Emory Law's IP and Innovation Clinic offers JD students a practical, hands-on experience in intellectual property law. Under faculty and experienced attorney supervision, students will guide clients through the process of protecting their innovations, from conception to patent application. This clinic is one of the few authorized by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to allow students to practice before the USPTO before taking the patent bar exam. Students will counsel clients and, where appropriate, draft and prosecute patent applications and related documents on their behalf, all on a pro bono basis. Participation is limited to second and third-year JD students and requires eligibility to sit for the USPTO Registration exam.
Participation in the IP and Innovation Clinic enhances skills valuable for careers in intellectual property law, including patent prosecution and litigation. Testimonials highlight improvements in claim drafting, client management, and a reduced fear of patent prosecution.
Clients for the clinic are vetted through the Georgia PATENTS program. Applicants seeking clinic services must go through https://gapatents.org/.
Emory University provides a range of financial aid options. For detailed information on tuition and costs, please refer to the Emory University Fees page and the School of Law's financial aid resources.
Emory Law School is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). The IP and Innovation Clinic is authorized by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
To be eligible, you must be a second- or third-year JD student at Emory Law and meet the requirements to sit for the USPTO Registration exam. LLM students are generally not eligible unless they have completed a full 1L JD curriculum.
Applications are submitted through Emory Law's Symplicity portal. You will need to upload your resume, a personal statement, and an unofficial law school transcript. Selected applicants will be invited for an interview.
The application period typically runs from February 9-25, with interviews conducted on a rolling basis from February 9 to March 13. Offers are usually extended by March 15, with a deadline to respond by March 20.
Participation in the clinic enhances skills valuable for careers in intellectual property law, such as patent prosecution and litigation. Graduates can pursue roles like Patent Practitioner or IP Litigator.
Emory University offers various financial aid options. The Student Hardship Fund provides emergency loans up to $1,000 for eligible full-time students experiencing financial hardship due to a catastrophic event.
Specific tuition for the IP and Innovation Clinic is not listed separately, as it contributes to the overall JD program costs. For detailed information on tuition and living costs, please refer to the Emory University Fees page and the School of Law's financial aid resources.