SAN FRANCISCO and NEW YORK, June 15, 2026 – Knobbe Martens is proud to share that associates Sashank Krothapally and Ryan Newell received the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Patent Pro Bono Achievement Certificate in recognition of their pro bono work assisting under-resourced inventors over the past year.
Mr. Krothapally, based in the firm’s San Francisco office, provided pro bono counsel to an inventor in the music and arts space seeking a patent for foldable musical instruments. In New York, Mr. Newell’s pro bono work included helping individuals obtain patents for inventions aimed at sustainable packaging. Mr. Newell has previously received the USPTO Patent Pro Bono Achievement Certificate, and last year, he was recognized for pro bono service by the Federal Bar Association.
The USPTO Patent Pro Bono Program is a nationwide network of independently operated regional programs that matches volunteer patent attorneys and agents with financially under-resourced inventors and small businesses to provide free legal assistance in securing patent protection.
More information about Knobbe Martens’ pro bono work may be found here.
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.