Notre Dame Law School launches Intellectual Property Externship led by alumna Jenna Tracy '19 J.D.

The spring 2024 semester marked the debut of the Intellectual Property (IP) Externship at Notre Dame Law School, providing students with the opportunity to represent small businesses in patent, trademark, and copyright matters. Offered through a partnership with Lowenstein Sandler LLP, the externship offers participants valuable hands-on experience in intellectual property law.

Jenna Tracy '19 J.D., an intellectual property and trademark attorney at Lowenstein Sandler LLP and Notre Dame Law School alumna, spearheads the program. Jenna was deeply involved in intellectual property classes and activities during her time in law school.

“I took all the IP classes available to me and I was very involved with what was formerly known as the Intellectual Property and Entrepreneurship Clinic, and I really appreciated the practical skills I gained,” said Jenna. ”When Professor Jodi Clifford stepped down as director of the clinic, I was excited to get involved and do my part to ensure students could have the same experiences I had.”

During the semester-long externship students attended a weekly seminar that emphasized practice knowledge and skills, including the development of attorney-client relationships, case and time management, and substantive intellectual property law. Students also met weekly with Jenna to discuss their cases, and devoted at least eight hours per week throughout the semester to client work.

For many students who participated in the IP externship, it was the first experience with intellectual property law and a chance to see firsthand the significant impact IP cases can have on clients. It was also the first time most of the students applied their legal training to the practice of law.

“In my application to Notre Dame Law School, I remember writing, ‘I want to be a different kind of lawyer that helps small businesses and nonprofit organizations succeed by creating effective business practices and policies,’” said recent graduate Jazmyn Ferguson ‘24 J.D. “At that time, I didn't know much about intellectual property, but through my work in the clinic and throughout my law school journey, I have found IP and trademark law to be my niche.”

Jazmyn said that it was especially meaningful that the majority of her clients through the externship were minority business owners. “This experience allowed me to do exactly what I sought to do through my legal career–bring my backgrounds in business, journalism, and strategic communication together to influence the longevity of small business owners,” she said.

Students participating in the externship work through Jenna's firm to handle pro bono cases, focusing on addressing intellectual property challenges for small, minority-owned, or economically disadvantaged businesses. Students value the practical experience of working directly with clients on real cases, gaining skills not always learned in the classroom. These include attending intake meetings, conducting trademark research, preparing opinion letters, submitting trademark applications, and drafting terms of service and privacy policies for emerging businesses.

“For me, the most important portion of the externship was the opportunity to work directly with clients. We took the lead on facilitating client communication, distilling their needs, and serving those needs,” said recent graduate Olivia Alford ‘24 J.D. “Oftentimes you find that clients know they need support but aren’t sure exactly how, and having the opportunity to listen to their needs and use our legal knowledge to help achieve their goals was extremely meaningful.”

Six Notre Dame Law students participated in the first IP externship, working in teams to provide legal assistance to approximately 20 clients.

“One particularly impactful case I worked on involved assisting a jewelry business in understanding the standard types of IP protection within the industry,” said third-year student Luwam Gabreselassie. “This case was especially significant to me as I had the opportunity to support a woman of color who, after more than a decade of experience in the jewelry industry, was embarking on her own entrepreneurial journey.”

The IP externship will be offered every spring semester for students interested in patent, trademark, and copyright law.

Notre Dame Law School offers a wide variety of externship courses in various fields of practice that allow students to work on cases with real clients, lawyers, and judges. More information about experiential learning opportunities is available here.