Cynthia Henderson serves as the intellectual property (IP) counselor based in Mexico City and covers Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. She advocates for the United States’ IP interests abroad by promoting high standards of IP protection and enforcement in the region, assisting U.S. companies, advising U.S. government officials on IP matters, and engaging with countries in her region on IP issues.
Ms. Henderson was formerly an attorney-advisor in the Office of Policy and International Affairs at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), where she handled policy matters relating to trademark issues in the United States and abroad. Ms. Henderson’s responsibilities included participating in the development and implementation of trademark laws and policy, providing legal and technical assistance to foreign governments to assist them in complying with their IP obligations, and developing and negotiating U.S. positions on IP issues on behalf of the USPTO and the U.S. government.
Prior to joining the USPTO, Ms. Henderson was a senior associate with the law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski (now Norton Rose Fulbright) in Washington, D.C., where she counseled clients in the areas of trademark and copyright law and provided advice on the protection of IP in the United States and abroad. Ms. Henderson also worked as an associate for the law firm of Arent Fox in Washington, D.C., in the field of IP. Prior to joining private practice, Ms. Henderson worked as a trademark examining attorney for the USPTO.
Ms. Henderson received her law degree from the George Washington University Law School and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia. She is licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia.
About the USPTO and the Office of Policy and International Affairs
Aside from the issuance of patents and registration of trademarks, the USPTO has a statutory mandate to advise the President and all federal agencies, through the Secretary of Commerce, on national and international intellectual property (IP) policy issues, including IP protection in other countries. In addition, the USPTO is authorized by statute to provide guidance, conduct programs and studies, and interact with IP offices worldwide—and with international intergovernmental organizations—on matters involving IP.
The USPTO’s Office of Policy and International Affairs fulfills this mandate by leading negotiations on behalf of the United States at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO); advising the Administration on the negotiation and implementation of the IP provisions of international trade agreements; advising the Secretary of Commerce and the Administration on a full range of IP policy matters, including in the areas of patent, copyright, trademarks, and trade secrets; conducting empirical research on IP; and providing educational programs on the protection, use, and enforcement of IP.