IP Osgoode Innovation Clinic: Call for Clinical Fellows (2020/2021 academic year)

The IP Osgoode Innovation Clinic, the first student-based clinic of its kind in Canada, is seeking law students from Osgoode Hall Law School to provide assistance to under-resourced inventors, entrepreneurs and start-up companies with their innovation and commercialization activities.

Positions Available:  Innovation Clinic Fellows (5-10 positions)

It is expected that the majority of the work done by students will relate to patent law.  The remaining time would be spent working on other IP-related and start-up business related needs as they arise.  The students’ work will be supervised by lawyers from Norton Rose Fulbright LLP and Bereskin & Parr LLP and may include:

  • Reviewing business transactions involving IP
  • Assisting with various steps in the patent prosecution process (i.e.: conducting prior art searches, reviewing patent specifications, etc.)
  • Performing freedom-to-operate and clearance searches
  • Performing trademark searches
  • Reviewing IP Agreements and licensing assistance
  • Conducting legal research

Term:  September 2020 - April 2021, with a possibility to continue on for the 2021 summer term.

Note:  Please note the position is a part-time volunteer position.  Students may claim OPIR hours for work done at the Innovation Clinic.

 Qualifications:

  • an interest in IP law, technology and commercialization issues
  • responsiveness and a commitment to client service
  • attention to detail and ability to write clearly and concisely
  • excellent time-management, organizational, and interpersonal skills
  • you must be a 1L, 2L or 3L student at Osgoode Hall Law School
  • completion of the Legal Values: IP Commercialization Seminar course is not required but would be considered an asset
  • completion of the Intellectual Property or Patents course is not required but would be considered an asset

Application Process:

Deadline: Friday, September 4, 2020

Please provide the following materials via email to iposgoode@osgoode.yorku.ca:

  • One page cover letter (briefly outlining your interests in IP law)
  • Copy of your resume and unofficial grades
  • A sample of your written work (max. 750 words)

Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.