Nona D.

Patent Trial and Appeal Board, Legal Administrative Specialist

Have a growth mindset. Be a lifelong learner. Your knowledge and education are something that no one can take away.”

Meet Nona—an experienced legal professional whose commitment to growth has led to a variety of roles throughout her career and during her time at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Her first USPTO role was as a paralegal with the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). “Learning the processes and working with the judges and staff to ensure we provide the best and most accurate work product was a great experience,” reflects Nona.

Now, she serves as a PTAB Legal Administrative Specialist supporting the Office of the Chief Judge. “It provides a variety of opportunities to work on a wide range of projects that further the mission of the agency,” Nona explains. She finds it energizing to enhance her team’s work products, and to be contributing to advancement of the agency’s strategic plan.

“The USPTO is my first federal agency—and it has provided me with so many amazing opportunities for learning and growth,” says Nona, who holds a bachelor of science in business management and a paralegal certificate.

Previously, she worked for more than 10 years providing paralegal and administrative support at both small boutique and large worldwide private patent law firms.

“I enjoyed working with attorneys and inventors and helping to present filings in their best form to the USPTO,” she recalls.

Finding the right fit at the USPTO

“I had many friends that worked at the USPTO who constantly raved about how it is the best federal agency to work for,” she explains. “While working in private sector, I had contact with the USPTO when submitting filings and reaching out with questions. It was a natural transition to switch to the receiving end of the same process. Moving and starting over never stopped me from pursuing what I wanted to do; in fact, they kept me motivated.” 

"A highly collaborative environment"

“I work in a highly collaborative environment. The best part of my job is the relationships I build and the people I work with. I’m surrounded by highly intelligent and passionate professionals who are dedicated to their work. I’m grateful to be part of that extraordinary team, as well as to have management that listens to my ideas, considers them, and provides an atmosphere of professional and personal learning and growth,” shares Nona.

Seizing multiple growth opportunities

Nona soon realized the USPTO is a place where she could increase her skills. 

“I discovered that the USPTO offers many opportunities for personal growth and professional development, both internally through agency-provided initiatives and externally through the After Work Education program,” she says.

Nona opted to enroll in the Administrative Professionals Excellence Program and the Emerging Leaders Program. Both internal programs provided her with a deeper understanding of the agency and helped her discover her interests and strengths.

But she didn’t stop there. She applied to and was selected for a developmental detail in the Office of the Chief Communications Officer as a writer-editor, managing website content for the vast array of free events that the USPTO offers. She went on to serve as acting editor-in-chief, overseeing web content for the USPTO website. “I got to interact with professionals from all the different business units within the USPTO, saw how the USPTO works as a whole to support external partners, and gained a deeper understanding of various communication means,” Nona describes.

Nona also learned about outreach, which led to a developmental position as a program analyst in the Office of Education (now part of the Office of Public Engagement). There, she served the American public by assisting to bring invention education to teachers and learners across the country through programs and events. “This really gave me a further appreciation for outreach and the importance of IP education and providing equitable access to all,” she says.

Nona's personal recipe for success

Nona advises others looking to take a similar career path: “Have a growth mindset. Be a lifelong learner. Your knowledge and education are something that no one can take away,” shares Nona. “Throughout my life, I took advantage of every opportunity to educate myself and improve my skills.”

“Give it your best without expecting immediate gratification,” she continues, “You are part of a team and contribute to the team’s success. Show up with a positive attitude, make new connections, talk to people, make yourself visible.”

And through hard work, Nona has proven herself to be a crucial piece of “Team USPTO!”