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Intellectual Property Student Mentorship Program

The Intellectual Property section of the North Carolina Bar Association desires to increase networking and professional development opportunities for law students interested in the IP profession.  To further this goal, we are continuing our formal mentorship program to pair current law students with local IP attorneys during the 2024-2025 academic calendar year.

Program Outline

  1. Deadline to submit mentee/mentor applications: November 28, 2024
  2. Kickoff reception for all mentors and mentees at the NC Bar Center: January 16, 2025
  3. Monthly events for each individual mentor-mentee pairing: January through April
  4. Spring social event for mentors and mentees: April 10, 2025

Eligibility Requirements for Mentees:

To participate in the 2024-2025 mentorship program as a student-mentee, you must fit the criteria below and complete the application form.

  1. Be a current law student (1L, 2L or 3L) enrolled and in good standing at a law school in North Carolina;
  2. Express genuine interest in intellectual property law as a career path; and
  3. Be committed to communicating with your mentor on a monthly basis to schedule meetings, networking events, and other professional learning opportunities.

If you previously participated in the mentorship program, you are eligible to participate again by submitting a new application. Submit the following application by November 28, 2024.

Submit Application

 

Eligibility Requirements for Mentors:

To participate in the 2024-2025 mentorship program as an attorney-mentor, you must fit the criteria below:

  1. Be a current attorney in good standing licensed to practice in North Carolina;
  2. Be a member of the NCBA’s Intellectual Property Section;
  3. Primarily or substantially practice intellectual property law (including practices related to patents, trademarks, copyright, trade secrets, and transactional IP); and
  4. Be committed to communicating with your mentee on a monthly basis to schedule meetings, networking events, and other professional learning opportunities.

To apply for a spot to be a mentor in the IP Section’s Student Mentorship Program, please submit the following application by November 21, 2024.

Submit Application

 

Suggested Monthly Events

Mentees and mentors may use their discretion in choosing monthly events that further the goals of networking and professional development for mentees.  If you need help getting started, here are some ideas:

  1. Attending the mentorship welcome reception and closing reception together
  2. Having an initial lunch/call/coffee break for the mentor and mentee to discuss their respective goals and practices
  3. Attending a relevant CLE, lecture, or other presentation together
  4. Attending a bar luncheon, dinner, or other networking event together
  5. Shadowing an IP attorney during a deposition, trial, or other meeting (where appropriate)
  6. Introducing mentees to other attorneys at your firm or in your professional network

Questions?

If you have questions about the NCBA Intellectual Property Section Student Mentorship program, please contact Sherard Johnson, Community Manager, at [email protected].