Podcast: Understanding and championing disability and neurodiversity within IP

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Gardens, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2026

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Podcast: Understanding and championing disability and neurodiversity within IP

MIP IP Lounge website image copy@4x (1).png

In the eighth episode of a podcast series celebrating the tenth anniversary of IP Inclusive, we discuss IP Ability, a network for disabled people and carers active in the IP profession


Managing IP is proud to publish the latest episode in a series of podcasts celebrating the tenth anniversary of UK-based diversity network IP Inclusive.

In this episode, the eighth of 10, we discuss IP Inclusive’s ‘IP Ability’ network. IP Ability is the community for disabled people, carers and their allies working within the IP professions.

We are joined by Marianne Privett, co-chair of IP Ability and a partner at Venner Shipley and Victoria Barker, a member of the IP Ability committee and an associate at Finnegan. Also joining the episode is Tom Leonard, partner at Kilburn & Strode.

We explore the challenges faced by IP professionals impacted by disabilities and neurodiversity, and the opportunities for the sector from those in this group.

IP Inclusive was set up in 2015 to promote and improve DEI and wellbeing throughout the UK’s IP profession.

It aims to ensure that the UK’s IP profession is open and welcoming to all those with the necessary aptitude, regardless of their age, gender, race, sexuality, religion, physical and cognitive ability, wealth, and background.

Previous episodes in the series have focused on unconscious bias, the ‘Careers in Ideas’ network and IP Out, a network for LGBTQAI+ people and their allies working in the IP professions.

The entire podcast series is also available on the IP Inclusive YouTube channel.

more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

News of Dolby suing Snap over AV1 and HEVC patents and SCOTUS offering guidance on the liability of internet service providers were also among the top talking points
Arrival of Caitlin Heard will bolster the soon-to-be-created Ashurst Perkins Coie’s IP presence in the capital
AI, cybersecurity and data practice group will provide clients with legal guidance around AI alongside a 'deep technical foundation’ in IP
Lawyers at Vondst and Biopatents say a ruling concerning the protected status of trade secrets could see the UPC flooded with requests to prevent access to confidential information
Sharad Vadehra of Kan & Krishme discusses why older IP firms still have an edge over up-and-coming boutiques and how the firm is using AI to provide quick and cost-effective service
Lawyers at Appleyard Lees share how they picked apart a plant breeder’s infringement claims concerning the ‘Tango’ mandarin
A further decision on long-arm status, and a new hire for Pentarc in Germany from Taylor Wessing were also among top developments
The US decision marks a rare grant of a request under the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act in a patent case
Stobbs has applied to strike out a contempt of court application filed against the firm and two of its lawyers
With trademark volumes surging, trademark teams need to think beyond traditional clearance searches, towards a continuous, intelligence-led workflow, says Meghan Medeiros of Corsearch
Gift this article