University of Wisconsin Law School 1L students Brent Brunner and Wonkyo Jeong, coached by Jonathan Blanchard of Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, placed third nationally at the 2025 USPTO National Patent Application Drafting Competition.

The competition brought together over 40 teams from law schools across the country to compete in patent application drafting, amending and prosecution. Earlier this spring, Brunner and Jeong advanced through two rounds of competition in the Rocky Mountain Regional, ultimately winning the Regional Championship to secure their place in the national finals.

At the national finals, held on April 4 in Washington, D.C., the team presented their work before a panel of distinguished judges from the intellectual property community, showcasing their technical analysis, claim drafting and enforcement strategy, all of which are essential components of protecting innovation in the patent system.

In addition to gaining practical experience they will use in their careers in patent law, the students interacted with leaders in the intellectual property community and highlighted UW Law's strong intellectual property law education on the national stage.

"Earning third place in the 2025 National Patent Application Drafting Competition is a remarkable feat, and to do so as 1Ls is nearly unheard of," said BJ Ard, associate professor of law who teaches and writes on copyright, intellectual property, and the intersections of law and technology.

The students extend their sincere appreciation to all those who have supported them along the way, including the faculty and members of the Technology & Intellectual Property Student Organization (TIPSO), advised by Ard. Following the competition, Brunner has been elected the new TIPSO President (with co-president Lizzie Wright), and Jeong will serve as the organization’s Tech Law Liaison.

Submitted by Law School News on April 15, 2025

This article appears in the categories: Features, Students

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