Marc W. Butler

This #BlackHistoryMonth, we are pleased to highlight Marc Butler, a patent agent in the firm's Tysons Corner office. Marc shares his thoughts on observing Black History Month and a moment in history that shaped his life.

“During Black History Month, I reflect on key African American figures past and present. It's an opportunity to spotlight and celebrate the achievements African Americans have accomplished in this country despite the historical obstacles of racism and oppression. I cannot help but contemplate those African American forerunners who provided critical inventions and invaluable contributions for the betterment of mankind, often through perilous circumstances. I also reflect upon the struggles, perseverance and successes of my own family thanks to hard work, determination and faith in God. From a professional perspective, I am blessed to not only work but excel in a technical career that also requires legal acumen. I feel like a pioneer in my own profession.

One summer, when I was 12, my family was visiting my grandmother in Canton, Mississippi, I was assisting my father with some home improvement projects. I vividly remember that the roads closer to the city were upgraded and significantly more modernized than the unkept roadways in the more rural areas. One highway sign, stating the road was sponsored by the NAACP, had bullet holes through it.

My father and I went to procure lumber for our projects at the local lumber yard. An associate was helping us gather our materials. And when tallying the price for the lumber, the final sales price did not match the price per wood. I corrected the associate, like I had been taught to do in conducting financial transactions. The man immediately turned his head to me with an unforgettable scowl. “The price was THE price!” he said. I held firm that his calculations were incorrect. The associate eventually relented and sold the lumber at its true and fair cost. I had heard of such interactions in the South but had never experienced one firsthand. My family often relayed stories from the Jim Crow era, but I never really came face-to-face with deliberate acts of deceit based on discrimination.

As a result, I remember feeling all the more inspired to obtain a higher education, especially since I was one of the first in my family to do so. I have since imparted the same sense of responsibility to my own children and other mentees I throughout the years.

There are a number of programs I plan to attend this month, both at work and within my community. One such event is the annual Paul Carr’s Jazz Academy of Music Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival. Music has had a profound impact within my life. The influence and contribution of music by African Americans across a variety of musical genres, not only within the U.S. but worldwide, is significant and unique. The jazz festival presents a lineup of diverse talent, including all shades and hues, showcasing a plethora of traditional matinee, evening stages and performances to present the region’s best nonstop jazz music during this Black History Month.”