New York, New York—April 6, 2023—The International Trademark Association (INTA) is pleased to announce the winners of the Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court Competition, an annual event honoring Saul Lefkowitz, whose entire distinguished career was dedicated to the development of trademark and unfair competition law.
Now in its 32nd ear, the Competition introduces law students to important issues arising in U.S. trademark and unfair competition law and is open to teams of students from U.S. accredited law schools. Students develop their brief-writing and oral advocacy skills in a mock courtroom experience. Approximately 80 teams of law students participate each year.
The winners this year are:
- Best Team: UCLA School of Law
- Second Place Team: University of San Diego Law School
- Best Oralist: Chicago-Kent College of Law
- Second Place Oralist: Emory University School of Law
- Best Brief: UCLA School of Law
- Second Place Brief: Yale Law School
As Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court Competition Project Team member, Gary Nelson (Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie, USA), enthused, “There is no better training for becoming a trademark litigator than participating in the Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court Competition while in law school.”
“The Competition offers students a unique opportunity to brief a case and argue both sides of the case before a panel of some of the most experienced trademark practitioners in the country, added fellow Project Team leader, Katie McKnight (Finnegan, USA). “Thanks to the continued support of national finals by the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, students not only gain experience interacting with administrative trademark judges and interlocutory attorneys, but also receive invaluable feedback from the judges that they can take with them as they enter the practice of law.”
Sophia DiFilippo (UCLA School of Law) emerged from the experience with insight and direction. “This competition pushed us to learn the ins and outs of trademark law and to advocate creatively and effectively for our clients. This process also helped me realize my interest in pursuing appellate work in the future. Thank you to all the volunteers, practitioners, and judges who made this competition happen!”
Samantha Frazier (UCLA School of Law) added, “Competing in the Saul Lefkowitz National Moot Court Competition in Washington, D.C., was truly the highlight of my 2L year. Not only did this experience help me refine my written and oral advocacy skills, but it helped me discover a new area of law—trademark—that I now hope to remain involved with in the future. My teammate and I were honored to have the opportunity to argue in front of such esteemed trademark judges and practitioners, and overall, this experience is one that I will carry with me as I advance through my legal career.”
Many of the past winners have gone on to have careers in IP with INTA organizations and, even, to take on leadership roles in the Association. “It is always exciting to involve and engage law students in a way that makes clear how creative and fascinating intellectual property is. Congratulations to the winning teams and welcome to the next generation of IP practitioners!” declared INTA CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo.
About the International Trademark Association
The International Trademark Association (INTA) is a global association of brand owners and professionals dedicated to supporting trademarks and complementary intellectual property (IP) to foster consumer trust, economic growth, and innovation, and committed to building a better society through brands. Members include nearly 6,000 organizations, representing more than 33,500 individuals (trademark owners, professionals, and academics) from 181 countries, who benefit from the Association’s global trademark resources, policy development, education and training, and international network. Founded in 1878, INTA is headquartered in New York City, with offices in Beijing, Brussels, Santiago, Singapore, and the Washington, D.C., Metro Area, and representatives in Amman and New Delhi. For more information, visit inta.org.