IRVINE, Calif., April 2, 2026 – Knobbe Martens is pleased to share that partners Charlene Azema and Sheila Swaroop have been shortlisted for the 2026 Women in Business Law Americas Awards, an annual recognition honoring leading women lawyers.
Ms. Azema, who co-chairs Knobbe Martens’ Trademark and Brand Protection practice, was shortlisted for North America Trademark Lawyer of the Year. Chair of the firm’s Litigation practice, Ms. Swaroop received a shortlisting for North America Patent Lawyer of the Year.
Winners will be recognized at an awards gala in New York City on May 28.
Presented by IFLR, the Women in Business Law Awards recognize “top women legal practitioners across a wide range of practice areas [who are] not only breaking new ground in their areas of expertise but are also championing gender diversity in the legal sector.” Honorees are selected based on several criteria including leadership, client impact, thought leadership, and dedication to advancing gender balance.
About Knobbe Martens
Knobbe Martens protects the ideas that drive innovation and propel our world forward. As a leading intellectual property and technology law firm, clients worldwide rely on us to safeguard their products, brands, and technologies through strategic counsel and high-impact litigation. With offices across the U.S., our lawyers and technology specialists collaborate to deliver tailored solutions for clients ranging from multinational corporations to start-ups and emerging companies at every stage. Discover more at www.knobbe.com.