Nyasha Foy Makes History as 1st Black Woman IP Law Chair

Nyasha Foy has reached a historic milestone after being named chair of the New York State Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Law Section. Her journey with the section began in 2009, when she joined as a first-year law student and section fellow. Over the years, Nyasha took on several leadership positions, including chair of the Young Lawyers Committee and secretary, treasurer and vice chair of the Executive Committee.

She now becomes the section’s first Black woman chair. In her new role, Nyasha aims to strengthen the organization while creating opportunities for the next generation of lawyers to take on leadership positions.

“Serving as the first Black woman to chair the Intellectual Property Law Section is deeply meaningful to me, but I also see the moment as part of a much larger story. I’ve had the benefit of learning from previous leaders of this section, and now I have an opportunity to help create those same opportunities for the lawyers and leaders who come next,” Foy said.

Adding to the significance of this historic milestone, the section’s officers are all women—a leadership slate believed to be the first of its kind in the section’s 35-year history.

Key Highlights:

• Nyasha has become the first Black woman to chair the New York State Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Law Section
• She aims to create more opportunities for young lawyers and law students to build leadership skills
• Her leadership will focus on emerging areas such as AI, fashion, technology and intellectual property

“One of the things that are remarkable for me is that because I’ve been a part of this section since 2009, I’ve had the privilege of being part of its rich institutional history; that’s incredibly valuable to me. I am very grateful to still have the founders of our section, including Founding Chair Rory Radding, as active Executive Committee members,” Nyasha said. “I think there is something powerful about being able to carry forward what has worked while also asking what the section needs for its next chapter.”

The opportunities provided by the section have benefited a lifetime of the section's leadership, including opportunities in benefits, leadership and networking, program development, speaking opportunities, and writing in the section newsletter, Bright Ideas.

“One of the things I care most about is making the section feel accessible at every stage of a lawyer’s career. You shouldn’t have to arrive with a particular title, practice area or network already in place to find your place here.” Nyasha said. “Whether you want to write, speak, learn, build relationships or take on a leadership role, there should be a door you can walk through.”

The section continues with a Young Lawyers Fellowship Program, monthly coffee hours and the award of the Miriam Maccoby Netter Scholarship.

Its goal is to increase the participation of law students and young lawyers in the section’s activities by giving them a voice and a seat at the table at the section’s Executive Committee. Fellows are also offered complimentary entry to many of the section's events, such as the Annual Conference, and may have their work published in the section's newsletter, if it is accepted.

The monthly Bright Ideas Coffee Hour, which was initiated by Immediate Past Section Chair Bill Samuels, is a virtual program that affords members an opportunity to learn from each other in an informal environment.

Lastly, the Netter Scholarship is awarded to a single or two law school students who are interested in IP law. This fall we will be announcing the $5,000 recipient(s). The scholarship is geared toward attracting the next generation to leadership within the section, Foy said.

“Supporting students interested in intellectual property is really about investing in the future of the profession. We want students and young lawyers to see themselves in this field, understand that there is a community here for them and know that there are people willing to open doors for them. That’s the kind of pipeline we want to build,” she said.

In the future, Nyasha is planning for the Fall Meeting for the section on Thursday, Sept. The Calvin Klein Showroom, New York City, 24. The programming will focus on the convergence of fashion, IP and the new tech. The panelists will address the influence of Artificial Intelligence on the fashion industry and measures to ensure that brands are not infringed upon online and adequately protected against counterfeiting.

Nyasha has been increasingly working on the nexus of IP, tech, media & culture, and in her professional career, the section's exploration of fashion, AI and emerging technology are most aligned with the issues she sees positioned on the horizon of the profession.

“I’m thinking about this chairmanship as an opportunity to build on what I’ve inherited and to make sure the section is even stronger for the people who come after me. I benefited enormously from people who were willing to give me a seat at the table early in my career. I want to make sure we keep pulling up chairs,” Nyasha said.