D&I Committee webinar – Attracting Young Talent to the IP Field

As innovation accelerates across industries, the need for dynamic and skilled intellectual property (IP) professionals has never been greater. Yet, many IP offices, law firms, and rights holders face a growing challenge: attracting, inspiring, and retaining the next generation of IP talent. 

Join us for this interactive webinar as we explore practical strategies to engage young professionals, bridge the gap between academia and practice, and position the IP sector as a compelling career path. Our panel of experts will share real-world insights on mentorship, diversity, education, and digital outreach. 

Key Topics: 

•  Understanding the career motivations of younger generations
•  Effective outreach through universities, social media, and IP education
•  The role of internships, fellowships, and mentorship in IP career development
•  Building inclusive, flexible, and innovative work environments
•  Success stories and lessons from early-career professionals in IP

Moderator:
• Mami Hino
Speakers:
• Mariana Vargas
• Andy Whitlock
• Andy Yu

• Mami Hino
Mami Hino is a Partner at Abe Ikubo & Katayama, a full-service law firm based in Tokyo. She is a highly qualified professional, holding credentials as a Patent Attorney and a Registered Pharmacist in Japan. She also holds a J.D. degree and is admitted to the New York Bar.

Mami possesses extensive experience representing clients in cross-border litigation across all variations of technology. Her practice also focuses on advising innovative pharmaceutical companies to secure and enforce their patents.

She has been a founding member of the DE&I Committee of AIPPI, and also serves as a member of the DE&I Committee of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association.

• Mariana Vargas
Graduate in Law from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. She obtained a master’s degree in Intellectual Property Law from the Anahuac University.

Partner in the Intellectual Property area Basham, Ringe & Correa S.C. Member of the D&I committee

Current Secretary of the AIPPI´s Mexican Chapter Mexican (Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AMPPI).

Former president of the Geographical Indications and Appellations of Origin Committee of said association.

Chair of the Latin American and Caribbean Subcomettee of the Non-Traditional Trademarks Committee at INTA.

She served at the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property in the Divisional Directorate of Legal Affairs and in the Divisional Directorate of International Relations where she served as Mexico’s representative before various international forums and organizations on intellectual property, such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum. (APEC), the World Intellectual Property Organization and the European Union Intellectual Property Office.

She is a professor in the master’s degree in Intellectual Property at the Anahuac University.

She has participated in various panels on intellectual property matters and is the author of various articles and publications on trademarks, geographical indications, among other topics.

She has been recognized in The Legal 500 ranking as a “Rising star” in 2020 and 2021 in matters of Intellectual Property, in LMG Rising Stars Awards Americas 2020 and Recognized in the IFLR1000 Experts Guides Rising Stars 2022 and Leaders League Ranking.

She was recognized in The Legal 500 ranking as a “Rising star” in 2020 and 2021 in matters of Intellectual Property, in LMG Rising Stars Awards Americas 2020 and Recognized in the IFLR1000 Experts Guides Rising Stars 2022 and Leaders League Ranking. LACCA approved 2025, Recognized as Leading Lawyer in Trademarks and Litigation in Leaders League 2025 and Best Lawyers Ones to Watch 2025. Also reconized as Next Generation Partner 2025 in Legal 500 and Chamber and Partners 2025 “Up and coming”

• Andy Whitlock
Andy has worked in talent acquisition for over 20 years in a variety of sectors, the last 6 years at Mewburn Ellis LLP, one of Europe’s leading IP Firms.

During this time Andy has helped shape the way Mewburn Ellis speaks to the Emerging Talent markets in UK and Germany. In a role that encompasses design and delivery of targeted trainee recruitment campaigns, specialist internships, employer brand and social media strategy along with an inclusive recruitment system implementation, Andy is excited to share his experience during the upcoming webinar.

• Andy Yu
Andy Yu is a Senior Associate in Deacons’ Intellectual Property Department.  He holds a double-degree in LLB (Hons) and Bachelor of Social Science from the University of Hong Kong and is qualified in Hong Kong, PRC (Greater Bay Area) and England & Wales.  Andy specialises in IP portfolio management, enforcement and commercialisation.  He also regularly advises multinational clients on technology related work including cross-border data compliance, technology transactions and artificial intelligence across a wide range of industries.  Andy is currently serving as a committee member of the Young AIPPI Members Committee.  He has also recently been nominated to represent the firm to participate in the Male Allies Programme organized by The Women’s Foundation in Hong Kong to promote gender equality and diversity.  Outside of work, Andy is a dedicated badminton player and was a Sports Scholar of the University of Hong Kong.  Andy also recently represented Hong Kong China in competing in the 2025 World Seniors Badminton Championship held in Thailand.

Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your practice and build trust in your professional relationships.