Toppin, Catherine J.

Catherine Toppin began her career as an Examiner with the USPTO before joining a Boston based law firm, as an Associate.  Prior to joining CBW, Ms. Toppin previously held the role of Senior Patent Counsel and Manager, within the Global Patent Operation of General Electric’s Corporate legal department.

During her seven years with GE, Ms. Toppin managed a global team of attorneys and patent agents, developed IP strategy for a number of business divisions, and provided transactional support for GE Ventures Licensing.  Her wide range of experience also includes, drafting and prosecuting patent applications in the electrical/mechanical arts (e.g., software, telecommunications, semiconductor fabrication, medical devices, business methods); preparing and prosecuting trademark portfolios for international clients; conducting patent/trademark due diligence; drafting freedom to operate & validity opinions and processes; and providing IP litigation support.

Ms. Toppin is a frequent guest speaker throughout the country on Intellectual Property matters.  In 2018, she participated on a panel at the IP Strategy Summit, in Boston entitled “Patent Prosecution and Portfolio Management.”  She also presented on “Strategic & Transactional: Building a Strong Patent Portfolio: Views from In-House”, and served as a panelist on “Critical Issues & Best Practices” at the Practicing Law Institute in New York City and San Francisco.

Ms. Toppin has received a number of awards for her professional and extracurricular endeavors, most recently the National Bar Association’s Diversity in Tech Award, and the Network Journal’s 40 under Forty Achievement Award.  Her current non-profit board involvement includes service as a member of the Princeton University School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Leadership Advisory Council, board member of the Association of Black Princeton Alumni, and Secretary of the board of directors of New England Blacks in Philanthropy.  In her spare time, Ms. Toppin enjoys playing the violin with the New Westchester Symphony orchestra.