University of Utah : S.J. Quinney College of Law

New Ventures Clinic

Tags:new ventures clinic 

The New Ventures Clinic

2-semester commitment, 2nd or 3rd year students

Course: 4 credits, Fall through Spring

Placement: 3 to 6 credits, Fall through Spring

 

      This clinic is a year-long clinic and includes placement in one of three tracks.  It allows students to experience the legal and business analysis involved in launching a technology-based venture.  Clinical experience will be based on actual technologies and businesses.  Topics include invention disclosures, technology assessment, enforceability of confidentiality, material transfer agreements, intellectual property protection, market potential, competitor analysis, freedom to operate, capitalization, licenses and employment agreements.  The clinic will also provide opportunities to work collaboratively with inventors, MBA students, licensing managers, and venture capitalists.


Course:  New Ventures (4 cr., graded, Fall through Spring Semester).  Taught by adjunct professor Ken Chahine JD 1996, PhD 1992, President and CEO of Avigen, Inc. (www.Avigen.com). The class will present an overview of the legal process of and issues involved in the commercializing technologies and launching new ventures. Students will also share their intern experiences in order to maximize their learning from their work.  Grades will be based on students’ work product and/or recommendation of attorney-supervisor, class participation, and presentations at the end of each semester.

Placements:  (3 to 6 cr., P/F, Fall through Spring). There are three placements within the clinic. Each offers slightly different experiences.

·         The Technology Commercialization Office  is the University entity that seeks intellectual property protection for University inventions and begins the process for their commercialization.

·         The Lassonde Program  is a component of the College of Business in which MBA students prepare a business plan on select University technologies outlining the technologies’ commercialization potential. 

·         The UVenture fund is a private equity fund in which College of Business students perform due diligence on innovative start-ups and determine whether to invest the UVenture fund’s capital. The last two placements will involve close work with MBA students, faculty and business leaders, as well as some participation in College of Business class meetings.  The placement is pass/fail clinic.  The student will earn a minimum of 3 credits (150 hours of work) and a maximum of 6 credits (300 hours) over the academic year. 

     

Faculty:  Ken Chahine, JD 1996, PhD 1992

     

Registration & Placement: Students should complete the Clinical Program Application form in order to indicate placement preferences and background.  This is a limited-enrollment clinic.

Fall through Spring    
LAW 7788  New Ventures Class Fri. 1:40 - 3:45 PM
LAW 7630  New Ventures Clinic
 
Orientation Materials and Forms:

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