The Foundation is awarding $10,000 Scholarships for Minority Scholars as well as arranging internships and mentorships to assist under-represented minority law school students entering intellectual property law.

Because of the central role intellectual property (patents, trademarks, trade secrets and copyrights) will have on the future of our country and the world, it is critical that the legal profession serving this strategic area strive mightily to reflect the rich diversity of our great nation. Therefore, the AIPLEF Board decided to take as one of its central missions, activities which would help to increase diversity in the IP bar.

The first initiative of the Foundation has been the establishment of the Sidney B. Williams, Jr. Intellectual Property Law Scholarships. The goal of these scholarships is to increase the numbe of under-represented minority groups serving as intellectual property law practitioners in law firms and the intellectual property law departments in corporations. Since April 2002, the AIPLEF has been awarding a number of $10,000 Scholarships for Minority Scholars as well as arranging internships and mentorships to assist under-represented minority law school students intending practice intellectual property law. The scholarships are named in honor of Sidney B. Williams, Jr. who was the first African-American to hold major leadership roles in both the AIPLA and the ABA-IPL Section and who has and continues to give countless hours and boundless energies to influence minority students looking for a future in science and engineering to pursue law school and intellectual property law. He is a role model for all young lawyers.

Over 300 companies have signed the following statement developed by Bell South Corporation Legal Department Diversity Committee and adopted by Minority Corporate Counsel Association.