Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University has launched the Wolin Family Center for Intellectual Property Law. The center will have curriculum, hands-on experiential learning and strategic partnerships to prepare the next generation of attorneys to navigate the rapidly evolving IP landscape.
The center will focus on core areas of IP law, including patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets, while also tackling emerging opportunities such as AI-generated content, digital copyright and data privacy.
Stacy Leeds, dean of ASU Law, said the launch of the center solidifies the commitment to equipping students with the knowledge and practical skills needed to excel in IP law.
“Combining rigorous academic curriculum, including real-world experience, with mentorship and guidance from industry leaders, we are confident that the Wolin Center will quickly achieve national prominence in the field,” Leeds said.
The Wolin Center will foster industry collaboration through partnerships with leading technology companies, startups and policymakers. Its initiatives will include student recruitment and mentorship, public and corporate externships and clinical opportunities. The center will also be a convener of top IP leaders so that students can be at the forefront of discussions on topics such as international patent disputes and open-source licensing.
In addition to its academic programs, the center will support students throughout their legal careers by offering scholarships, patent bar preparation and lifelong engagement opportunities for alumni. Best-in-class recruitment, combined with more than 70 current faculty and dozens of courses, ensures that ASU Law will remain a premier destination for aspiring IP attorneys.
“The rapid advancement of technology is reshaping the legal landscape, and ASU Law is at the forefront of training the next generation of IP leaders,” said Douglas Sylvester, professor of law and executive director of intellectual property at ASU Law.
The center is named after Harry and Tracy Wolin. Harry (J.D. ’88) retired in 2024 from AMD, a Silicon Valley-based semiconductor company, where he was senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary for more than 20 years. Prior to becoming general counsel in 2003, Harry was vice president of intellectual property.
“It is beneficial for law firms and corporations to have young lawyers enter the workforce with a significant intellectual property background,” Harry Wolin said. “As a longtime corporate executive in the intellectual property space, I’ve seen the value this provides.”
