October 22, 2009

 

PHOENIX, ARIZ. – The national law firm of Quarles & Brady is pleased to announce that Wendy Kemp Akbar, an attorney in its Intellectual Property Practice Group, has been selected by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce as its 2009 Young Professional Athena Award winner. She received her award at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon on October 21.

To receive this prestigious award, the honoree must have shown that she will:

• Act as an emerging leader who demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in her business or profession within the Greater Phoenix area.
• Provide a valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community.
• Clearly serve as a role model for young women personally and professionally.

Ms. Akbar, who was diagnosed with a severe-to-profound hearing loss at an early age, has become a successful attorney with Quarles & Brady for the past two years. Her current activities include serving as incoming Chair of the Arizona State Bar's Committee for Persons with Disabilities in the Legal Profession, serving on the Advisory Board of the Arizona Science and Engineering Fair and participating in the firm's “Quarles Cares” community programs.

“We congratulate Wendy on her honor,” said Jon Pettibone, Quarles & Brady's Phoenix Office Managing Partner. “She epitomizes our firm's commitment to diversity and providing a working environment in which each of our attorneys can thrive.”

In receiving her award, Ms. Akbar said: “Much of my passion and energy is focused on serving as a mentor for students and young professionals with hearing impairments and to help all young girls and women discover their potential in technology and science. Many young women have heard the word 'can't' – I want them to know that they 'can'.”  To view her acceptance speech, click on Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce 2009 Athena Awards. 

Ms. Akbar represents clients in all aspects of complex commercial litigation with a focus on intellectual property litigation, particularly patent litigation, trademark, trade dress and copyright litigation, false advertising and licensing disputes. She also advises and assists clients on transactional intellectual property matters. She earned her law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and her undergraduate degree, with high honors, from Swarthmore College.

Quarles & Brady LLP is a full-service law firm with more than 450 attorneys practicing from offices in Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz.; Chicago, Ill.; Naples, Fla.; and Milwaukee and Madison, Wis. The Firm offers an array of legal services to corporate and individual clients that range from small entrepreneurial businesses to Fortune 100 companies. Additional information about the Firm may be found at www.quarles.com.