Top Intellectual Property Law Schools

The field of intellectual property (IP) law has become increasingly important in today’s global economy, as businesses, artists, and individuals alike seek to protect their inventions, creative works, and innovations. As a result, law schools with strong IP programs have gained prominence, offering specialized training that prepares students for the growing demand for IP legal expertise. Among these institutions, the University of California--Berkeley, Boston University, and New York University stand out as some of the top law schools for IP law, offering innovative programs that provide comprehensive training in this dynamic and evolving field.

The University of California--Berkeley School of Law (UC Berkeley) is widely regarded as one of the premier law schools in the United States, and its intellectual property program is consistently ranked at the top. According to the 2011 edition of "America’s Best Graduate Schools" published by U.S. News & World Report, Berkeley’s IP program is ranked No. 1 in the nation. This ranking reflects the strength of its faculty, curriculum, and connections to the broader tech and innovation ecosystems in the San Francisco Bay Area. Berkeley Law’s IP program provides students with a deep understanding of the legal, regulatory, and business issues surrounding IP law. It offers courses in a wide range of areas, including patent law, copyright law, trademark law, and trade secrets, as well as emerging topics such as privacy law and the intersection of IP and technology.

Berkeley’s reputation as a leader in intellectual property law is further bolstered by its proximity to Silicon Valley, a hub for technological innovation. The law school’s IP faculty includes leading scholars and practitioners in the field, many of whom are involved in cutting-edge research and practice. In addition to a rigorous academic curriculum, Berkeley Law students benefit from the opportunity to participate in internships and externships with tech companies, law firms, and government agencies that deal with IP issues. The program also provides students with opportunities to engage in IP-related clinics, where they can work on real-world cases involving intellectual property disputes. This combination of top-tier academic training and practical experience makes UC Berkeley’s IP program an ideal choice for students interested in pursuing a career in IP law.

Boston University School of Law (BU Law) has also established itself as a leader in the field of intellectual property law. In the 2011 U.S. News & World Report rankings, BU Law’s IP program made a significant leap, moving up seven places from 11th to 4th overall. This remarkable improvement underscores the program’s strength and the growing recognition of BU Law as a top institution for IP law education. BU Law offers a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Intellectual Property Law, which provides a specialized credential for domestic and foreign-trained lawyers seeking to deepen their expertise in this area of law.

The LL.M. program at Boston University is known for its comprehensive and flexible curriculum. Students in the program can choose from a wide range of IP and IP-related courses, such as patent law, copyright law, international intellectual property law, and IP in the digital age. The program is designed to accommodate both U.S.-trained lawyers who wish to specialize in IP law and international students who want to gain expertise in U.S. IP law. BU Law’s IP faculty is highly respected and includes practitioners with significant experience in both the academic and practical aspects of IP law. The school’s location in Boston, a city known for its thriving tech and life sciences industries, provides students with ample opportunities to gain practical experience through internships, externships, and networking events with leading IP firms and organizations.

In addition to its academic offerings, BU Law provides students with the opportunity to participate in the school’s IP-related clinics and moot court competitions, where they can work on real cases involving IP issues or engage in simulated IP disputes. The school’s connections to the broader business and tech communities enhance its ability to offer students real-world exposure to the challenges and opportunities in IP law. Overall, Boston University’s strong IP program, academic rigor, and practical experience opportunities make it an excellent choice for students pursuing careers in intellectual property law.

New York University School of Law (NYU Law) is another top-ranked law school with a reputation for excellence in intellectual property law. In the 2011 U.S. News & World Report rankings, NYU Law made a significant jump, rising from 16th place in 2010 to 5th place nationally. This increase in rank reflects the strength and growing recognition of NYU’s IP program, which is one of the most comprehensive and well-regarded in the country.

NYU Law offers a Certificate in Intellectual Property Law, which provides students with an in-depth study of the nature and scope of intellectual property rights, along with tools for valuing and managing these rights in a commercial context. The program is designed to give students the legal foundation necessary to navigate the complex and ever-changing landscape of IP law. The curriculum covers a wide range of IP topics, including copyright law, patent law, trademark law, and trade secret law, and is supplemented by courses in related areas such as technology law and privacy law.

NYU’s IP faculty is composed of leading scholars and practitioners who are highly regarded for their expertise in the field. In addition to its strong academic curriculum, NYU Law offers students numerous opportunities to gain practical experience in IP law through its extensive network of industry contacts and its location in New York City, a global hub for law firms, media companies, tech startups, and multinational corporations. NYU Law also offers students the chance to participate in various IP-related clinics, externships, and competitions, which provide hands-on experience in dealing with real-world IP issues. The combination of a top-ranked IP curriculum, a world-class faculty, and practical exposure to the IP industry makes NYU Law an ideal choice for students pursuing a career in intellectual property law.

The intellectual property programs at the University of California--Berkeley, Boston University, and New York University are among the best in the nation, offering students a robust academic foundation and ample opportunities for practical experience. These schools’ commitment to providing students with a comprehensive understanding of intellectual property law, along with access to industry professionals, internships, and externships, makes them excellent choices for anyone interested in pursuing a career in this dynamic field. With their strong rankings, distinguished faculties, and innovative programs, these law schools are well-equipped to prepare the next generation of lawyers who will shape the future of intellectual property law in an increasingly globalized and digital world.

Intellectual Property Law Specialty Rankings:
1. University of California–Berkeley
2. Stanford University
3. George Washington University
4. Boston University
5. New York University
6. Columbia University
7. University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
8. University of Houston
9. Duke University
9. Franklin Pierce Law Center
Source: US News 2011