Practitioner-in-Residence

We are looking to hire a Practitioner-in-Residence in our IP Venture Clinic at Case Western Reserve. See the announcement below for details, and please circulate to potential candidates.

Case Western Reserve University School of Law has a dynamic and nationally recognized Experiential Education curriculum. The highly regarded Intellectual Property Venture Clinic (“IPVC”) forms part of this curriculum. The IPVC is part of the law school’s Kramer Law Clinic, and its mission is to represent entrepreneurs in the formation and launch of investable companies with intellectual property strategies. 

To support the IPVC’s mission, we are hiring a Practitioner-in-Residence (“PIR”), starting fall 2017.  This is a 12-month grant-funded position, renewable for up to two additional 12-month terms. The PIR will work with the Director of the Spangenberg Center for Law, Technology & the Arts, the Director of the Kramer Law Clinic Center, and an adjunct professor experienced in patent preparation and prosecution. Applications should be sent to the attention of Craig Nard, the Director of the Spangenberg Center, at craig.nard@case.edu. 

The primary role of the PIR is to engage in case management and to provide supervision and training for law students who will directly represent clients having intellectual property, business formation, and early-venture related issues.  The successful candidate will engage in activities that include, but are not limited to, the following:

-- Negotiation and contract drafting, including non-disclosure agreements, independent contractor agreements, employment agreements, and founder agreements; 
-- Choice of entity and entity formation, joint ventures, and strategic alliances;
-- Strategic intellectual property analyses;
-- Developing an academic and pedagogical framework necessary to deepen and focus sustained student involvement, through clinical and classroom instruction;
-- Participating in academic initiatives, and the knitting together of a regional professional network, including pro bono referrals, that will help student participants leverage their experiential learning and continue their good works in the region after graduation when they enter practice.

The PIR will join the Kramer Law Clinic faculty and is expected to engage in activities as directed by the Director of the Clinical Program. 

Mandatory qualifications:

-- A J.D. degree from an approved, ABA accredited school, with a record of high academic achievement;
-- Admission to the bar in Ohio or ability to waive into the jurisdiction;
-- Law school teaching experience or five years of practice experience in the relevant legal areas
-- Transactional experience with early-stage companies;
-- Working knowledge of intellectual property issues; and
-- Excellent written and oral communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred qualifications:

-- Experience with preparation and prosecution of patent applications;
-- Experience in a clinical teaching setting