December 11, 2010

Cooley Law School and State Bar of Michigan’s Intellectual Property Law Section Co-sponsor Legal Writing Competition

The Thomas M. Cooley Law School Graduate Program in Intellectual Property Law is inviting law students from across Michigan to participate in the inaugural Michigan Innovation and Intellectual Property Legal Writing Competition. The competition for cash prizes is open to students enrolled in J.D. degree programs at any ABA-accredited Michigan law school during 2010 and seeks to recognize outstanding original works of legal scholarship in the fields of intellectual property and innovation law.

The competition is co-sponsored by Cooley and the State Bar of Michigan's Intellectual Property Law Section (IPLS). Prizes include cash awards: $500 for first place, $300 for second place and $200 for third place; publication of work in IPLS Proceedings journal; and a complimentary registration to the IPLS Spring Intellectual Property Seminar in East Lansing, Mich. on March 28, 2011.

"Cooley's Graduate Program in Intellectual Property Law is pleased to co-sponsor this new legal writing competition," said Professor David C. Berry, director of Cooley's IP program. "Innovation and Intellectual Property Law are critical to the region's economic development, and the competition’s goal is to recognize outstanding student achievement in those fields."

Each entry must be an original, unpublished academic work of scholarship written between Feb. 1, 2010 and Feb. 1, 2011. The entry must be between 15 and 30 pages in length (including citations), double-spaced, in 12 point Times New Roman font, with one inch margins on all pages. Co-authored submissions are acceptable. Citations must be in footnote format and the entry must not identify the author(s) or their law school affiliations in any way. Complete competition rules and an entry form can be downloaded at www.cooley.edu/intelprop/index.htm and students must submit their submission electronically to shortleyj@oakgov.com by Feb. 1, 2011.

Entries will be judged by an anonymous panel of judges selected by the contest organizers. Winners will be announced on March 1, 2011.

About Cooley Law School:
Cooley Law School is the largest law school in the nation. Founded in 1972, the private, non-profit law school operates J.D. programs across Michigan in Lansing, Auburn Hills, Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor. Cooley’s Graduate Program in Intellectual Property Law offers LL.M. and joint J.D./LL.M. programs for students specializing in intellectual property law, including patents, trademarks, copyrights and licensing. Courses are offered in Auburn Hills, by videoconference to Cooley's Lansing and Grand Rapids campuses, and by an on-line e-IP option. Additional information can be found at cooley.edu/llm.

About the Intellectual Property Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan:
The Intellectual Property Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan provides education, information and analysis about issues of concern through meetings, seminars, the SBM website, public service programs, and publication of a newsletter. Membership in the Section is open to all members of the State Bar of Michigan. Established in 1935, the State Bar of Michigan consists of more than 41,000 practicing attorneys and judges. The mission of the Bar is to improve the administration of justice, promote the legal profession, and build public understanding of our legal system. More information about the Bar can be accessed at http://www.michbar.org/.