Sasha Rao received SABA-NC's Trailblazer Award in recognition of her much decorated intellectual property practice. Sasha's extensive patent litigation experience includes jury and bench trials in district courts throughout the United States, Hatch-Waxman cases, Markman hearings, and International Trade Commission investigations. She is registered to practice in the United States Patent and Trademark Office. She also represents clients in Patent Office trials, including covered business method (CBM) and inter partes review (IPR) post-grant invalidity challenges available under the America Invents Act. (her sister Sangeetha accepted the award on her behalf). The South Asian Bar Association – Northern California chapter (“SABA-NC”) was founded in 1993 to ensure that Bay Area South Asian lawyers were provided an avenue to develop professionally, network among peers, and volunteer within the South Asian community. Since then, SABA has organized MCLE events, monthly luncheons, happy hours, mentorship events for its members, and hosted the SABA annual gala. SABA has also supported and hosted fundraisers to support South Asian community and social service organizations.