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New England Law sets its intellectual property law education apart by offering a growing number of opportunities for students to develop their skill-sets and expand their knowledge outside the classroom. Award winning work and performance in local and national competitions, as well as the school’s role in setting up an Annual Art Law Works-in-Progress Colloquium, are only a few examples of how New England Law is developing a strong presence in the intellectual property law community.

Students here who want to specialize in intellectual property law have the option of earning an intellectual property law certificate. New England Law’s intensive certificate programs are designed to prepare students to excel in in-demand and rapidly changing fields of work. Completing an IP law certificate demonstrates to a future employer a student’s level of preparedness to work in an IP legal profession.

One of the competitive opportunities open to students working towards an IP law certificate is the Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court Competition. The trademark law competition demands extensive preparation on behalf of the student based teams under the oversight of a faculty coach. The 2020 team (consisting of Joseph Flanagan, Natalie Koza, and Regina Erica T. Varilla) was coached by Professor Peter Karol. Karol guided the group through the brief writing process, helped them refine their oral presentation skills, and even accommodated a request for a cake pit-stop on the road trip to regionals. “It does not hurt to have a coach like Professor Karol who dedicates his free time to helping us iron out any imperfections and throw curveballs that you may have never considered,” comments Flanagan.

At the regional round of the Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court Competition, New England Law’s team was awarded best brief and came in second place overall out of all the law schools in the Northeastern U.S. region, securing them an invitation to the finals in Washington, DC. Despite the final round of the competition being cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns, the team still looks back fondly on the experience. Koza reminisces “I experienced a lot of personal growth and walked away with new skills that I will continue to use and develop”.

In addition to having the opportunity to compete in Moot Court, students are also encouraged to submit their completed works for competition. Graduate London Lundstrom’s award winning paper, titled: “What do You Meme” It’s Not Funny?- Important Intellectual Property Considerations of Memes and the Internet Age, explores the gray realm of what transforming an image into a meme means for the new piece of content’s intellectual property rights. Lundstrom’s paper, originally written for her Law and the Visual Art’s course, was awarded second place in the prestigious Boston Patent Law Association’s annual writing competition.

Students that have been through New England Law’s IP Certificate Program describe the professors as being the best in their field, with their teaching and instruction being of the highest caliber. “Whether you are interested in Copyright, Trademark, or Patent, there are classes, clinics, competitions, student groups and research opportunities for each.” New England Law looks forward to seeking avenues to expand the opportunities that the program has to offer.