Akron Law Admissions News

Director of U.S. Patent And Trademark Office to speak at UA

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 15:21:09 EDT

The most significant changes to U.S. patent law since the Patent Act of 1836 were enacted into law last October with the new "America Invents Act (AIA)." The impact of those changes affects all businesses – large and small – and overall American innovation and research commercialization.

David J. Kappos

David J. Kappos, the U.S. Undersecretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, will be the keynote speaker at the 14^th annual Richard C. Sughrue Symposium on Intellectual Property Law and Policy on Monday, March 19, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The symposium will be held at the John S. Knight Center in Akron and is co-sponsored by The University of Akron School of Law and Sughrue Mion PLLC law firm.

Panel draws international speakers

In addition, the program will also include a review of recent developments in patent, trademark, and copyright law, as well as a panel discussion on international IP, with speakers from China, Mexico and France. Another panel will focus on IP and Internet, including a review of developments relating to domain name disputes.

Jeffrey M. Samuels, the David L. Brennan Professor of Law and director of UA's Center for Intellectual Property Law and Technology, said Kappos will discuss procedural changes patent holders can expect with respect to patent litigation and disputes.

"Undersecretary Kappos will address the new tools and initiatives the office is implementing to improve patent quality and promote innovation," Samuels said. "The office's goal has been to develop policies and procedures to speed up the patent review process and reduce a significant patent application backlog. We encourage all IP attorneys, inventors and other IP professionals to attend and learn first-hand how the new law will affect their practices."

For registration information, call 330-972-6363, e-mail manovac@uakron.edu or visit the School of Law .

Unable to attend? Follow live on Twitter at http://twitter.com/AkronLaw.

Co-sponsor Sughrue Mion celebrates more than 50 years as an international intellectual property law firm specializing in patent, trademark, copyright, Internet, trade secret and unfair competition law. The sponsorship is in memory of founding partner Richard C. Sughrue.

About The University of Akron School of Law

The University of Akron School of Law promotes justice, the protection of individual liberty and the rule of law through commitment to excellence in teaching, scholarship and service. A regional school of national impact, the law school features renowned programs in intellectual property, professional responsibility and trial advocacy, and is home to one of four Constitutional Law Centers in the United States, established by the U.S. Congress in 1986.To learn more, visit the School of Law online.

Media contacts: Laura Massie, 330-972-6476 or massie1@uakron.edu, or Diana Vanucci, 330-972-2063 or diana@uakron.edu.

How to Pay for Law School

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:48:17 EST

Paying for law school can be a challenge, but there are many resources available to help you do it. Akron Law offers need-based and merit-based scholarships to entering and upper-division students, and for costs not covered by scholarships, the federal government offers need-based and credit-based loan programs. Many private lenders also offer educational loans to law students. Click here for more information on how to pay for your legal education.

Discover Law Day - February 25

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:48:45 EST

The University of Akron School of Law will host Discover Law Day for all prospective law students on Saturday, February 25, 2012. This program is FREE and open to the public. Click the button to the left for more information and to register to attend.

Fall 2011 Entering Class Profile

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 15:36:24 EDT

On August 15, 2011, the fall 2011 entering class arrived at Akron Law. This entering class consists of 100 full-time students and 75 part-time students, with a median LSAT of 153 and a median undergraduate GPA of 3.37. 41 percent of our new students are women and 14 percent identified as members of a racial or ethnic minority group. Our new students come to us from 16 states and one foreign country, and they represent 71 undergraduate schools and 61 undergraduate majors. Read more about this year’s entering class here.

UA Foundation selects Joseph Reece for Investment Committee

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 11:18:45 EST

Joseph E. Reece

The University of Akron Foundation selected alumnus Joseph E. Reece to serve on its Investment Committee. Reece, who resides in New York City, is a managing director in the investment banking division at Credit Suisse Securities. He also serves as global head of the bank's equity capital markets and is a member of its investment banking management committee, global equities management committee and emerging markets management council.

As a member of the Investment Committee, Reece will assist in managing procedures for the foundation's endowment and operating funds; oversee and direct the foundation's external investment managers; and develop and recommend changes in investment objectives, portfolio managers and asset allocations.

"Inviting Mr. Reece to join the Investment Committee was an easy decision," says Philip A. Lloyd, president of the UA Foundation. "Joe brings a wealth of investment knowledge and experience. As an alumnus, he also has a special connection to and appreciation for the University and understands the critical role the foundation plays in its success."

Reece holds three degrees from UA: a bachelor's degree in labor economics (1984), a master's degree in business administration (1987), and a J.D. (1987). He also holds an L.L.M. (Master of Laws) in securities regulations from Georgetown University. As a student at UA, he was inducted into Omicron Delta Epsilon and Order of Omega honorary societies.

In 2008 the University honored Reece with an Outstanding Law Alumni Award, recognizing his support for the School of Law and his establishment, in 1994, of a Corporate Law Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded annually to a student with a demonstrated interest in corporate finance or securities law.

Prior to his current assignment, Reece was head of Credit Suisse's Global Industrials Group in 2010, Global Head of Basic Materials and Infrastructure Group in 2009, head of General Industrial and Services Group for the Americas from 2005 to 2009, and co-head of the Los Angeles office from 2004 to 2005.

Prior to joining the bank in 1997, Reece was an attorney in the corporate practice group of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. From 1987 to 1992, he was with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, ultimately serving as a special counsel to the Division of Corporation Finance.

Media contact: Sarah Lane, 330-972-7429 or slane@uakron.edu.