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Ken Turchi
IU Maurer School of Law
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Last modified: Thursday, June 9, 2011

IU Maurer School of Law, Cook Medical Technologies announce externship program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2011

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Indiana University Maurer School of Law's Center for Intellectual Property Research and Cook Medical Technologies LLC have formed an externship program for intellectual property students, according to Mark D. Janis, Robert A. Lucas Chair of Law and director of the center.

Students who are selected for the program will be designated Cook IP fellows, and will gain hands-on experience in patent law while earning academic credit. Exceptional students may be selected as Cook IP fellows as early as the summer after their first year in law school. Under the supervision of Cook patent counsel, the Cook IP fellows will engage in an ongoing strategic analysis of Cook's portfolio of patents for medical devices.

"It's a demanding program that requires students to develop their patent law skills in a fast-paced business environment where the technology is sophisticated," Janis said. "That's an extraordinary opportunity for any aspiring patent lawyer."

Janis credited Cook's patent lawyers and its executive vice president of sales and marketing, Pete Yonkman, for their support in developing the program. "We're able to offer the Cook IP fellows program thanks to the vision and generosity of people such as Pete Yonkman. It's a privilege for our center to partner with Cook," he said.

"The Cook IP fellows program takes our longstanding relationship with Cook Medical to a new level," said Lauren Robel, dean and Val Nolan Professor of Law. "It builds on what we have learned about the value of partnerships with the business and legal communities throughout the world."

"This program will be a win-win for everyone involved," said Yonkman. "The Cook IP fellows will gain a deeper understanding of how patent law works in a business setting. Cook will benefit from the students' conversion of our IP assets into a more manageable portfolio. And our outside counsel will get an early look at students for future internships or full-time employment."

The summer 2011 Cook IP fellows are Justin Macy and Kate McTavish. They will be supervised by Kevin Leffel, director of intellectual property at Cook Medical Technologies. The company's outside attorneys, Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, McNett, & Henry LLP of Indianapolis, and Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione of Chicago, will also work closely with the Cook IP fellows.