Law School unveils new Washington D.C. IP Externship program

The Center for Intellectual Property Law and Technology at The University of Akron (UA) has announced a new Washington, D.C., Intellectual Property (IP) Externship program beginning in the spring 2021 semester.

“The program offers Akron Law students interested in IP law the opportunity to gain valuable experience working in a legal capacity for government, public interest organizations, judges, or other related entities in Washington,” said Mark Schultz, the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Chair in Intellectual Property Law and director of the center. “Students will develop substantive legal skills under the direction of licensed attorneys while completing coursework, networking, and experiencing the legal and cultural environment of our nation’s capital.”

Externship students will be able to enroll in online Akron Law courses to maintain full-time status during the semester-long externship. The accompanying externship course will be taught by the Honorable Ryan T. Holte, a judge on the United States Court of Federal Claims, former director of the IP center and current jurist-in-residence professor of law at UA.

The D.C. Externship is 6 credits and requires 255 hours of legal work at the field placement. Students must have completed at least 29 credit hours and be in good standing to enroll. Professor Schultz, Judge Holte, and Akron Law Assistant Dean Alisa Benedict O’Brien will assist with placements. Students are also permitted to secure their own placements and will be responsible for travel and housing.

“This is another addition to the many special opportunities available to Akron Law students pursuing careers in IP,” Holte said. “I’m looking forward to a steady stream of Akron students spending a semester in D.C. over the coming years.”

Financial aid is available to students who qualify. Contact Cora Moretta in Student Financial Aid for more information: 330-972-5374 or moretta@uakron.edu.

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• Center for Intellectual Property Law and Technology at The University of Akron School of Law