Intellectual Property and Technology Law at William & Mary
William & Mary Law School prepares students for practice in the dynamic and increasingly important fields of intellectual property and technology law. From courses and events to real-world externships, students have multiple opportunities to engage with cutting-edge issues in copyright law, trademark law, patent law, and related topics. Our alumni work in various settings, including private practice, in-house counsel for biotech, fashion, and other firms, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Courses
| Applied Evidence in a Technological Age | Patent Law | |
| Copyright Law | Patent Litigation Seminar | |
| Copyright Law Litigation Seminar | Privacy Law | |
| Electronic Discovery | Selected Topics in International Intellectual Property Law and International Trade | |
| Entertainment Law Litigation Seminar | Technology-Augmented Trial Advocacy | |
| Intellectual Property | Telecommunications Law and Policy | |
| Internet Law | Trademark Law |
Courses offered during recent academic years. Not all courses are offered every year.
Full-Time Faculty
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Rebecca Green teaches and researches privacy law and election law and is the co-director of the Law School’s Election Law Program. She was the 2016 recipient of the Walter L. Williams, Jr., Memorial Teaching Award. | |
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Laura A. Heymann teaches and researches copyright law and trademark law. Her scholarship on trademark law and linguistics was highlighted in the New York Times. She is the recipient of both the Walter L. Williams, Jr., Memorial Teaching Award and the College’s Thomas Jefferson Teaching Prize. | |
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Fredric I. Lederer is the founder and director of the Center for Legal and Court Technology. He teaches and researches the use of technology in trial practice, including the implications of technology on the presentation of evidence and remote witness testimony. | |
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Paul Marcus teaches seminars on copyright law litigation and entertainment law litigation, drawing on his practice experience in Los Angeles. He is a co-author of a leading casebook on copyright law, serves as President of the Association of American Law Schools, and was the 2017 recipient of the McGlothlin Award for Exceptional Teaching. |
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Sarah R. Wasserman Rajec researches the intersection of patent law and international trade law, reflecting her private practice experience as well as her work with the Court of International Trade and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. She previously taught at Stanford Law School and the George Washington University Law School. |
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James Y. Stern joined the faculty after a clerkship with Justice Anthony M. Kennedy on the U.S. Supreme Court and a fellowship at the University of Virginia School of Law. His research focuses on intellectual property and property theory, with publications in the nation’s leading law reviews, including the Harvard Law Review and the California Law Review. |
Recent William & Mary Alumni in IP Law
Many of our alumni who have graduated in the past ten years are in leading positions in intellectual property law across the country. Here are just a few:
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Kristin M. Adams ’17 |
"William & Mary gave me the practical, hands-on experience necessary to jumpstart my career – from stand-up time in court as a third-year student to practical IP-specific assignments that allowed me to enter the legal market with not only the necessary academic understanding of the law, but also the real-world tools to succeed. Within my first few years of practice, W&M’s IP education has given me the opportunity to represent clients ranging from some of the world’s most iconic car brands and an NBA MVP to international clothing retailers and leading pharmaceutical companies."
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Claire W. Desmond ’15 Associate IP Counsel, Under Armour, Inc. Baltimore, Maryland |
"When I entered William & Mary Law School, I had no clue that I would end up practicing in the area of intellectual property law. Why did this career path open up to me? I think it’s because William & Mary offered an ideal learning environment for me – a place where I could really thrive. My professors and classmates helped me develop an ability to analyze problems from multiple perspectives. I am much better prepared to articulate persuasive arguments as opposed to simply concluding that something “just isn’t fair.” My professors were brilliant and accomplished but were always willing to sit down and discuss difficult issues. They encouraged coupling the practice of law in one’s chosen field with public interest work. With hindsight, I realize how much my W&M education continues to serve me while litigating and counseling clients regarding complex IP issues."
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Brian Focarino ’15 Associate, Trademark, Copyright and Advertising, Cooley LLP Boston, Massachusetts |
“I often joke that my practice isn’t just national or international, but interstellar. It encompasses everything from centuries-old heritage brands to space exploration start-ups. America’s oldest law school laid the foundation for me to represent the world’s newest, most disruptive companies."
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Mark Pike ’09 Senior Product Counsel, Slack San Francisco, California |
"When I came to William & Mary, I knew I wanted to focus on learning about technology issues. I had the opportunity to take classes on copyright litigation, European Internet law, privacy, and much more. My classroom experiences helped me land quality internships in the field. I'm thrilled that William & Mary gave me the opportunity to go from studying in Colonial Williamsburg to working in Silicon Valley."
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Nikki L. Sanford ’16 Associate, BakerHostetler Seattle, Washington |
"With a background in physics and engineering, I came into law school focused on developing an IP career in patent prosecution. William & Mary provided a solid foundation for that path, as well as opportunities to gain real-world experience in a range of practice areas, such as criminal, corporate, and environmental law, to become a well-rounded attorney.”
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Tiffany Walden ’09 Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Legal Officer, Olaplex LLC Santa Barbara, California |
“Working for a young, but fast-growing company has many challenges and opportunities. My education and coursework at William & Mary provided me with a great framework for the various issues that come up each day, as well as with the critical thinking and reasoning skills that have proved invaluable in my legal career.”
IP Activities
The Stanley H. Mervis Lecture
The Stanley H. Mervis Lectureship in Intellectual Property was created in memory of Stanley Mervis in 2003 by his family and friends. Mervis, a member of the William & Mary Law School Class of 1950, was patent counsel for Polaroid Corporation for most of his career and was actively involved in important patent and intellectual property issues. Recent Mervis lecturers have included Prof. Pamela Samuelson (UC Berkeley), Prof. Siva Vaidhyanathan (University of Virginia), the Hon. H. Robert Mayer (U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit), and the Hon. Marybeth Peters (former Register of Copyrights).
Student Intellectual Property Society
Our Student Intellectual Property Society is one of the most active student organizations at the Law School. It hosts multiple speakers, educational presentations, and networking events each semester, featuring attorneys from a variety of fields. SIPS also arranges mentoring relationships with alumni; and provides advice and guidance on IP careers. Members also have access to an IP internship guide and an IP alumni database.
Student Scholarships and Awards
The Stanley H. Mervis Scholarship Endowment in Intellectual Property provides scholarship assistance to a third-year student who intends to practice intellectual property law upon graduating from William & Mary Law School. Stanley H. Mervis was a member of the William & Mary Law School Class of 1950, as well as a 1947 graduate of the College, and was an exceptionally talented patent attorney specializing in chemical patent law for the Polaroid Corporation for thirty-nine years. Zella Loew Mervis established the scholarship in memory of her husband.
The Thalia V. Warnement Scholarship in Intellectual Property Law provides scholarship assistance to a worthy student who intends to pursue a career in intellectual property law. Thalia Vassilatos Warnement, a member of the William & Mary Law School Class of 1993, was a talented lawyer specializing in patent prosecution and client counseling and was known for her commitment to the career development of young lawyers. The scholarship was established in Thalia Warnement's memory by her friends and family and her colleagues at the firm of Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP.
The William & Mary Law Award for Excellence in the Study of Intellectual Property Law is presented to a graduating student for superior academic performance in the field of intellectual property law. Previous winners have gone on to careers in leading IP firms throughout the country.