News

A Master of Science in Patent Law can help STEM professionals in science, technology, and engineering,  leverage their technical expertise to protect inventions and shape innovation policy. A patent law degree program equips professionals with the legal and technical fluency necessary for navigating patents and intellectual property systems.

Many people assume you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree to work in patent law. However, you can actually pursue a number of rewarding careers in patent law without a doctorate degree — especially if your undergraduate background is in engineering, technology, or a scientific field.

So, what is the best degree for patent law career paths? Do you need a law degree for the patent bar? What do you need to understand for patent law work?

The University of Minnesota Law School mourns the passing of Judge David S. Doty ’61, one of our most distinguished alumni, a devoted supporter of Minnesota Law, and one of the most influential jurists in the history of the federal judiciary in Minnesota.

The University of Minnesota Law School’s Human Rights Center and European Digital Rights (EDRi) jointly hosted a hybrid presentation and discussion of a new policy paper, A Legal and Political Assessment of the Pall Mall Process in Brussels, on Thursday, June 11, in Brussels and online.

Four Minnesota Law Students, Nathanael Ashton-Piper ’27, Frannie Mace ’28, William Olson ’27, and Cesar Plascencia ’27, have been awarded 2026 Peggy Browning Fellowships in workplace justice advocacy. Over 3,300 law students nationwide applied for the fellowships, with 103 students receiving the awards.

Ward C. Schendel passed away on April 23 at age 73. He was a resident of Vancouver, Washington. He was a 1974 graduate of Augsburg University and went on to the University of Minnesota Law School where he graduated in 1977. 

Earlier this semester, Minnesota Law won the ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC) Regional Competition held in Philadelphia. Thirty-two teams competed for the chance to advance to the national rounds to be held in Chicago in April 2026. Two teams of Minnesota Law students performed exceptionally well, earning multiple team and individual awards. 

Professor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, KC (Hons), Regents Professor, Robina Professor of Law, Public Policy and Society, and faculty director of the Human Rights Center, and Visiting Clinical Professor of Law Ana Pottratz Acosta, faculty director of the Immigration and Human Rights Clinic, are among 12 individuals appointed to the Governor's Council on Recording the Truth of Operation Metro Surge and Operation PARRIS on Minnesotans (Minnesota Truth Council).

Before she ever opened a casebook, Kerrick Edwards ’26 had already spent years learning how the law shapes people’s lives in practice.

Thank you to all who joined us for the 10th anniversary celebration of the Allen '56 and Linda Saeks Public Interest Residency Program earlier this month. It was an honor to celebrate the profound and lasting impact of the Residency Program with so many of you. 

During the celebration, we heard from Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice Theodora Gaïtas '94, who remarked about the vital role of public service and the power of our shared mission.