Earning the top rank, Beth Marshall is recognised for her pivotal role in managing patent portfolios for the world's most advanced technologies. Her submission details her work overseeing non-US patent prosecution for Meta's AR/VR innovations, a portfolio nearing 10,000 cases. This, combined with her leadership in IP due diligence for acquisitions in the green tech and offshore wind sectors, places her at the absolute forefront of pioneering IP strategy for the technologies shaping the next decade.

Securing a premier position, Melisa Litvin is celebrated for her pioneering work at the intersection of IP, AI, and digital entertainment. Her submission details her leadership in designing IP strategies for tech-driven companies and her firm's early adoption of AI-monitoring systems to protect brands online. Her focus on advising clients on emerging issues like NFTs and AI-generated content positions her as a key legal pioneer in the new digital economy.

Ranked in the top three, Sandra Mau is ranked highly for her 25-year career, which has given her a unique, high-level perspective on global innovation trends. As Vice President, her role at Clarivate places her at the heart of IP data and analytics, informing the strategies of countless innovative companies. This data-centric and strategic role, which helps define how the world's technology and life sciences sectors are measured and understood, marks her as a key leader.

A top-tier leader, Claudette Vernot is distinguished by her 25-year career, including her high-level leadership at INTA as Global Chair of the Anti-Counterfeiting Committee. This global role, which involves co-ordinating strategies across nine jurisdictions, places her at the centre of innovation in enforcement, particularly in combating the links between counterfeiting and organised crime—a pioneering achievement in itself.

Securing a top-five position, Gabriela Miranda is recognised for her 21 years of experience in securing IP rights across a diverse range of modern industries. Her submission highlights her extensive experience in the retail, entertainment, technology, and sports sectors. This proven ability to navigate the unique IP challenges of these fast-moving, technology-driven fields, combined with her WIPO patent certification, confirms her as a key figure in sector-specific innovation.

A prominent leader, Florence Houisse is recognised for her 16-year career and deep specialisation in the digital sector, particularly video games and NFTs. Her submission details her work in assisting a GAFAM company with digital content directives and guiding NFT platforms on IP rights. This dedicated focus on the novel legal challenges of the digital and entertainment sectors confirms her as a pioneering practitioner.

Mabel Klimt is ranked highly for her 25-year career as a leading expert in the entertainment and media sectors. As Head of Media, her submission highlights her work in advising clients on the complex IP issues inherent in audiovisual production, technology, and advertising. This long-standing, deep specialisation in the technology-driven media landscape solidifies her status as a sector pioneer.

Securing her position, Gabriela Salerno's 20-year career is noted for her specialisation in IP for the life sciences and biotech sectors. Her submission points to her work in navigating the complex patent and regulatory landscape for pharmaceutical and agricultural clients. This dedicated expertise in a highly technical and innovative field confirms her as a key contributor.

Nadine Stuttle earns her position as a leader in the digital transformation of IP operations. Her work focuses on the intersection of IP strategy and technology, specifically the implementation of Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) platforms and digital workflows for global organisations. By pioneering "technology-enabled oversight" and driving the modernisation of legacy IP practices, she plays a critical, sector-specific role in how IP is managed operationally in the digital age.

Earning her spot in the top 10, Omonefe Irabor-Benson is distinguished by her leadership in managing patent portfolios for top-tier global innovators in Nigeria. Her narrative highlights her work for clients like Nokia, Evonik, and Yara International, overseeing patent registrations for cutting-edge inventions in biotechnology, renewable energy, and industrial chemistry. This crucial work in protecting foundational technologies in a key African market marks her as a pioneer in the life sciences and green tech sectors.