Partner & Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer
Over two decades of diverse professional endeavors and community activism have given Esther a rare combination of IP insight, DEI experience, and proven leadership, both domestically and internationally.
Rooted in her values of equity and diversity, Esther has advocated for DEI in the legal profession through active bar leadership, community outreach, and pro bono work. She has advanced DEI-focused initiatives and programs while serving in leadership positions for many associations, including the D.C. Bar, American Bar Association (ABA), Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, Asian Pacific American Bar Association of DC (APABA DC), and National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA).
Teaching as an adjunct professor at Howard University School of Law since 2003, she chairs its annual Institute for Intellectual Property and Social Justice (IIPSJ) conference, which is nearing its 20th anniversary. She has handled pro bono cases to assist individuals and families in need with safe housing, domestic relations, veteran's benefits, and access to special education. She also volunteers at walk-in legal clinics to assist low-income residents of the District of Columbia.
Esther frequently writes and lectures internationally on issues relating intellectual property, DEI, and leadership. For ten years, she served as editor-in-chief of the firm's Last Month at the Federal Circuit newsletter. She now serves as an advisor and contributor for Finnegan's Federal Circuit IP blog. Esther served at the Federal Circuit as a law clerk to the Honorable Randall R. Rader.
Esther has received recognitions from Chambers Global and was recognized as a leader in the field of intellectual property law by Chambers Asia. She was recognized as one of the Top 250 Women in IP Law by Managing Intellectual Property. Esther received the IP and Social Justice Award from Howard University School of Law in recognition of her contributions in promoting diversity in the legal profession and mentoring students of color.
Federal Circuit IP Blog
PTAB’s Implicit Claim Construction in Obviousness Analysis Constitutes Claim Construction, Even When Its Decision States It Did Not Construe Claims PTAB’s Implicit Claim Construction in Obviousness Analysis Constitutes Claim Construction, Even When Its Decision States It Did Not Construe Claims
March 21, 2024
Articles
Hunting for Diamonds - Unlocking the Potential of Diverse Talent Hunting for Diamonds - Unlocking the Potential of Diverse Talent
March/April 2024
Washington LawyerFederal Circuit IP Blog
Prior Printed Publications “Publicly Available” Despite Confidentiality Restrictions Prior Printed Publications “Publicly Available” Despite Confidentiality Restrictions
March 7, 2024
Federal Circuit IP Blog
Spotlight on Upcoming Oral Arguments – March 2024 Spotlight on Upcoming Oral Arguments – March 2024
March 1, 2024
“Washington, DC-based Esther Lim founded the firm’s Shanghai office in 2008 and was based there until 2014. She handles patent portfolio management and enforcement, and comes highly regarded for her work advising Chinese companies on US patent litigation.”
Chambers Global
“Esther Lim specialises in patent ligation and prosecution and is noted for her expertise in the technology and healthcare sectors in the USA and China.”
Chambers Global
“Washington, DC-based Esther Lim founded the firm’s Shanghai office in 2008 and was based there until 2014. She handles patent portfolio management and enforcement, and comes highly regarded for her work advising Chinese companies on US patent litigation.”
Chambers Global
“Esther Lim specialises in patent ligation and prosecution and is noted for her expertise in the technology and healthcare sectors in the USA and China.”
Chambers Global
Commentary
The ‘Wonderful Gift’ of Friendship The ‘Wonderful Gift’ of Friendship
Fall 2023
TU MagazineAnnouncement
Esther Lim Receives Women’s Bar Association’s “Star of the Bar” Award Esther Lim Receives Women’s Bar Association’s “Star of the Bar” Award
August 24, 2023
Commentary
Measuring DEI - What It Means to Go Beyond the Numbers Measuring DEI - What It Means to Go Beyond the Numbers
March/April 2023
Washington LawyerCommentary
Penn State Dickinson Law Profiles in Leadership - Advancing Justice Penn State Dickinson Law Profiles in Leadership - Advancing Justice
April 2023
Penn State Dickinson LawMedia Mention
Finnegan Links Minority Students with Mentor Opportunities Finnegan Links Minority Students with Mentor Opportunities
April 27, 2023
Law360Commentary
Women Urged to ‘Own Your Voice!’ as World IP Day Celebrates Women in IP Women Urged to ‘Own Your Voice!’ as World IP Day Celebrates Women in IP
April 26, 2023
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