Le[a]dBetter® Program Overview

Le[a]dBetter® Program Overview

Whether they are startups or established entities, businesses are striving to level the leadership playing field. To help make gender equality in business leadership a reality, Perkins Coie is proud to offer Le[a]dBetter®, an innovative program that supports startups with women in senior executive roles, and Le[a]dBetter® Imagine, a unique offering that recognizes women inventors and their companies.

Le[a]dBetter®

Le[a]dBetter® was inspired by the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, legislation drafted in response to the Lilly Ledbetter gender wage gap lawsuit and the first bill signed into law by former President Barack Obama. An innovative educational, networking, and alternative fee arrangement program, it is designed to offer support to companies in the startup ecosystem that demonstrate inclusion and business leadership diversity in their executive suite.

We know that capital is the primary catalyst for business growth. To help women business leaders maximize their company’s capital, we are offering qualifying startups with at least one woman in a senior leadership role a 15% discount off of our standard hourly rates for certain legal services for a limited period. We also include fee packages not based on hourly rates, one example of which is Le[a]dBetter® Imagine.

Portfolio of Services

 

Services offered under Le[a]dBetter® include those that are most often requested by our emerging growth company clients. A few of the legal service areas under which we currently provide counsel under the program are listed below.

Once a company is engaged as a client under the Le[a]dBetter® program, they are eligible for a host of other legal services that we can provide under a wide range of alternative fee arrangement options.

Le[a]dBetter® Imagine

Contributions by women inventors are critical to advancing innovation. To create a more inclusive IP environment, Perkins Coie developed Le[a]dBetter® Imagine, a program that honors the work of women inventors and offers key benefits to support women’s participation in the innovation ecosystem. Le[a]dBetter® Imagine, inspired by the USPTO’s Progress and Potential Report, provides women inventors and their companies with educational programming, networking events, and discounts for select patent services under Perkins Coie’s Le[a]dBetter® program.

Le[a]dBetter® Imagine offers alternative fee arrangements for Le[a]dBetter-qualifying startups and emerging companies by offering credit for nonprovisional patent application filings that name woman inventors.

Women Inventors — By the Numbers
Leadbetter - Women Inventors — By the Numbers

The momentum of women inventor participation captured in the July 2020 USPTO’s Progress and Potential report is both promising and needed. The report found:

  • More women are entering and staying active in the patent system than ever before.
  • The number of patents with at least one woman inventor increased from 20.7% in 2016 to 21.9% by the end of 2019.
  • The “Women Inventor Rate” (WIR) – the share of U.S. inventors receiving patents who are women – increased from 12.1% in 2016 to 12.8% in 2019.
  • The share of women among new inventors on issued patents increased from 16.6% in 2016 to 17.3% by 2019.
  • The gender gap in the number of women inventors who remain active by patenting again within five years is decreasing. For new inventors in 2014, 46% of women patented again in the next five years versus 52% of men (by 2019). In 1980, the gap was 28% for women versus 38% for men.

Qualifying for Legal Services

Who is the target audience for Le[a]dBetter® services?

The target audience for legal services under the Le[a]dBetter® program is startups and emerging companies with at least one woman in a senior leadership role and, under Le[a]dBetter® Imagine, women inventors and their companies.

To qualify for Le[a]dBetter® Imagine, companies must qualify for Le[a]dBetter® and have at least one named woman inventor on a nonprovisional patent application.

Can my company receive both Le[a]dBetter and Le[a]dBetter Imagine discounts?

Yes. You can receive the traditional Le[a]dBetter® discount of 15% off our standard hourly rates for certain legal services for a limited period. Qualifying startups with women inventors can also receive the Le[a]dBetter Imagine® discount after the initial Le[a]dBetter® discount expires.  

Are startups led by men or with a majority of men in their C-suite eligible to benefit from the support provided to Le[a]dBetter® startups?

Yes, men who lead startups are welcome to participate in the program. Executives at qualifying startups led by men or women that include at least one woman in a senior leadership role are eligible to receive the discount on legal services and attend Le[a]dBetter® networking and educational events. The program is designed so companies that value and demonstrate inclusivity may benefit.

How do I start the qualification process?

CLICK HERE to provide details about your company that will help us determine your eligibility.

Is there anything else I should know?

Yes. Please note that the presence of at least one woman in a senior leadership role does not automatically qualify your company for inclusion in the Le[a]dBetter® program. Before establishing an attorney-client relationship under the Le[a]dBetter® program, we will need to run a thorough conflicts background check to identify possible issues, such as determining if any adverse party relationships exist with our current clients. If a conflict does exist, it must be cleared and/or the appropriate waivers obtained. If it cannot be cleared, the company is not eligible for services under Le[a]dBetter®. If clearances are obtained, Perkins Coie and the company or individual will need to agree to such a relationship in an engagement letter. Eligibility is determined at the discretion of Perkins Coie.
Women in the workplaces
Form

Qualifications Intake Form

Women in Senior Leadership Roles and Funding of General Diverse VC-backed Startups

Venture capital funding overall has surged in recent years, but the numbers for female founders haven't progressed at the same pace. Last year, global VC funding to female founders dropped dramatically. Crunchbase data confirms more than 800 female-founded startups globally received a total of $4.9 billion in venture funding through mid-December, representing a 27% decrease over the same period last year.

Hundreds of new female-led companies were launched in the past 12 months and many women-led funds and incubators focused on female founders invested in them. According to International Finance Corporation, only 11% of seed funding capital in emerging markets goes to companies with a woman on their founding team, and the figures are even lower - 5% - for later-stage funding.

The gender pay, financing, and leadership gaps between women of color is even larger. If you are a founder of color, particularly African-American woman or Latina, you face enormous challenges in obtaining funding in this environment, but the landscape is getting better. As of December 2018, only 34 Black female founders had ever raised $1 million in venture capital for their company. In recent years, ProjectDiane, a biennial report on the state of Black and Latinx women founders by the organization digital undivided, reported that stat has nearly tripled, with 93 Black women and 90 Latinas now reporting they have secured $1 million or more in investor backing for their businesses.

Why Focus on Startups?

We developed Le[a]dBetter® to encourage startups and their investors to establish and value a culture of inclusion and gender equality from day one. Women play a vital role in the success of our firm, and we know they can and have played critical roles in the successes of numerous startups. We want to do our part to support startups that are committed to excellence in diversity and demonstrate that commitment by recognizing the accomplishments and contributions of women.

Resources for Women Entrepreneurs

More women than ever before are embracing the C-Suite and entrepreneurship. Women-owned businesses are a strong part of economies all over the world and the number of resources for women entrepreneurs is growing. 

Check out the list of resources we have compiled to help your startup grow into a thriving company.

Women-led and Women-focused Investment Firms

HeForShe Workforce Parity Report

Check out the inaugural HeForShe Workforce Parity Report, a product of a UN Women initiative that aims to mobilize men and boys in the fight for gender and business leadership equality.

Women Entrepreneurship Organizations and Other Resources

Much Respect to Girls Who Tech

Accelerate to Innovate

Check out the accelerators listed below that are doing their part to help women succeed in the startup ecosystem.

Events

Upcoming Events

2023 Events

10.11.2023

Le[a]dBetter Webinar: Happily Ever During
In observance of International Day of the Girl on October 11, we invite you to a thought-provoking Le[a]dBetter webinar delving into the science of happiness impacting women and girls of all ages. We will talk about the frequent fiction of what society and social media tell us makes us happy, often perpetuated by the illusion of a "happily ever after" rather than finding joy in the present.

Watch the event recording here.

05.18.2023

Le[a]d Webinar: Productive Conversations in Polarized Times
A presentation that focused on the how-tos of critical conversations that create meaningful change. Following the webinar, attendees heard from Dr. Karen Lisko, Perkins Coie’s senior litigation consultant and persuasive communications advisor. Dr. Lisko did a deeper dive into strategies for effective listening, empathetic communication, and respectful dialogue, all of which are key to creating constructive environments for productive discussions.

03.30.2023

Connection, Cuisine, and Conversation To Cap Off Women’s History Month
Perkins Coie LLP / San Francisco, CA
An evening of authentic connection and dynamic conversation capping off Women’s History Month. Attendees sipped, sampled, and socialized with women leaders from influential and pioneering companies during this invitation-only dinner.

03.29.2023

Le[a]dBetter Women’s History Month Cocktail Reception
Perkins Coie LLP / Seattle, WA
An invitation-only soirée celebrating Women’s History Month, hosted by the firm’s Le[a]dBetter program and Women’s Forum. Attendees enjoyed cocktails and appetizers while engaging in inspiring conversations and making meaningful connections with other local women leaders.

03.29.2023

Le[a]dBetter Webinar: Championing Confidence With Conversations That Count
Virtual
Perkins Coie hosted a program focusing on communication techniques and methods for navigating crucial conversations, conflict resolution, and negotiation.

Dr. Karen Lisko, Perkins Coie’s senior litigation consultant and persuasive communications advisor, led a discussion to help attendees learn to bring their best to every conversation, in business and beyond. Topics addressed included:

  • Five steps to being a successful communicator during important conversations.
  • Powerful verbal and nonverbal messaging in virtual meetings.
  • Impromptu speaking techniques for increased effectiveness as a communicator.

Watch the event recording here.

03.21.2023

Women’s History Month Cocktail Reception and Q&A With Julia Boorstin
New York, NY
An invite-only soirée that celebrated Women’s History Month and featured author and CNBC Senior Media & Tech Correspondent Julia Boorstin. Attendees enjoyed delicious cocktails and made meaningful connections with other women leaders during an intimate reception and an informative Q&A session on Julia’s recently released book, When Women Lead: What They Achieve, Why They Succeed, and How We Can Learn From Them.

2022 Events

06.20.2022

Fintech Powered by Women NYC.NFT
New York, NY
Cocktails and bites at Magic Hour at Moxy NY Times Square before the NFT.NYC conference on June 20, 2022, was a fabulous evening with gorgeous views and pleasant company. It was perfect to connect before the conference and create community with other women in fintech. This happy hour was co-hosted by Perkins Coie’s Fintech group and the Le[a]dBetter® program.

04.27.2022

WeROC Idaho
Boise, ID
Lead sponsor for WeROC in Idaho.

2021 Events

06.17.2021

A Conversation with Christine Pelosi
Virtual
This virtual featured political strategist and author Christine Pelosi. Christine shared details about wisdom gleaned from her mother and detailed in her book, The Nancy Pelosi Way: Advice on Success, Leadership, and Politics From America’s Most Powerful Woman. She also discussed how Madam Speaker Pelosi became one of the highest-ranking elected government officials in U.S. history, explored what women can do to claim a seat at the leadership table, and shared her views on how tapping the full potential of diverse employees leads to stronger companies and communities.

03.05.2021

BIWOC Gathering Circle: Health, Healing, and Hope
Virtual Summit
The goal of the BIWOC Gathering Circle is to create a dialogue among, Black women, Indigenous women, and women of color, health policy professionals and decision-makers, health care providers, startups in the healthcare space, and other relevant stakeholders about the key issues that uniquely or disproportionately impact on the health status and health care of women of color and people who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

2020 Events

09.28.2020 - 10.02.2020

Black and Brown Founders
CHROMA Conference / Virtual 
Learn from Black and Latinx tech entrepreneurs, leaders, and subject matter experts from around the United States and internationally.

09.28.2020
Basic Legal Considerations 
George Colindres; Paul Ford; Sophia Mellein; Paul Navarro

09.29.2020
Social Impact Panel
Shayne Veramallay

09.30.2020
Unapologetically Ambitious
Shayne Veramallay

10.01.2020
Invested Women Panel
Elizabeth Omidian

10.02.2020
Intellectual Property 101
Alberto Araiza; Andrew Roppel

03.05.2020

TechGC Inaugural Women’s Collective Dinner
Grand Hyatt Skyline & Rooftop / San Francisco, CA
In observance of International Women's Day and International Women's History Month, Perkins Coie hosted the inaugural Women's Collective dinner on behalf of TechGC, an independent, invitation-only community for general counsels of technology companies and venture capital funds. The dinner featured a panel that explored how GC's can build their personal brand, which was moderated by Fiona Brophy, co-chair of Perkins Coie's Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Practice.
 

2019 Events

12.03.2019

Managing IP International Women’s Leadership Forum Dinner
Perkins Coie / San Francisco, CA 
Perkins Coie hosted a dinner with guests that included women industry leaders focused on managing intellectual property for innovative companies. Attendees were encouraged to strengthen and develop connections while enjoying cocktails, cuisine and great conversation.

11.20.2019

Meet a VC Capital Conversations Series: Gillian Muessig from Mastersfund™
Perkins Coie / Seattle, WA
Perkins Coie, Bridge Bank, Early Growth Financial Services and TriNet hosted a lunch featuring Gillian Muessig from Mastersfund™. Founders heard from Gillian about current investments and fundraising approaches, and had an opportunity to ask questions related to their particular business needs.

11.20.2019

Catalonia Connects
Perkins Coie / New York, NY
On behalf of the Catalonia Trade & Investment Authority, Perkins Coie was pleased to welcome a delegation of 11 Barcelona-based female-led startups to pitch their startup idea to an audience of prominent NYC-based investors and high-growth startup founders followed by a networking reception.

11.08.2019

Le[a]dBetter Represents: Cocktails, Cuisine and Colorful Conversation
International Smoke / San Francisco, CA
Sip, savor and socialize with other disruptive thought leaders at this premier, innovation ecosystem event while engaging in inspiring conversations and making meaningful connections. 

11.07.2019

Startup Legal 101
Perkins Coie / San Francisco, CA
Perkins Coie joined forces with The Violet Society, a career mentorship and community for female and non-binary techies, to present a hands-on workshop and Q&A session covering questions about startup legal issues.

09.23.2019

Puget Sound Business Journal’s 40 Under 40
Seattle, WA 
Armoire + The Riveter 40 Under 40 event celebrated current and former female recipients of the Puget Sound Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award.
Location: Armoire | 505 1st Ave. S, Suite 100, Seattle, WA

09.18.2019

Meet a VC Capital Conversations Series: Julie Sandler of Pioneer Square Labs
Perkins Coie / Seattle, WA
Perkins Coie hosted an invite-only lunch event as part of our Capital Conversations Series. We sat down with Julie Sandler, partner at Pioneer Square Labs, to talk investment thesis, the current investment landscape, fundraising approaches and more.

09.07.2019

Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles Installation and Awards Gala
Hotel Indigo / Los Angeles, CA
Perkins Coie sponsored the 44th Annual Installation & Awards Ceremony honoring champions of service, leadership and innovation who help address the needs and concerns of African-American women in the legal profession.

08.27.2019

Women Who Hardware: Tips n Tricks to Master Public Speaking
Perkins Coie / New York, NY
Perkins Coie hosted an interactive roundtable workshop that brought together female founders, engineers and inventors to learn how to channel nervousness into positive energy using creative thinking and rhetorical strategy when speaking in public. The group received actionable presentation tools from GoldJam Creative that help boost creativity and confidence in communication.

05.23.2019

Silicon Valley Forum’s Women in Tech Festival
Computer History Museum / Mountain View, CA
The festival celebrates women in tech, STEM and other business careers who aim to inspire, engage and empower other women. Partner Fiona Brophy will moderate a panel of venture capitalists.

05.21.2019

Women's General Counsel Network Bay Area 10 Year Anniversary
The Women’s General Counsel Network (WGCN) brings together women general counsel to provide support and education relating to their professional roles. Perkins Coie sponsored the 10thAnniversary Celebration in support of a grant to target litigation, innovative policy advocacy, and education to secure equality and opportunity for women and girls.

03.27.2019

Le[a]dBetter® Women’s History Month Annual Dinner
Tamarine Restaurant / Palo Alto, CA
A celebration of our successes and discussion on the ways we can continue to push toward equality in business leadership in 2019 and beyond.

03.21.2019

What Women Know: Joining a Corporate Board
Perkins Coie / Seattle, WA
An executive level panel focused on the challenges and opportunities of organizational leadership as a member of a corporate board.

03.08.2019

#BalanceForBetter - Moving Equity Forward at Work
The Riveter: Capitol Hill / Seattle, WA
Discussions on gender bias in the workplace and how you can help cultivate inclusion at your company with actionable next steps.

2018 Events

06.26.2018

Women in Artificial Intelligence Dinner
Re-Work / San Francisco, CA
Over the course of the dinner, hear from leading female experts in machine learning & AI and discuss the impact of this rapidly advancing technology. Attendees will establish new connections and network with peers in sectors including retail, manufacturing, transport, healthcare & security.

04.04.2018 - 04.05.2018

Women In Venture - Rising Stars Retreat
Treehouse / San Francisco, CA
As part of our ongoing effort to promote diversity in Venture, Perkins Coie’s Le[a]dBetter program is a proud co-sponsor of the 1st Annual Women in Venture – Rising Stars Retreat. This is an invite-only 2-day retreat centered on bringing a small group of some of the best and brightest future leaders of the industry for both career and personal development. Fiona Brophy gave a presentation focused on negotiation skills.

04.05.2018

DealMakers Summit
Perkins Coie / Seattle, WA
Perkins Coie was a proud host and sponsor of the 2018 DealMakers Summit. This summit was built to bring together 65 women with a variety of backgrounds including entrepreneurs, executives and investors for a day of deal making and building relationships within the Seattle community.

2017 Events

10.18.2017

Bet on Her Casino Night
Perkins Coie / Seattle, WA 
WTIA's Executive Women in Tech (EWiT) and Perkins Coie's LeadBetter program invited a group of women executives for Bet on Her Casino Night, a fun, interactive evening which featured cocktails, cuisine and casino style gaming. Guests received a cocktail and poker chips at the door and settled in to play Texas Hold 'Em and other card games with expert dealers. Those who were new to betting big had the opportunity to learn how to play during the event to increase their odds of hitting the jackpot.

09.25.2017 - 09.26.2017

Gender Equity in the Workforce Open Discussion
Perkins Coie / Palo Alto, CA; San Francisco, CA 
Thought leaders Katherine Klein, Shannon Coulter and Shareen Punian led a discussion on gender equity. They shared their experiences and discussed how investing in women can influence positive change within a business.

08.07.2017

WTIA Golf Tournament
Glendale Country Club / Bellevue, WA
Perkins Coie partnered with WTIA to get women senior executives prepared to compete in the WTIA 22nd Annual Golf Tournament. Five women executives and two Perkins Coie lawyers attended private team golf lessons over a 6-week period in preparation for the WTIA annual tournament on August 7, 2017 in Bellevue, WA. The purpose of this partnership was to help women executives feel comfortable having a place on the golf course where so many business deals and discussions take place.

05.23.2017

Geek Girl Rising
Civic Hall / New York, NY
The book "Geek Girl Rising: Inside the Sisterhood Shaking Up Tech" by Heather Cabot and Samantha Walravens, is one of the most highly anticipated publications of the year. Perkins Coie, Civic Hall, Good Housekeeping and Sofie Coppola partnered together to host the initial book signing of the newly released book in New York on May 23, 2017. The co-authors signed books for over 100 attendees and participated in a Q&A led by Jane Francisco, Editor and Chief of Good Housekeeping magazine.

04.29.2017

BASES Women in Entrepreneurship Summit
Stanford University / Palo Alto, CA
A speaker summit for Stanford students interested in addressing issues faced by women entrepreneurs.

03.08.2017

International Women's Day Seattle
Perkins Coie / Seattle, WA
In celebration of International Women's Day 2017, over 75 people gathered to discuss gender equality in business leadership at our Cocktails, Cuisine and a Critical Conversation event. We were joined Author and Gender-Wage Gap Anti-discrimination Activist, Lily Ledbetter, and Longtime KING-TV News Anchor and Northwest Icon, Jean Enersen, who both described their views on gender-equality and tapped into how the full potential of women and diverse employees leads to stronger companies and communities.

02.22.2017

Emerging Growth Women's CEO Group Showcase & Investory Soiree
Perkins Coie / Seattle, WA
Perkins Coie’s Le[a]dBetter program is proud to co-host an invite-only event on behalf of the Emerging Growth Women’s CEO Group. This Showcase & Investory Soiree will be facilitated by Janis Machala of Paladin Partners and include a curated group of women-led companies that are currently raising capital. Perkins Coie is co-hosting this intimate gathering to connect innovative, fundable, women-led companies with angel investors. 

02.02.2017

NewCo Shift Forum 2017
St. Regis Hotel / San Francisco, CA
The purpose of SHIFT is to provide a forum where the leaders of both upstarts and established incumbents can gather for a frank and candid conversation about the near future of business in a climate of openness, trust, and shared learning. Unless specifically waived, the entire event will operate under Chatham House rule. Speakers will be drawn from the top echelons of the world’s most admired companies. NewCo will also pepper the program with the world’s most challenging and controversial academics, journalists, and authors. SHIFT’s program will focus on real world case studies, candid conversations with senior business leaders, and lessons learned.

2016 Events

10.27.2016

IP Strategy and Protection
Perkins Coie / San Francisco, CA 
Developing a solid intellectual property (IP) strategy is essential for emerging companies preparing for market entrance. Good “IP hygiene” demands that IP is protected from day one. IP Strategy & Protection, a Le[a]dBetter educational event focused on helping engineers and startup company executives develop a sharp tactical plan for protecting their company's IP before they start and during the lifespan of the company. Panelists for this event included General Counsel for ClearSlide, Olga Mack, and Perkins Coie Intellectual Property Partner, Jordan Becker.

10.27.2016

Le[a]dBetter Women in Leadership: What Makes Seattle’s Leaders Unique?
Perkins Coie / Seattle, WA
As more women than ever before embrace the C-Suite and entrepreneurship, what qualities are needed to succeed? And how does Seattle view its women in leadership? What qualities do we think make them unique? APCO Worldwide and Perkins Coie held a Le[a]dBetter Educational Networking Event discussing these issues and more during a conversation with Margery Kraus, Founder and Executive Chairman of APCO Worldwide, one of the world’s largest, women-led, independently owned, communications businesses. Margery shared anecdotes and insights regarding how she grew a company of two into a global enterprise.

10.01.2016

Girl Starter Production
New York, NY
Perkins Coie Business group lawyers Michael Glaser, Lisa McGimpsey, Daphne Higgs and Charles Torres made an appearance on "Girl Starter," a reality TV show that documents eight young women entrepreneurs as they learn about early-phase business building and compete for $100,000 in seed-round funding.
Michael Glaser, the client lead for Girl Starter LLC, assembled a team of lawyers, including Lisa Oratz, Grace Han Stanton, Martha Sandoval, Robert Saka, Jason Crain, Kirk Soderquist, Andrew Grant and Mike LaPlante, among others, to help the startup with matters related to trademarking the name, securing funding, and preparing contracts and talent agreements. Pre-production kicked off in October 2016, and casting took place shortly thereafter.
To learn more about "Girl Starter," visit www.GirlStarter.com.

09.22.2016

Engineering Success and Getting Others to Invest
Perkins Coie / San Francisco, CA
Engineering Success and Getting Others to Invest, a Le[a]dBetter educational event focused on providing tips and best practices to help you define your product or service offering, refine it for the marketplace and attract the investors you need to get to the next level.

09.13.2016

C-Suite Cocktails, Cusine and Conversation Dinner with Lilly Ledbetter
Waterbar / San Francisco, CA
Gender equality in business leadership has recently taken a front seat in conversations throughout the business world, with particular emphasis on the startup ecosystem.On September 13, 2016 the Perkins Coie Seattle office welcomed author and gender-wage gap anti-discrimination activist Lily Ledbetter, former Deputy U.S. Chief Technology Officer under President Barack Obama Nicole Wong, and Co-founder and Partner of Scale Venture Partners Kate Mitchell to lead this critical conversation over cocktails and cuisine at our Le[a]dBetter San Francisco networking dinner. This invitation-only gathering presented a dynamic panel of female corporate leaders who shared their views on how tapping the full potential of women and diverse employees leads to stronger companies and communities.

05.10.2016

4th Annual startupPerColator Disrupt NYC Networking Reception
Upstairs at The Kimberly Hotel / New York, NY
In celebration of the innovation that drives disruptive tech, we held a dinner on Tuesday, May 10th for cocktails, canapés and conversation at our annual startupPerColator Disrupt NY Networking Reception. Many of New York’s most active investors, as well as TechCrunch Disrupt NY’s Startup Alley and Startup Battlefield company founders and executives attended.
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