Award Nomination Forms and Information
Tom Arnold Lifetime Achievement Award
The Tom Arnold lifetime achievement award honors those who had a significant impact on the intellectual property law practice in Texas.
Tom Arnold Lifetime Achievement Award Nomination Form 2021
Lifetime Achievement Award Nominating Criteria
The recipient should have practiced law, or otherwise been involved with Intellectual Property Law, for a minimum of 25 years. The recipient’s career should have had a significant impact on the Intellectual Property Law practice in Texas and should preferably be a long-time member of the IP Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. The recipient shall be living or have passed away within the preceding year. The award shall be considered annually, but not necessarily awarded annually.
Please submit your nominations for the award by March 31, 2021 to Michael Locklar.
| 2021 | Gale R. (Pete) Peterson |
| 2020 | Ed Fein |
| 2019 | Tom Morris |
| 2018 | Robert Turner |
| 2017 | Paul Janicke |
| 2016 | V. Bryan Medlock, Jr. |
| 2015 | Louis T. Pirkey |
| 2014 | Bernarr R. (Bill) Pravel |
| 2013 | Eugenia (Genie) Hansen |
“Fritz Lanham” Annual Trademark Award
2021 Fritz Lanham Trademark Award Nomination Form
The purpose of the award is to recognize lawyers and businesses for their accomplishments on brand-related projects. The award may be given to anyone of the following: 1) Individual lawyer or legal team for significant accomplishments in the legal community related to trademarks; or 2) Business or brand team for significant achievements related to promotion of a brand or marketing innovation. Attorney nominees must be licensed in Texas. If a business or brand team is nominated, the company should have a headquarters or significant business operations based in Texas.
| 2022 | Joe Cleveland, Bracket & Ellis, P.C. |
| 2021 | Craig Stone, Phillips 66 |
| 2019 | Leanne Stendell, TGI Friday’s Inc. |
| 2018 | Joseph J. Ferretti, PepsiCo |
| 2017 | University of Houston Law Center |
Texas Outstanding Inventor Award
2022 SBOT Inventor of the Year Nomination Form
All nominations must be based on inventions that have significantly impacted the Texas economy.
Please submit your nominations for the award by April 1, 2022 to submit Stephanie Dowdy.
| 2021 | Dr. Corey Clark |
| 2020 | Jason McLellan, University of Texas at Austin |
| 2019 | Frank Bradley Stamps, Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. |
| 2018 | Dr. Eric Maidla, Nexen Data Solutions, Inc. |
| 2017 | Dan Scott – Baker Hughes |
| 2016 | Marc Cox for University of Texas- El Paso |
| 2015 | Chris Hymel |
| 2014 | David Kumhyr, IBM |
| 2014 | Rhonda Childress, IBM |
| 2008 | Robert E. Smith III of National Coupling Company, Inc., for underwater couplings used in offshore drilling |
| 2007 | John Melanson for audio and mixed signal technologies |
| 2006 | Larry Hornbeck of TI for development of the digital micromirror device (DMD) |
| 2005 | Ravi Arimilli for Computer Server designs |
| 2004 | Dr. George Skidmore for Nanotechnology |
| 2003 | Donald R. Kelsey for Process for preparing polytrimethylene terephthalate |
| 2002 | Brian C. Clark for Method and Apparatus for Seismic Communication with a Downhole Tool |
| 2001 | Rom D. Young for Method and Apparatus for Using Steel Slag in Cement Clinker Production |
| 1999 | Claude D. Head, III for Segmented Asynchronous Operation of an Automated Assembly Line (computer controlled and operated automated assembly lines for the manufacturing of semiconductor circuits) |
| 1998 | Dr. Tsiu Chiu Chan for An Improved Cell Layout Used in the Semiconductor Static Memory Industry |
| 1999 | Dr. Carlton E. Ash for Stabilized Polyketone Polymer Compositions |
| 1996 | Julio C. Palmaz for Expandable Intraluminal Graft, and Method and Apparatus for Implanting an Expandable Intraluminal Graft |
| 1995 | Larry Smith for Catalytic Distillation for MTBE Production |
| 1993 | Paul Culley for System for Controlling the Transferring of Different Widths of Data Using Two Different Sets of Address Control and State Information Signals |
| 1992 | David A. Wolf for Bio-Reactor for Mammalian Cell Culture |
| 1991 | Leslie P. Williams for Foam-Applying Nozzle |
| 1990 | John L. Burba III for Mixed Metal Hydroxide Fluids |
| 1988 | Jack St. Clair Kilby for Integrated Circuit |
| 1987 | Serge A. Scherbatskoy for Well Logging |
| 1986 | Donald R. Smith for Freezing and Cooking Using Forced Air |
| 1985 | Robert S. Loof Bourrow for Floating Point Amplifier Recorder and Sonic Logging |
| 1984 | Gordon H. Matthews for Watsbox Telecommunication System |
| 1983 | Robert P. Popovich and Jack Moncrief for Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis |
Chair Award
| 2021-2022 | Craig Stone |
| 2019-2020 | Mike Locklar |
| 2018-2019 | Megan Hoyt |
| 2017-2018 | Joe Cleveland |
| 2016-2017 | Howard Lim |
| 2015-2016 | Leisa Peschel |
| 2014-2015 | Herb Hammond |
| 2013-2014 | Hope Shimabuku |
| 2012-2013 | Indranil Chowdhury |
| 2007-2008 | Shannon Bates |
| 2006-2007 | Molly Buck Richard |
| 2005-2006 | Edward G. Fiorito |
| 2004-2005 | Charles S. Cotropia |
| 2003-2004 | Kimbley L. Muller |
| 2002-2003 | Robert W. Turner |
| 2001-2002 | Ned Conley |
| 2000-2001 | William G. Barber |
| 1998-1999 | Andrew J. Dillon |
| 1997-1998 | Jerry R. Selinger |
| 1996-1997 | Margaret A. Boulware |
| 1995-1996 | William L. LaFuze |
| 1994-1995 | Gale R. Peterson |
| 1993-1994 | Louis Pirkey |
| 1992-1993 | V. Bryan Medlock |
| 1991-1992 | Jack C. Goldstein |
| 1990-1991 | Frank S. Vaden, III |
| 1989-1990 | Bernarr R. Pravel |
| 1988-1989 | Tom Arnold |
| 1987-1988 | James A. Reilly |
| 1986-1987 | D. Carl Richards |
| 1985-1986 | Frank B. Pugsley |
SBOT IP Section Diversity Scholarship Award
The Intellectual Property Law Section of the State Bar of Texas will award two $5,000 scholarships to eligible law students. Any student enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school in Texas during any part of the application submission period may apply. Students who have been accepted to law school but have not yet started classes at the time the application is filed are not eligible. Students who have graduated at the time the scholarship is awarded are eligible.
The purpose of the scholarships is to encourage law students who have not traditionally been represented in the Intellectual Property practice to enter the Intellectual Property profession in Texas by providing financial assistance to help defray the expenses of a law-school education. Selection criteria for the scholarships include but are not limited to: scholastic merit; financial need; membership in a socio-economic group traditionally under-represented in the practice; demonstrated experience and interest in the practice; Texas roots; first generation in a family to go to college or law school; science and engineering undergraduate education or experience; contributions to or participation in minority or diversity programs; disabilities; community service; and extracurricular activities both inside and outside law school, including legal externships or internships in the field of intellectual property. The Deadline for submitting applications is May 1, 2021.
| 2021 | Lyell Anderson and Kelsey Eyanson |
| 2020 | Megan Mitchell and Haytham Soliman |
| 2019 | Danielle Zapata and Vernetra Gavin |
| 2018 | Jolene Robin-McCaskill and Brandon Cofield |
| 2017 | Charles Liu and Paige Edwards |
| 2016 | Hector Leal and Juan Yaquian |
| 2015 | Samon Kadivar, Mikeyia Dawkins, and Jun Zheng |
| 2014 | Ping Lei and Tamoka Bellard |
| 2011 | Juanita DeLoach, Yujane Wu, Anthony Nguyen |
| 2010 | Shruti Krishnan and Ricardo Bonilla |
| 2008 | Ryan Abbott and Kathy Li |
| 2007 | Sheila Kadura, Johnson Kuncheria, and Jennifer Librach |
| 2006 | Valerie Yu-Mei Chen, Debera Wells |
| 2005 | Elizabeth McKee, Hope Shimabuku, and John Yang |
| 2004 | Anna Elise McMinn and Amos Olubunmi |
Writing Contest Award
| 2008 | How-Ying Albert Liou |
| 2007 | Leisa Peschel |