DIVERSITY SUMMER WORKSHOP

The Harrity & Harrity Diversity Summer Workshop brings together engineering students, law students, and recent law school graduates to learn the skills involved in being a patent attorney.  During the summer workshop, participants have the opportunity to learn patent preparation and patent prosecution, as well as receive mentorship from associates and partners at Harrity & Harrity.  This program provides an in depth look in to the patent field, rivaling what can be taught in a traditional classroom setting.

2017 WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS

During this week long program, participants had the opportunity to attend presentations by Teresa Rea, former Director of the USPTO, Courtney Holohan, Chief IP Counsel at Accenture, and Allen Lo, Deputy General Counsel for Patents for Google. Associates also taught in depth courses on drafting, inventor interviews, and examiner interviews. “It was a pleasure seeing so many young attorneys and soon to be attorneys showing an interest in the field,” says managing partner John Harrity. Participants gained hands on experience through a series of drafting and prosecuting exercises, and one on one interviews with the firm’s partners. At the end of the week, participants were invited to join the Harrity & Harrity team at National’s Park for a baseball game. We look forward to continuing the program in the coming years, and to introducing more students to the patent field.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Harrity & Harrity is excited to announce the firm’s first annual Diversity Summer Workshop. A select group of candidates will participate in a week-long program geared towards an introduction to the practice of patent law. This program will take place during the week of May 22-26, 2017, and is open to 1L’s, 2L’s, 3L’s, recent law school graduates, and undergraduate or graduate level engineering students with diverse backgrounds.

The program includes:

  • USPTO Tour and Washington Nationals Baseball Game
  • Patent Law Introductory Training
  • Patent Preparation Skills Training
  • Patent Prosecution Skills Training
  • Shadowing Attorneys
    • Inventor Interviews
    • Examiner Interviews
  • One-on-one Attorney Mentoring
  • Resume and Interview Preparation Workshops
  • Law School Career Mentoring
  • Attorney Career Mentoring
  • Patent Bar Preparation

Eligibility Requirements:

Candidates MUST:

  1. Be in good standing as a law student at an ABA accredited law school, or be a recent law school
    graduate of an ABA accredited law school, or be an engineering undergraduate/graduate student;
  2. Demonstrate a record of academic and/or professional achievement;
  3. Contribute meaningfully to the diversity of the firm and legal community;
  4. Have a sincere interest in practicing patent law; and
  5. Have a background in a technical field

Program Application Process (CLOSED):
Applications will be accepted from April 1, 2017 through April 30, 2017. Candidates must submit a completed application, a personal statement expressing their interest in pursuing a career in the patent field, as well as their resume, and two references (one of whom must be a professional at an educational institution attended). Please see application form for further instructions. Download HERE.

Please note: Participants are responsible for their own lodging and transportation. A list of hotels in close proximity to the office will be released upon acceptance to the program.