Locke Lord Partner Carolyn Blessing Receives 2023 Alta May Hulett Award From Chicago Bar Association Alliance for Women

The Chicago Bar Association’s Alliance for Women has named Carolyn Blessing, a Partner in Locke Lord’s Chicago office, as the recipient of the Alta May Hulett Award. The honor, named for the first woman lawyer in Illinois, is presented annually to a recipient who has significantly contributed to the advancement of women in the legal profession, and whose career exemplifies the highest level of professional achievement, ethics and excellence. Blessing will be celebrated at an awards ceremony on March 22.

Blessing serves as the Chicago office Hiring Partner and is a member of Locke Lord’s Women’s Initiative. She has been deeply involved with the Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law, having served in numerous leadership positions with the organization, including currently as Co-Chair of the National Board and previously as President of the Chicago Chapter. She also Co-Chairs the Chicago Women in IP Mentoring Circles Committee and is a member of the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer Magazine Women’s Advisory Board. A highly respected thought leader in her field, she regularly speaks and writes on topics related to law, policy and advancement of women in the legal profession. She was named a Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer Salute! Top Women in Law honoree, and she was recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business as a Notable Women in Law honoree in 2022 and as a Notable Rising Star in Law in 2021.

Blessing is a member of the Firm’s IP Pharmaceutical Practice Group, concentrating her practice in IP pharmaceutical matters and Hatch-Waxman litigation. She represents pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in all aspects of federal intellectual property litigation, including pre-litigation activities, Paragraph IV Certifications, filing, fact and expert discovery, claim construction, motion practice, pre-trial, trial, post-trial and appellate phases. Most recently, Blessing had significant roles in two fully virtual federal trials as well as an in-person trial in the District of Delaware.