ASU Law awards patent law scholarship to 4 students

The 2024–25 Lisa Foundation Advanced Patent Scholarship at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University has been awarded to four deserving students in the patent and intellectual property law program.

The $2,500 scholarship and hands-on patent law experience with the award's namesake and donor, patent attorney Steve Lisa, will go to Kylie Snow, Darci Botsch, Alessandra Gualtieri and Michael Nathanson. Lisa is an ASU Law alum himself, graduating with his Juris Doctor in 1984.

“I foresee this opportunity will give me the chance to learn practical hands-on skills, especially in advanced patent advocacy,” said Snow. “This scholarship will enable me to delve deeper into the nuances of areas of patent law beyond the patent prosecution work that is done in the clinic. Assisting those who lack the means to afford legal services has been profoundly fulfilling, and it has cemented my resolve to support innovation and protect inventors’ rights, especially for small businesses and entrepreneurs.”

Lisa Foundation scholars work closely with select faculty members, including Lisa, in an advanced course. Most have participated in the Lisa Foundation Patent Clinic and all have taken intellectual property courses; all are entering their third and final year of law school. The scholars were chosen after a competitive interview process that occurs every spring. 

“Receiving this scholarship allows me to further work on my legal skills both in and outside of patent law,” said Gualtieri. “This scholarship will greatly assist me in the next semester, allowing me to continue expanding my knowledge and skills in patent law and receive mentorship from Steve Lisa.” 

The four students selected have come up in the patent law program together, making this opportunity even more exciting to experience with one another. 

“Kylie, Darci and Alessandra are some of the most talented and hard-working students in our class, so it is an honor to be selected along with them,” said Nathanson. “I took a course with Mr. Lisa and learned firsthand that he takes a genuine interest in students' success. It is really advantageous that our law school has many courses and programs that provide practical training in intellectual property law.” 

“Receiving this scholarship allows me to further work on my legal skills both in and outside of patent law,” Gualtieri added. “This scholarship will greatly assist me in the next semester, allowing me to continue expanding my knowledge and skills in patent law and receive mentorship from Steve Lisa.” 

All four students said the scholarship will give them a necessary leg-up when they graduate next May and enter the legal field. 

“Being selected as a Lisa Foundation Advanced Patent Scholar is particularly special to me, as this award has been given to many aspiring and successful patent attorneys, some of whom I have had the honor of getting to know through my time in law school,” said Botsch. “This scholarship is yet another opportunity through ASU Law that will better prepare me to be successful in practice.