December 18, 2024

Patent and trademark law clinic gives students hands-on experience with impactful legal work

At the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, the Lisa Foundation Patent Law (LFPL) Clinic provides students with hands-on experience in patent and trademark law. Students apply the intellectual property (IP) knowledge they gain in the classroom to real-world situations, helping clients achieve their complex patent and trademark legal needs. Among other things, clinic students conduct client intake interviews, perform patentability and registrability searches and draft, and file and prosecute patent and trademark applications.

What sets the LFPL Clinic apart is its focus on meaningful, practical tasks that align with students' interests in intellectual property law.

"With fullest thanks to former Director Jon Kappes for making the clinic what it is today, the clinic allows students to apply the intellectual property knowledge they learn in class to real-world practice, which leads to significant growth," explained new LFPL Clinic Director Andrew Schwaab. "They also gain valuable skills, such as managing client relationships, learning best practices for interviewing and working with Patent and Trademark Examiners to secure allowances and experiencing the full lifecycle of patent and trademark prosecution, from womb to tomb."

One example of such growth is Keyerra Harfield, a third-year ASU Law JD student, who recently drafted an IP assignment and asset transfer agreement for a client who won the prestigious Patents for Humanity Green Energy award from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in December 2024. Her work demonstrates how clinic students apply their classroom knowledge to projects of interest to help real clients in meaningful ways.

“This hands-on experience has not only sharpened my legal skills but also broadened my global perspective through connections with USPTO leaders and foreign IP attorneys,” said Harfield. “Every step here supports my ultimate goal of becoming an accomplished intellectual property attorney.”

Veronica Andreev, a third-year ASU Law JD student, is another example of how the LFPL Clinic fosters professional growth. Her interest in trademark prosecution guided her work at the clinic, where she assisted clients with trademark clearance, filing and prosecution. Andreev also has a passion for cross-border IP law, particularly between the U.S. and South Korea. With her prior work experience in South Korea and a strong foundation in IP, the clinic helped her secure an externship at a top IP firm in Seoul where she is expanding her knowledge and pursuing her interests in international trademark law.

The LFPL Clinic not only sharpens students' legal expertise but also prepares them with crucial real-world skills, such as managing client relationships and working with patent and trademark examiners. This hands-on experience sets ASU Law students apart, helping them excel in intellectual property law. 

Written by Crystal Jimenez