being in the fields of software, energy and mining. Justin came to Peacock Law in 2015 from the New Mexico Supreme Court, where he served as an attorney judicial law clerk for two years. Justin obtained his law degree and dual undergraduate degrees in Physics and Economics.

Sonya Wright

Sonya is a Technical Information Specialist in the Public Search Facility (PSF) at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). She has over ten years of experience with the agency. In her role, she provides training on the use of patent and trademark information, systems and search tools to members of the public from all backgrounds. She serves at an expert level to assist with advanced public questions concerning research, and provides technical assistance and testing for publicly available tools. Previously, she was a Patent Examiner where she reviewed patent applications related to pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Sonya received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from North Carolina State University, a Master of Science degree in chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Juris Doctor degree from Wake Forest University School of Law. Ms. Wright is a registered patent attorney.

Sara Butts

Sara Butts is a Librarian with the Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC) Program at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). She is part of a team that delivers training and support to librarians at PTRC-designated public and academic libraries across the United States.

Register here: https://nmsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/13905