“To do right safely, one needs to know very little about law. But to do wrong safely, one must have studied the law.”
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
At a time when America’s greatest strength, its ideas and ingenuity is increasingly under threat, we at Guardians of Innovation stand committed to protecting the dreams of those often left without a voice in the intellectual property space.
Every day, I meet inventors, creators, and entrepreneurs from economically challenged communities who have world-changing ideas but lack the resources to protect them. Too often, their work is stolen, imitated, or erased before it ever has the chance to grow. That is not just a personal loss, it’s a loss for our economy, our culture, and our country.
Our mission is clear: to ensure that no innovator is left defenseless simply because of their zip code or income level. Through legal advocacy, education, and community empowerment, we are building a future where every American entrepreneur, no matter their background has the tools to own and defend their intellectual property.
We don’t just provide services, we stand as guardians of possibility, innovation, and justice. I invite you to stand with us.
Whether you are an innovator seeking support, a policymaker committed to change, or a donor ready to make a difference, there is a place for you here.
With gratitude and determination,
Rachael Bakker
CEO & attorney
Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.
Guardians of Innovation, Inc., serves innovators nationwide. We are headquartered in the U.S., but all our services are offered free of charge to qualifying individuals and small businesses. Please contact us to request free legal help or to volunteer as a mentor or attorney. Donations from supporters are also critical to our work. Reach out via our website’s contact form or email us at guardiansofinnovationsinc@gmail.com to get involved or learn more.
About our work
Guardians of Innovation was founded by a licensed attorney passionate about equal opportunity in innovation.
We were motivated by the observation that underserved communities often lack access to legal and educational resources, leaving their entrepreneurs at a disadvantage. Research shows that providing legal aid, training, and networking drives economic empowerment in these communities. Our founder’s vision is to build a level playing field: equipping low-income innovators with pro bono counsel, mentorship, and policy support.
Our approach combines legal services with advocacy and education.
We provide free IP counseling modeled on proven programs like the USPTO’s Patent Pro Bono network. We also work on policy change, drafting model IP legislation and rallying support for stricter enforcement. We believe that every inventor’s idea matters – and that a rising tide of innovation can lift all boats. Guardians of Innovation’s culture is one of community and empowerment: we build partnerships among volunteers, donors, and local organizations so that knowledge and resources flow to where they are needed most.
Pro Bono Legal Counsel: Our volunteer attorneys help qualified innovators and small businesses register and defend patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. We match under-resourced inventors with experienced IP lawyers, following the USPTO’s Pro Bono model. By handling patent filings, licensing agreements, or infringement disputes at no cost, we overcome the financial barrier that often prevents small inventors from securing legal protection
Cybersecurity & Compliance: In today’s digital world, safeguarding ideas means protecting data. We provide guidance on cybersecurity measures and regulatory compliance to shield proprietary information from online theft. Cybercriminals frequently target trade secrets and design files for illicit gain. Our experts teach innovators to use encryption, secure authentication, and best-practice cyber defenses, and we advise on relevant data protection laws. This service ensures that entrepreneurs can innovate confidently, knowing their digital assets are secure.