WIPR launches Influential Women in IP 2026 list

From record-breaking litigation wins to billion-dollar deals and global policy leadership, this year’s cohort features the women shaping the future of intellectual property law.

World IP Review (WIPR) has officially unveiled its Influential Women in IP 2026 list, which celebrates an exceptional selection of women spanning private practice, in-house corporate legal departments, academia, and international public institutions.

Chosen through a selection process combining industry nominations and independent editorial research, this year’s honourees are recognised for driving innovation, rewriting legal precedents, and actively dismantling barriers for women in law.

A global power list

The 2026 list highlights women operating at the peak of the legal profession, navigating complex matters with profound commercial consequences.

Among the standout litigators is Sheila Swaroop, chair of the litigation practice at Knobbe Martens, who served as a leader on the trial team that secured a spectacular $634 million jury verdict for Masimo against Apple over heart-monitoring wearable technology.

In the UK, Asima Rana earned widespread acclaim for leading the intellectual property team at DWF that secured a landmark UK Supreme Court victory for Dairy UK against plant-based giant Oatly, establishing a major precedent regarding protected dairy designations.

On the transactional front, Megan Baca, managing partner at Ropes & Gray in Silicon Valley, directed some of the year’s largest life sciences deals. Her 2026 milestones include advising Eli Lilly and Company on its $1.2 billion cash acquisition of Ventyx Biosciences, reinforcing her reputation as a top-tier transactional advisor.

The 2026 honourees are not just practising law; they are actively running global legal operations and driving international IP policy.

Sylvia Fang is celebrated for more than two decades of legal leadership at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), where she serves as senior vice president, general counsel, and corporate governance officer.

On the international stage, Edyta Demby-Siwek is the first woman to serve as deputy executive director in the EU Intellectual Property Office’s 30-year history, marking a significant milestone for women in leadership within the intellectual property system.

Her appointment reflects the growing presence of women in senior roles across European IP institutions, where they remain underrepresented overall.

Championing inclusion and mentorship

At the heart of the WIPR Influential Women in IP list is a sustained commitment to advancing inclusion and fostering the next generation of professional talent.

Laila Beynon, director of IP litigation at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, is a leading voice in the UK chapter of ChIPs and pioneered Perfect Pitch—a programme allowing junior outside counsel to pitch their law firms to corporate tech giants using mock patent litigation frameworks.

In South Africa, Bilkis Daby, senior partner at Adams & Adams, chairs her firm’s D&I Committee while serving on the International Trademark Association’s (INTA) global Women’s LeadershIP Initiative.

In Argentina, Raquel Flanzbaum co-founded the specialised boutique Bullrich Flanzbaum, introducing progressive blind recruitment practices to provide equal corporate access for women at all career stages.

Our editorial team extends its gratitude to the global legal community for an exceptional standard of entries this year. The final 2026 list stands as an inspiring testament to the depth of female leadership strengthening the intellectual property system worldwide.

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