What students and alumni are saying about the Innovation Law Center and its academic programs
Students:
When choosing which law school to attend, Syracuse stood out because of the ILC. I wanted to utilize my background in STEM while applying the skills I was learning in my law school classes. The ILC was the perfect place to accomplish this goal. Students work closely with startup clients and industry professionals. The semester-long projects are a great way to gain real-world experience in intellectual property and patent law.
Shriya Ghosh L’24
The Innovation Law Center has been the highlight of my time as a law student. I went in knowing I wanted to explore intellectual property law, but I was intimidated by patents due to my lack of a STEM background. Thanks to the ILC, I now have experience working with inventors and technologies from a wide array of fields, including medicine. I’ve had the pleasure of being a senior research associate and the newsletter editor at the ILC, and I am certain that the skills I’ve learned and the connections I’ve made will advance my career long after graduation.
Madeline Messa L’23
I knew that the ILC was where I needed to be. I couldn’t wait to get started. What really surprised me was how many ILC students had science backgrounds. That flipped a switch in me.
Read more about Capo’s experience with the ILC.
Cecily Capo L’23
The Innovative Law Center is the hidden gem of Syracuse University College of Law. The center provides an invaluable opportunity to perform real world application of Intellectual Property, Marketing, and Regulatory research and analysis for established companies and those just starting up. The opportunity to gain this experience, and the invaluable experience I have gained as a participant, is why I sought to participate in this program, and is why I will continue as a Senior Research Associate this Fall.
Cody Andrushko L’19
I chose Syracuse Law for two reasons: the Innovation Law program, and the Innovation Law program’s alumni base. You work with real start-ups and real entrepreneurs; pioneering biologists, inventive chemists, groundbreaking physicists, and creative app developers. Not only does the program boost your legal skills, but you also learn how to interact with clients. Most importantly, you help people benefit from the fruits of their (and your) labor.
Parker Mincy L’19
The Innovation Law Center gives real-world experience with clients regarding their invention. Students get the chance to utilize their knowledge from classes into practice. ILC helps build long-term relationship between students and clients, which definitely benefits students’ career.
Xiaotong Wang L’19
The Innovation Law Center offers an exceptional opportunity for students to gain real world experience in intellectual property law. This summer I was able to meet with several clients to discuss their invention and then performed research on the technology, patents, and market competition. We provide clients with information useful to them in determining the risks involved with patenting their invention and bringing their technology to market.
Christina Brule L’20
The Innovation Law Center has by far exceeded my expectations in providing both an academic, yet real world learning experience. The hands-on opportunities helping bring clients’ inventions to market have been exhilarating and have greatly improved my writing and presenting skills. Working alongside inventors, engineers, attorneys as well as my peers, has provided a collaborative, incredible learning environment.
Kristian Stefanides L’20
Alumni:
I was surprised at how hands-on we are with the client. I never thought we would work with an actual inventor, who has an actual invention, and is relying on our research and analysis to figure out what to do in commercializing his product. I want to become a patent lawyer and the Innovation Law Center is how I can get the hands-on experience I need to distinguish myself over other candidates when looking for employment.
Jeremiah “Luke” Finch L’15
I chose Syracuse primarily because of the opportunities that were presented to connect with local businesses and entrepreneurs through the Innovation Law Center. In our team’s case, we were given the opportunity to meet regularly with the CEO to learn more about the company’s product and its goals for the future.
Brian Becker L’15
I chose Syracuse because they had a wide variety of programs such as ILC that I thought could be a valuable part of my legal education.
Jeanju “JJ” Choi L’15
I chose Syracuse mainly due to the reputation of the faculty as well as the availability of joint degrees. Plus, the College of Law has a national alumni base and a reputation that far outweighs its ranking. What drew me to the Innovation Law Center was the opportunity to work directly with newly forming companies and technologies, often on the cutting edge of their industry.
Justin Burgess L’14
The TCLP sets its graduates apart by developing students skills across various fields including marketing, commercialization, licensing, IP, tax, regulatory, etc.
Madeline Schiesser L’14
As much as we were told at the start of the ILC program that a science background is not necessary, I never believed it. But it is true!
Olesya Vernyi L’14
As I began searching for law schools, I wanted to find a way to incorporate my scientific background into my legal education. I initially thought that I would just focus on intellectual property law, but then discovered the technology commercialization law program.
The program allowed me to combine IP with both business and marketing, which provided me with the foundation to understand how attorneys can add value to the commercialization and innovation processes. I was able to explore patent and trademark law, business transaction law, licensing, and compliance issues. Through the dual degree opportunities, I was able to focus my legal education on technology commercialization law and simultaneously pursue a Master of Public Administration from the Maxwell School. I continued my studies in public health and examined policy issues regarding both health and technology—it was the best of both worlds!
Subsequently, I joined a law firm in New York City. As a summer associate, I constantly applied the skills acquired in the law center, especially those in the areas of intellectual property and business transaction law.
Caitlin Cornell J.D./M.P.A.’13
As a first-year law student with a background in science and engineering, I felt a bit out of place as I knew nothing about the role of lawyers in technology and business. The Innovation Law Center academic program was a perfect fit for me as it bridged the gap between my technical experience and my interest in studying the law.
Helping companies better understand the technological, business and legal aspects of bringing a new concept to market was tremendously enlightening. I believe that the ILC program is one-of-a-kind in the level of intense and specific experience that it provides to students who want to pursue careers in technology and business law.
Ultimately, by working with faculty mentors in the program and contacts from the companies we served, I was fortunate enough to identify a career opportunity that merged my interests in technology, business, and the law. I don’t know of any other program in the country for law students that provide the same level of experience and opportunity. Students graduating from Syracuse and the law center will have a well rounded understanding of many aspects of the industry that they’re not likely to receive through a traditional law school curriculum.
Jay Hickey L’12 | Licensing Officer, Columbia University Technology Ventures