March 31, 2025

ASU Law launches Wolin Family Center for Intellectual Property Law to drive innovation and legal excellence

The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University is proud to announce the launch of the Wolin Family Center for Intellectual Property Law (Wolin Center) as a groundbreaking initiative designed to shape the future of intellectual property law through legal education and industry collaboration.

 

With a robust curriculum, hands-on experiential learning and strategic partnerships, the Wolin Center will serve as a national leader in preparing the next generation of attorneys to navigate the rapidly evolving IP landscape. The center will focus on core areas of IP law — including patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets — while also tackling emerging opportunities such as AI-generated content, digital copyright and data privacy.

 

“The launch of the Wolin Family Center for Intellectual Property Law solidifies ASU Law’s commitment to equipping students with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to excel in IP law. Combining rigorous academic curriculum, including real-world experience, with mentorship and guidance from industry leaders, we are confident that the Wolin Center will quickly achieve national prominence in the field,” said Willard H. Pedrick Dean, Regents and Foundation Professor of Law Stacy Leeds. “We appreciate the Wolin family’s generous donation and their dedication to fostering innovation and legal education. Their support enables us to create unparalleled opportunities for our students and to shape the future of intellectual property law.”

 

The Wolin Center will foster industry collaboration through partnerships with leading technology companies, startups and policymakers. Its initiatives will include student recruitment and mentorship, public and corporate externships and clinical opportunities. The Center will also be a convener of top IP leaders so that students can be at the forefront of discussions on topics such as international patent disputes and open-source licensing.

“The rapid advancement of technology is reshaping the legal landscape, and ASU Law is at the forefront of training the next generation of IP leaders,” said Douglas Sylvester, professor of law and executive director of intellectual property at ASU Law. “We are incredibly excited and thankful that the Wolin family felt our program deserved to be elevated by this association.” 

 

The center is named for Harry and Tracy Wolin, who met in the Phoenix area while working in Motorola’s intellectual property department. Harry retired in 2024 from AMD, a Silicon Valley-based semiconductor company, where he was senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary for more than 20 years. Prior to becoming general counsel in 2003, Harry was vice president of intellectual property. Harry is an alumnus of ASU Law having graduated with his JD in 1988.

 

“It is beneficial for law firms and corporations to have young lawyers enter the workforce with a significant intellectual property background. As a longtime corporate executive in the intellectual property space, I’ve seen the value this provides.  ASU Law is uniquely positioned to provide an outstanding education in this arena given its existing programs and ability to engage with the robust IP community in the Phoenix area and beyond.  Tracy and I are pleased to be able to support this initiative and believe ASU Law will develop the preeminent intellectual property program in the country,” Harry said. 

 

ASU Law has built a strong foundation in intellectual property law, with a top-ranked program, exceptional faculty and talented students who are shaping the future of the field. The law school has expanded hands-on learning opportunities, fostered key industry partnerships and strengthened its national reputation. The naming of the Wolin Center will amplify these efforts, advancing research, education and real-world impact in intellectual property law.

 

In addition to its academic programs, the center will support students throughout their legal careers by offering scholarships, patent bar preparation and lifelong engagement opportunities for alumni. Best-in-class recruitment, combined with our current faculty of more than 70 and dozens of courses, ensures that ASU Law will remain a premier destination for aspiring IP attorneys.

 

For information on ASU Law’s centers, visit law.asu.edu/centers-and-programs.

Written by Kourtney Kelley