Minnesota Law Wins 2025 National Patent Application Drafting Competition

The University of Minnesota Law School took first place in the 2025 National Patent Application Drafting Competition, hosted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). After triumphing in the Midwest Regional Competition, Minnesota Law progressed to the final national rounds, competing against the top four teams at USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. The regional rounds featured up to 75 teams divided into five regions. The winner from each region was invited to participate in the national finals before a panel of senior USPTO officials and other distinguished judges.

The team includes Master of Science in Patent Law students Ola Ayaso ’25, Ross Brink ’25, and J.D. student Rick Klinger ’26. Adjunct Professor Paul Parins, partner at Kagan Binder, coached the team, with support from J.D. student Michael Young ’25. The team demonstrated exceptional patent drafting and advocacy skills by working through a hypothetical invention statement, conducting a prior art search, preparing a specification, drafting claims, and presenting their reasoning for patentability and claim strategy before a distinguished panel of judges.

“This win is a testament to the strength of our patent law program and the commitment of our students,” said Professor Chris Turoski ’98, director of Minnesota Law's Patent Law Programs. “Competitors will remember drafting this first patent application for the rest of their lives. We are deeply proud of their achievement and grateful to the USPTO for creating a platform that nurtures the next generation of patent professionals.”

Team members described the experience as both academically enriching and professionally transformative. They emphasized the importance of teamwork, mentorship, and real-world skill development, noting that the competition offered a unique opportunity to apply classroom learning to a practical and highly demanding legal exercise.

Congratulations to the team!