Are you interested in practicing patent law or patent litigation? If so, you should consider applying to compete in the AIPLA Giles Sutherland Rich Moot Court Competition—the premier patent moot court in the United States. Two students will be selected to form the team representing Akron Law in this unique, fun, and challenging competition.
The Giles Rich competition simulates briefing and oral argument before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which is the exclusive federal patent appellate court. The moot court problem presents real cutting-edge patent law issues, and the judges include nationally-renowned patent litigators and actual Federal Circuit judges.
With the coaching of Professor Daniel Brean (himself a seasoned Federal Circuit advocate) and the help of other local IP attorneys, students selected to form the 2-person team will work closely together to draft a set of briefs—one brief arguing each side of the case. Then both team members will practice and prepare to each orally argue both sides of the case. This dual-advocacy format provides unparalleled patent litigation training and experience. And in addition to the outstanding educational, networking, and resume-boosting value of this competition, participating students are eligible to receive two (2) credits for their efforts.
The 2018 problem and competition details will be announced by early November. Briefs are typically due in late January, with the oral arguments being held in March in Chicago, IL (and again in in Washington, DC in April for teams that advance from the regional to the national competition).
To apply, interested students must submit the following information via email to Professor Brean (dbrean@uakron.edu) by Tuesday, September 26. Applications must include:
- Your name, @zips.uakron email address, and year in law school;
- A copy of your resume;
- A list of IP courses you have taken (or are currently taking) and your grades earned in each course (if available);
- A brief legal writing sample or except thereof (10 pages or fewer); and
- An optional one-page (300 words or fewer) explanation of why you are interested in this competition and why you should be selected for the team.
Because of the patent-centric nature of the Giles Rich competition, prior patent law coursework or related experience is preferred.
Please contact Professor Brean with any questions.