The Intellectual Property (IP) Law Section of the State Bar of Texas recently granted Jolene Robin-McCaskill, a second-year student at South Texas College of Law Houston (STCL Houston), with one of its two annual scholarships supporting women and minorities.
New Orleans native Robin-McCaskill accepted the award at the section’s diversity scholarship lunch and presentation at the Texas regional office of the United States Patent and Trademark Office in Dallas this month.
Robin-McCaskill earned a doctorate in geophysics from Stanford University, a master’s degree in applied physics and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of New Orleans.
According to the IP Section, “the scholarships facilitate and encourage women and minorities to enter the practice of intellectual property law in Texas and to become active members of the State Bar IP Section by assisting these students with their financial needs.”
She plans to graduate from STCL Houston in May 2020.
“I was extremely honored to receive the State Bar of Texas IP Section’s 2018 diversity scholarship,” said Robin-McCaskill. “The number of women in intellectual property law in the nation is less than 10 percent, and the number of African-American women in the field is much lower. This area of law is in desperate need of additional diversity, and this significant scholarship is a wonderful incentive for women to enter the field.
“I decided to pursue IP law in order to apply my degrees and experience in protecting inventors, authors, designers, etc., from theft or other unlawful use of their valuable intangible property. I’m fascinated by problems that require both technical and legal acumen, and understand that diverse thought, training, and experience enable the development of innovative solutions to complex problems.”
The selection committee considered merit, scholastic performance, and financial need in awarding the two $5,000 scholarships. Women and members of recognized minority groups who were enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school in Texas at the time of application were eligible to apply for the scholarship.
“Ms. Robin-McCaskill was a clear and deserving favorite for this competitive scholarship,” said Phillip Page, professor of law at South Texas College of Law Houston and member of the scholarship selection committee. “While there were many deserving applicants, her academic achievements, law school and community engagement, and professional accomplishments elevated her to the top. And a doctorate from Stanford didn’t hurt either.”
