A conversation with Melissa Schneider, VP of Community Development.
As the Vice President of Community Development, Mel Schneider’s mission has been to create connectedness and help LOT Network members leverage the power of our community. She has spearheaded projects ranging from the community portal to member events to an ever-increasing number of smaller networking and social events. And, she always has something new ready to go, because bringing the best possible experience to our community is Mel’s passion, and why she comes to work every day.
We sat down with Mel to learn a little more about what brought her to LOT back in 2023, what she feels makes the biggest difference to the community today, and what she thinks we all should be keeping an eye on in the future.
Q: Walk me through your journey to the director of community role at LOT Network—was this always the plan, or did you discover it along the way?
Mel: Definitely unplanned. Ken, our CEO, was actually a client of mine back when I was working with patent and litigation data, before LOT existed. I had been following LOT’s growth and cheering them on from the sidelines, and then the team reached out and asked if I’d join. I’d never done community work before; my world had always been about data and tangible deliverables. But I believed in the team and the mission, so I came on board.
This is my dream role. Now I get to support our members in significant ways, and I absolutely love it.
Members join LOT because of the power of the agreement, but the value of the organization and the ways our community members collaborate and work with each other cannot be overstated.
Q: What made you want to work specifically with a community of IP lawyers? What drew you to this world?
Mel: Honestly, I love to be around smart people. One of my clients at a patent search firm had been asking me to work with them, so I took a leap and immersed myself in the world of patent information and analysis, which, at the time, I knew nothing about.
I found that the clients were some of the most intelligent and gracious professionals I had ever met. I still remember one of my first clients. He had a PhD, MD, JD, and MBA, and we were planning out an invalidity investigation. I was hooked.
Q: What’s your favorite part of being the community lead for LOT Network – the thing that makes a tough day worth it?
Mel: My favorite part is seeing when the dots connect within the community. Members appreciate it when they realize they’re not alone in facing a challenge (usually an NPE’s patents being asserted against them), or when two companies that might never have met otherwise end up connecting because of LOT (e.g., when I connect members that want to acquire patents strategically to members that have those corresponding technologies in their portfolio).
Q: What’s your favorite way to help quieter community members find their voice without putting them on the spot?
Mel: I’ve found the best way is to create smaller, more comfortable spaces for conversation. Not everyone wants to speak up in a big group, so I try to connect people one-on-one or in small clusters where they can share more freely. Members can also send private messages through the portal. I try to make a point of following up after meetings or events.
Sometimes, someone will mention a great idea, and I’ll help bring it forward without putting them on the spot. It’s all about ensuring that every member feels seen and heard in a way that feels natural to them.
Q: If you had to create one new monthly tradition or ritual for this community starting next week, what would it be?
Mel: If I could start one new monthly tradition, I’d create a “Member Spotlight and Share” session. Each month, a member company could take ten minutes to share something interesting they’re working on — whether it’s an innovation, a challenge, or even a lesson learned.
It wouldn’t need to be formal, just a way to keep conversations flowing and help members connect on a deeper level. I think hearing directly from peers is one of the best ways to spark new ideas and remind everyone of the power of this community
Q: What’s a trend in the IP world right now that you think deserves more attention than it’s getting?
Mel: I think a trend that isn’t getting enough attention is how Patent Assertion Entities are evolving. Many are now backed by private equity or operate through complex shell structures.
They are becoming more sophisticated in how they acquire assets, often buying portfolios from struggling startups or divesting companies.
I don’t think enough companies outside the core tech sector realize how close this issue is getting to them as they continue to rely on connectivity and AI.
Melissa Schneider, VP of Community Development, LOT Network
Melissa Schneider joined as LOT’s Director of Community in January of 2023 to support its incoming and current members. Melissa has been successfully helping corporate IP departments fuel innovation and mitigate risk for nearly 15 years with the adoption of patent and litigation tools and services. With darts-ip, she worked with global companies to provide insights into global PAE trends and behaviors, including a contributor to the report: NPE Litigation in the EU. She also worked closely with Berkeley Law to regularly present findings in patent litigation related to NPEs, 5G, automative and more. Melissa looks forward to ensuring the LOT community flourishes and that each member is heard and its value supported.