Mentor

Lalita Hamilton

Lalita is an attorney and mediator with over 20 year of experience in innovation.  She is passionate about working with and mentoring entrepreneurs seeking to bring innovative ideas to market.  She invests in seed- and early-stage startups.

In addition, Lalita has analyzed thousands of inventions, resulting in the issuance of over 800 patents.  Her patent technologies include: fintech, blockchain, digital currencies, trading and securities, banking, payments, artificial intelligence, mobile technology, e-commerce, social networking, computer software, and medical devices.  

Lalita has served on details in the Office of Policy and International Affairs (OPIA) and at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).  In OPIA, she worked with the Deputy Chief Policy Officer on matters pertaining to domestic and international intellectual property law and policy.  At the PTAB, she worked with three PTAB judges on AIA and ex parte matters. 

Lalita has been honored with numerous career awards including the Director’s Award (highest award given by Undersecretary at USPTO) for Coordinating International Advocacy; USPTO Exceptional Career Achievement Award; U.S. Department of Commerce Bronze Medal Award for Superior Performance; and Technology Center Director Awards for PTAB Affirmances. 

Lalita received her J.D. from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law; a Master’s in Finance from The Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School; an M.B.A from Strayer University; and a B.S. in biology with a minor in chemistry from Sam Houston State University. Additionally, she studied abroad in Paris, France with the Cornell-Sorbonne Paris Summer Institute in the International and Comparative Law program.

In her spare time, Lalita enjoys volunteering in the community and working to promote STEM education in communities of color. When she is not volunteering, she relishes in globetrotting, good food, and lots of conversation.