GIPA’s first-ever IP Lifetime Achievement Award for Community Service was instituted for promising individuals making contributions having a lasting impact on society. 

The IP Lifetime Achievement Award

The first recipient of the IP Lifetime Achievement Award is James H. “Jim” Johnson Jr. of Eversheds Sutherland.  “Jim is actually the inspiration behind this award because of his years of self-less giving to his community, notes Wade Walker, IP Community Service Award Co-Chair. Jim has been described as a “pro-bono superstar” and is well-known for his generosity, candor, and openness which have touched the personal and professional lives of many.  His community service contributions were honored as having impacted numerous non-profit organizations and their clients over his 33-year career.  

IP Community Service Awards

GIPA also proudly recognized three professionals for The IP Community Service Award.   These outstanding individuals include Noah Graubart, Fish & Richardson;  Matthew Howell, Alston & Bird;  and Gail Podolsky, Carlton Fields.  

“This award ceremony is an opportunity to bring people together to celebrate great deeds in the IP community that have inspired many of us during the challenging times of a pandemic and social injustices,” notes Walker.  Scott Frank, GIPA President, and Wade welcomed the award recipients and their guests at the socially distanced luncheon and live broadcast as members of the IP community shared personal accounts of the recipient’s great character, accomplishments, and contributions.   

Bill Curry, the event’s Keynote speaker, delivered an inspirational message in honor of the award recipients.  Bill is the well-known Super Bowl Champion, NCAA Coach of the Year, ESPN Analyst, and GIPA IP Legend.  His uplifting motivational remarks highlighted the importance of inclusion, kindness, and gratitude. 

Meet the IP Community Service Awardees

Jim Johnson is a graduate of Princeton University and University of Virginia School of Law and began his career with the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office as Sr. Examining Attorney.  He subsequently served as Sr. Trademark Counsel for the Kellogg Company, and then The Coca-Cola Company where he revised the company’s trademark strategy and managed its global trademark portfolio.  

Jim is a founding member of the Atlanta IP Inn of Court and was president in 2018-2019.  He’s been on the Board of Directors for the International Trademark Association and Men Stopping Violence, Chair of the IP Section of the State Bar of Georgia, and member of the Trademark Public Advisory Committee for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.  He is Co-Chair of Diversity & Inclusion for the Georgia IP Alliance, a member of the Intellectual Property Owners Association, American Intellectual Property Law Association, and Lawyer’s Club of Atlanta.  Jim received state and national recognition for his leadership as a trademark attorney by Chambers USA, World Trademark Review, The Minority Corporate Counsel Association, and others. Jim currently serves as Intellectual Property Counsel at Eversheds Sutherland working to enforce trademarks and copyrights of some of the world’s most famous and valuable brands, as well as those of smaller firms and start-ups.  

Noah Graubart is co-founder of Fish & Richardson’s Atlanta office and serves as the firm’s Pro Bono Coordinator.  Pro bono participation has become a tenet under Noah’s leadership.  Thad Kodish, Managing Principal at Fish & Richardson, remarked that the firm has averaged nearly 100 hours of pro bono service per participating attorney.  The firm’s impact has been felt by a wide range of beneficiary organizations and individuals thanks to Noah’s commitment to our community.  

Matthew Howell is an accomplished intellectual property litigator at Alston & Bird, who has also built a robust pro bono practice, working closely with non-profit organizations in Atlanta.  More recently, Matthew has stepped up to serve the underrepresented in our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, protecting the rights of impoverished and/or unemployed individuals who are unable to make their rent payments because of the pandemic’s economic impact.  During his remarks at the awards ceremony, Matthew credited the late Patrick Flinn, Cheryl Naja, Alston & Bird, and others with motivating him to give back to the community.

Gail Podolsky is a Shareholder at Carlton Fields and chairs the firm’s Technology Industry Group.  Gail has spent significant time volunteering and providing legal assistance on a pro bono basis.  She has fought to protect individuals’ voting rights, individuals’ right to wear religious head coverings in court, healthcare heroes on the front line of the pandemic, and many others.  Pete Wellborn, Managing Member of Wellborn & Wallace, acknowledged the “astoundingly broad and effective scope of her many philanthropic and pro bono activities throughout her career.”  Further, “Gail has educated and inspired countless others to pick up and share the mantle of community service,” including the awards ceremony audience whom she called upon to give back to the community.   

The future of IP Community Service leadership

In the future, IP Lifetime Achievement Award for Community Service will be granted every three years, as is the IP Community Service Award.  These awards are consistent with GIPA’s mission and vision of recognizing outstanding individuals who work to advance intellectual property for the good of society.  

Contact for more information on the IP Community Service Awards

Wade Walker
GIPA Vice Chair
IP Ecosystem Collaboration

Susan Wellborn
Co-Chair
IP Community Service Awards