III. The Jan Jancin Competition

The Jan Jancin Competition includes two separate awards offered to law students nominated by their schools who have excelled in the study of intellectual property law. The first award is the Jan Jancin Award, which includes a cash award of $5,000. The second award has been established by the Past Presidents of the American Intellectual Property Law Association and awards up to a maximum of a $2,500 cash award. Details of these awards are listed below.

Invitation for Nomination for the 2012 Jan Jancin Competition

On behalf of the American Intellectual Property Law Education Foundation (AIPLEF), the Intellectual Property Law Section of the American Bar Association (ABA-IPL), and the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), the AIPLA Past Presidents, we are pleased to invite your institution to nominate a law student who has excelled in the study of intellectual property law. The 2012 Jan Jancin Competition is offering two awards, as follows:

The first award is the time-honored and prestigious Jan Jancin Award, which includes a cash award of $5,000. The late Jan Jancin served not only as President of AIPLA and Chair of the ABA-IPL Section, but served with distinction in other leadership roles in other intellectual property law associations, nationally and internationally. Students of IP law and growth in quality IP law education were keen interests of Mr. Jancin. Additionally, he was a persistent and perceptive observer of the legislative process as it related to all aspects of IP law, and regularly reported to several IP law associations on those activities. The ABA-IPL Section, AIPLA and AIPLEF are pleased to continue the tradition of honoring an outstanding IP law student each year in the name of Jan Jancin.

The winner will receive, in addition to the $5,000 cash award, reasonable travel expenses to receive the award at the 2012 AIPLA Annual Meeting. The recipient must be able to attend in person to receive the award, which will be presented during the conference.

The second award The AIPLA Past Presidents Award for 2012 has been established by the Past Presidents of the American Intellectual Property Law Association. The winner will receive, up to a maximum cash award of $2,500, and will be invited to attend the 2012 AIPLA Annual Meeting. If unable to attend, the award will be mailed to the winner. The recipients of the AIPLA Past Presidents Award for the last three years have received $2,500.

Applications

Accordingly, we request that you submit one nomination of a law student enrolled in your institution in the year 2012 (including year 2012 graduation candidates) that has exemplified excellence in intellectual property academic studies, is interested in pursuing a career in intellectual property law, and may have participated as a leader in intellectual property-related student activities for consideration. Enclosed is an explanation of exemplary criteria for nominees for the award.

 Please note: Only ONE nomination and recommendation letter from each school accepted. The nomination should be no more that two pages and completed by a member of the faculty who has a direct knowledge of the student’s work.

 Please submit a nomination in the form of a letter of recommendation on Law School letterhead, enclosing a one-page written summation of the achievements from the nominee along with all items listed in the exemplary criteria including student’s application summary.

Exemplary Criteria For Nominees For The Award

Any law school having at least one IP course is eligible for participation. The dean or appropriate faculty member of each law school, who has a direct knowledge of the student, will determine which IP student among the men and women in that law school best exemplifies excellence in the field of intellectual property law and thereby qualifies as a candidate for the award. Only ONE nomination from each law school will be accepted. The dean is to make the determination in whatever reasonable way he/she wishes. Each dean will have the flexibility to use any reasonable criteria, including, by way of example, any of the following:

• best grades in IP courses overall;
• outstanding achievement in specified IP courses;
• best IP paper written by a student;
• determination by a faculty consensus; or
• membership and activity in student IP organizations.

Each participating dean or delegated faculty member who has a direct knowledge of the student, nominates a candidate by sending to the Award Committee a letter identifying the student candidate along with a brief summary of the student’s achievements in IP law, together with a paragraph or two explaining why the student is considered deserving of the award. This letter should be no more that two pages in length. The student must also complete the Jan Jancin Application Summary and submit a one-page essay discussing their personal achievements in the field of IP law to be included in the package submitted by the law school. The (i) nomination letter (ii) application summary and (iii) the one-page written summation of achievements written by the student are essential for selection consideration to receive the award.