Deborah Cohn has been dedicated to hard work and results-driven success in every position she has held over the course of her career at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Starting in 1983, Deborah first arrived at the agency as a Trademark Examining Attorney; she examined applications for trademark registration to determine compliance with the Lanham Act and Rules of Practice, wrote legal briefs and presented oral arguments before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and assisted with special details and projects for the Assistant Commissioner and Office of the Solicitor.

Deborah Cohn graduated from the American University in Washington, D.C. with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 1974. She pursed some graduate work in Psychology at City University of New York and Hunter College for a couple of years before turning her focus to law. Deborah Cohn graduated from the George Mason University School of Law in 1982 and took her first position with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in 1983.

After establishing herself at the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Deborah Cohn quickly climbed the bureaucratic ladder at the agency, being promoted from Trademark Examining Attorney to Managing Attorney within just five years. As Managing Attorney, Deborah was in charge of all aspects of the trademark examination law office. She supervised and reviewed the work of examining attorneys, trained and mentored new attorneys, and advised and assisted attorneys on difficult or complex cases, illustrating her ability to oversee others effectively and with success.

Deborah Cohn’s time at the United States Patent and Trademark Office is highlighted by her eventual rise to the top of the organization. After being Managing Attorney for ten years, Deborah was promoted to Group Director in 1998. By 2005, Deborah had become the Deputy Commissioner for Trademark Operations, further establishing herself as a vital component to the agency.

Five years later, Deborah Cohn would be promoted to Commissioner for Trademarks, one of the highest positions at the organization. 31 years in the making, Deborah Cohn would come to lead the agency in all aspects of the USPTO Organization including legal policy, operations and budget relating to trademark examination, and registration and maintenance.