Juelsgaard IP & Innovation Clinic

Mission & Overview

The Juelsgaard IP and Innovation Clinic provides intellectual property and innovation legal services to startups and entrepreneurs, with particular emphasis on serving underrepresented founders. Students work with inventors and startup founders on patent prosecution, IP transactions, technology licensing, and corporate governance while gaining practical experience in IP law.

This clinic bridges innovation and access to justice, addressing the gap in affordable IP services for early-stage companies. Students develop expertise in patent law while serving as advisors to innovators and entrepreneurs in the Stanford ecosystem and beyond.

What Students Do

IP & Innovation Clinic students engage in diverse IP services:

• Patent Prosecution — Work on patent applications, office actions, and prosecution strategy
• IP Counseling — Advise clients on patent protection, trade secrets, and IP strategy
• Technology Licensing — Draft and negotiate IP licenses and technology agreements
• Due Diligence — Conduct IP due diligence for investments and transactions
• Invention Disclosure — Help clients document and protect inventions
• Corporate Transactions — Advise on IP aspects of startup incorporation and agreements

Learning Objectives

Upon completion, students will be able to:

• Understand patent law, trademark law, and IP strategy
• Conduct prior art searches and patentability analysis
• Draft patent applications and respond to office actions
• Advise clients on IP protection strategies
• Draft technology licensing and IP agreements
• Support innovation and entrepreneurship

Teaching Approach

The clinic combines IP doctrine with practical client work:

• Seminars on patent law, IP strategy, and startup legal issues
• Individual supervision of client work by IP practitioners
• Hands-on patent prosecution and drafting
• Client counseling on IP strategy
• Feedback on technical writing and IP documents

Faculty Supervision

Faculty supervisors are experienced IP practitioners. They provide:

• Training on patent law doctrine and prosecution
• Oversight of all patent and licensing work
• Detailed feedback on patent applications and IP documents
• Mentorship on IP strategy and counseling
• Guidance on supporting innovation and entrepreneurs

Enrollment & Requirements

Who Can Enroll?

Open to 2L and 3L students. Patent Law or IP Fundamentals strongly recommended. Successful applicants demonstrate:

• Strong technical and analytical abilities
• Interest in IP law and entrepreneurship
• Precision in legal writing and analysis
• Interest in serving underrepresented entrepreneurs

Application Process

Students apply and may be assessed on technical background and IP interest.

Schedule & Time Commitment

Units: 7-12 units

Time Commitment: 12-18 hours per week, including:

• Weekly 1.5-hour seminars
• Client meetings and IP counseling
• Patent application and drafting work

Format: Semester-based or year-long

Client Work & Impact

Students have worked with clients in:

• Software and AI innovation
• Biotech and life sciences
• Medical devices and healthcare
• Clean tech and sustainability
• Hardware and mechanical inventions
• Consumer technology startups

Real-World Impact

Clinic work has resulted in successful patent applications, technology licenses, and startup incorporations. Many clients have received funding and achieved commercial success with clinic legal support. Alumni pursue careers in IP law, in-house counsel roles, and tech company legal positions.

Resources & Materials

Students have access to:

• Patent databases and prior art search tools (USPTO, Google Patents)
• IP practice guides and patent drafting resources
• Client database and case files from prior clinic work
• Startup ecosystem connections and networks
• Legal research and IP counseling materials

Contacts & Further Information

Clinic Director: Contact the Stanford Law Clinics office for current faculty assignments

Information: Visit the Juelsgaard Clinic page or contact law-clinics@stanford.edu

Application Period: Spring for fall; fall for spring