Margaret Brent Awardee: Christina L. Martini

Christina L. Martini, partner and global head of trademark prosecution and controversy practice at McDermott Will & Emery in Chicago, said her mother’s death when she was 16 motivated her to achieve what her mother could not. 

She credited others’ generosity, “especially during my darkest days,” so that “making a difference for others has always been incredibly important for me, particularly in the areas of mentoring, diversity, equity and inclusion.” Martini told attendees to “remember that you are in the driver’s seat of life” and reminded them that they are not alone. “Learn from the sadness…and do not let the dark times define you,” she said.