There are many ways that students at the University of Utah can get involved with intellectual property issues in addition to our course offerings.
The Student IP Law Association (SIPLA) organizes events, law firm visits and networking sessions, provides a venue for the exchange of ideas among IP-interested students, and offers advice on courses, interviewing strategies, resumes, and job opportunities. SIPLA is entirely student organized and operated, with faculty support by Professor Jorge Contreras.
ON CAMPUS JOB OPPORTUNITIES
There are a number of places on campus where students can get experience working in the IP field while earning money. Some of these include:
- Partners for Innovation, Ventures, Outreach & Technology (PIVOT) Center (formerly Technology Ventures and Commercialization) – the University of Utah’s technology licensing and commercialization office offers numerous opportunities for students to work with university technology transfer officers, inventors and licensees
- Office of the General Counsel – the University’s OGC often hires law students as interns and employees. Contact the OGC for more information
- Teaching Assistant roles in Mechanical Engineering 5000 - Law for Engineers and Scientists (contact Prof. Grant Clayton for more information)
- Bench to Bedside – up to three COL students each year can coach medical and engineering student teams on patent issues, and the filing of provisional patent applications, in the annual Bench to Bedside business competition (contact Jacqueline Morrison for more information)
- Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute – COL students can work with the entrepreneurship programs at the Lassonde Institute
RESEARCH WITH FACULTY
There are numerous opportunities for students to work with our IP faculty on research and writing projects. These include Quinney Student Research Fellowships, the Utah Center for Excellence in ELSI Research (UCEER), student notes in the Utah Law Review, and individualized Directed Research projects. Many of our students have published and presented their research independently and as co-authors with faculty advisors.
LOYOLA PATENT LAW JOB FAIR
Loyola University in Chicago holds the nation’s largest job fair for jobs in the field of patent law. The COL supports student attendance at the Loyola job fair. For more information, contact the Career Development Office.
UTAH STATE BAR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECTION ANNUAL AWARDS
Every year the IP Section of the Utah State Bar grants generous awards to COL students studying IP. Watch your SIPLA email for the next call for applications, and don’t be shy about submitting one!
WRITING COMPETITIONS
Every year, the American IP Law Association (AIPLA) and other groups sponsor one or more student writing competitions that award cash prizes and travel to exciting locations. You can often repurpose a class paper, law review note, or other material for these competitions, and your IP faculty are more than happy to discuss potential topics and strategies with you. Watch your SIPLA email for announcements of upcoming competitions.
CENTER FOR LAW AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES (LABS)
The Center for Law and Biomedical Sciences (LABS) is an interdisciplinary center at the College of Law that supports programming, student fellowships and research at the intersection of law and biomedical science. Many LABS activities and programs touch on intellectual property. Interested students should contact Professor Teneille Brown.
UTAH CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN ELSI RESEARCH (UCEER)
UCEER is an NIH-funded center at the University of Utah that supports the interdisciplinary study of ethical, legal and social issues arising from genetic and genomic research and medicine. Several College of Law faculty and students are affiliated with UCEER. Interested students should contact Professor Brown.
PATENT BAR EXAM
Every year, a number of COL students sit for the examination for individuals seeking registration to practice before the USPTO (commonly known as the “Patent Bar Exam”). A variety of preparation courses and materials exist to help students prepare for this exam. If you have questions about Patent Bar eligibility or preparation, please contact your SIPLA representatives or one of our IP faculty advisors.
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