ASU Law Clinic

Lisa Foundation Patent Law Clinic

Experiential learning for practical skills in patent law

The Lisa Foundation Patent Law Clinic is the brainchild of prominent Chicago patent attorney Steven G. Lisa, a 1984 ASU Law alumnus. To date, the Lisa Family Foundation has donated more than $500,000 to support the important work of the Clinic.

Students receive hands-on experience in real-world patent and trademark prosecution, and learn skills needed to recognize and obtain valuable and enforceable patents and trademarks for clients that may later be successfully licensed or litigated. Regardless of whether students plan to practice transactional patent and trademark law or intellectual property litigation, the clinic gives students insight into both areas of practice so that they may understand the impact that actions taken during the patent and trademark procurement processes have during a subsequent litigation.

The clinic is a member of the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO)’s Law School Clinic Certification Program in which students receive limited recognition practice numbers. Those who have a science or engineering background represent both patent and trademark clients whereas those without a technical background practice only on the trademark side of the clinic. The limited recognition practice numbers permit students to represent clients directly before the USPTO including signing and filing patent and trademark applications, office actions, maintenance and renewal documents, conducting examiner interviews and other official correspondence on behalf of clients.

The mission of the Lisa Foundation Patent Law Clinic is to provide law students with practical, hands-on experience in patent and trademark law, while providing legal services to independent inventors and start-up companies. Our mission is to equip students with the essential skills to navigate the complexities of patent and trademark law, fostering a deep understanding of both transactional and litigation aspects of intellectual property. Through collaboration with licensed attorneys and real-world application of their knowledge, students will develop the confidence and competence necessary to support clients in securing valuable and enforceable intellectual property rights. Ultimately, the clinic strives to enhance access to legal resources for innovative creators while preparing the next generation of intellectual property professionals.

Students who participate in the Lisa Foundation Patent Law Clinic will:

Provide Hands-On Experience: Equip law students with practical skills in patent and trademark prosecution.
Serve the Community: Support independent inventors and start-up companies with their intellectual property needs.
Develop Essential Skills: Foster a deep understanding of both prosecution and related transactional aspects of intellectual property law, including critical (make or break) underpinnings that patent and trademark preparation and prosecution have in the assertion and defense of such IP rights.
Collaboration with Professionals: Ensure students work alongside licensed attorneys for real-world application of knowledge.
Enhance Client Access: Increase access to legal resources for innovative creators.
Prepare Future Professionals: Cultivate the confidence and competence needed for careers in intellectual property law.

Students are expected to spend a minimum of 135 total hours in the Clinic during the one semester.

Fall or Spring Semester – 10 hours per week

The Patent Clinic is a one-semester course but may be taken for a second semester with instructor approval.

Credits: three graded credits for the first semester; 1-3 pass/fail credits for students returning for a second semester
Recommended Pre- or Co-Requisite(s): Patent Law, Comprehensive Patent Practice, Patent Drafting, Patent Preparation, Trademark Law and Prosecuting Trademark Applications.

You must have a undergrad degree in specific science fields or significant science class hours. If you so not have the science class hours you will be limited to Trademark only. Please see USPTO degree requirements for certification for Patents and Options sheet attached to the application in Atlas before applying.

Clinic application deadlines

Students may apply via Atlas during the application period listed below.

**IMPORTANT!** - Externships and Clinics – Students who have applied for an externship or clinic and been accepted may decline upon offer without consequence. However, once a student has accepted an externship or clinic, any student who drops the externship or clinic without prior approval by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs will be subject to the 12-month ban.