About INTA

Trademark Administrator (TMA) of the Year Award

2024 nominations will be accepted starting July/August 2024.

The TMA of the Year Award recognizes one outstanding non-attorney practitioner for their professional achievements and leadership in the trademark industry. This annual award spotlights the incredible professionalism, dedication, and partnership that non-attorney practitioners provide to the industry.

2023 Winner

Sarah Staff

Microsoft Corporation

USA

INTA has been a fantastic resource for me throughout my career. This award is an incredible honor that wouldn’t have been possible without the knowledge and guidance I’ve been able to receive from others—and the experiences I’ve had—through being involved with INTA over the years.

Sarah Staff has been involved in INTA for most of her career, including by serving on the Famous and Well-Known Marks Committee and the Enforcement Committee. Over more than ten years in the trademark legal field, Ms. Staff has become known for her commitment to volunteering in the community and for her contributions to numerous trademark practice initiatives. In recent years she has led efforts to develop updated practices for trademark clearance, filing strategy, licensing, and enforcement. Ms. Staff currently serves on the Online Use Task Force of the Enforcement Committee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for nomination?

All non-attorney INTA members are eligible. Nominees must be employed at an INTA member organization in good standing with current membership.
Any recipient of the TMA of the Year Award will be ineligible for a repeat nomination.
Eligible INTA members may nominate themselves or may be nominated by another eligible member.

What are the selection criteria for the TMA of the Year Award?

The TMA of the Year Award will be granted to one non-attorney INTA member in good standing who exhibits the highest degree of leadership, professionalism, dedication, and partnership in the trademark industry.

Who decides the winner of the TMA of the Year Award?

A selection committee, comprised of members of the TMA Committee’s Leadership and Development subcommittee, will review the nominations to select the winner. Nomination forms will be anonymized to ensure fairness in reviewing all submissions.

What does the winner receive?

Complimentary registration to INTA’s 2025 Trademark Administrator and Practitioner’s Meeting and the 2025 Annual Meeting.
Official announcement as a winner of the TMA of the Year Award during INTA’s 2024 Leadership Meeting.
Their name and photograph published in the INTA Bulletin, recognizing the achievement.
A guaranteed spot on an INTA Committee at the next open term.

Questions? Please contact us.

Trademark Administrator (TMA) of the Year Award

Sarah Staff

Frequently Asked Questions Caret Icon

Frequently Asked Questions