The Intellectual Property Law Section writing contest was established in 2004 to provide an opportunity for second- and third-year law students to express in writing their insight and knowledge in the areas of patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets or trade dress. As a tangible incentive, the section established a set of cash awards for the winners.
The annual competition is open to all law students enrolled in any law school in the United States who intend to take the Pennsylvania bar exam.
Submissions must be the unpublished and original creation of the entrant and less than 5,000 words (not including footnotes). (Entries exceeding the word count may still be considered by the judges, at their discretion.) Please include a statement describing your plans after graduating from law school and passing the Pennsylvania bar exam.
2020 Contest Winners:
First place – Allison White, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
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Second place – Ludwig Wang, Temple University Beasley School of Law
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2019 Contest Winners:
First place - Joshua Schmid, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
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Second place - Leigha Santoro, Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
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2018 Contest Winners:
First place – Laura Lipschutz, Penn State Law
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Second place – Lara M. Ruggerio, Villanova University School of Law
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Third place – Chandel Boozer, Villanova University School of Law
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Honorable Mention – Seth Fenster, Villanova University School of Law
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2017 Contest Winners:
First place – Eliese (Liesel) Herzl-Betz, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
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Second place – Chandel Boozer, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
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Third place – Ross Kirchgasser, Drexel University, Kline School of Law
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Honorable mention - P. Michael Jones, Duquesne University School of Law
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2016 Contest Winners:
First place – Hannah L. Bedard from University of Pennsylvania Law School
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Second place – Jessica Watkins from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
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Third place – Jessica L. Santiago from Widener University Commonwealth Law School
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Honorable mention - Christie L. Larochelle from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
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2005-2015 Contest Winners