The Washington College of Law Glushko-Samuelson clinic has a long-standing tradition of working with the USPTO and in fact worked with the USPTO to start the student-attorney Law School Clinic Certification program.

Today, years later, the program has grown and on April 13^th, the United States Patent and Trademark Office hosted many law school IP clinics from across the country that participate in its Law School Clinic Certification Program for a day of presentations, round table discussions, and networking.

Throughout the day, IP clinic student attendees from the WCL Glushko-Samuelson clinic and other clinics heard presentations from several USPTO representatives, including remarks from Andrei Iancu, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO. IP clinic students also took part in round table discussions on current topics at the patent trial and appeal board, careers at the USPTO, and were able to ask patent and trademark examiners what it’s actually like to work at the USPTO. The day concluded with a simulated Trademark Trial and Appeal Board hearing, followed by a networking event for clinic students and faculty.

Our clinic students and faculty that attended had a wonderful time and are excited about all of the opportunities available at the USPTO. The IP Clinic looks forward to future visits to the USPTO and continuing to be part of this great program that allows our students to gain hands on experience within the intellectual property field.