Law students in the Patent Law Clinic of The Plumeri Center for Small Business Empowerment at New York Law School (NYLS) visited Harvard Medical School (HMS) last month. The opportunity arose when the two inventors in Boston reached out to our clinic, seeking assistance related to a new technology they had invented for the ophthalmology industry. After discussions within our clinic centering on the nature of the invention and its timelines, our group decided to accept them as a new client, adding to our clinic’s medical innovation docket.
Patent Law Clinic students have worked with inventors at Yale Medical School; UT Health Houston’s McGovern Medical School; the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA; and The University of Central Florida College of Medicine. The medical technologies that clinic students have assisted their clients with include new technologies related to hip implants; probiotics and maintaining healthy intestines; cervical cancer; treatments for trachoma and hepatitis C; and now this innovative new medical device for the ophthalmology industry.
Here, NYLS students reflected on their recent visit to Boston and their experience working with these inventors and the innovative medical technology they have invented.
Christine (Ji Yun) Park ’26
My visit to Harvard Medical School in Boston was an experience I will remember. The excitement of exploring this world-renowned institution in the heart of the city was evident when I woke up early in the morning that day. The vibrant atmosphere on campus, coupled with gorgeous fall weather, made my arrival truly memorable, something unforgettable. This was my first visit to Harvard campus. As I looked around, it was inspiring to see and be able to recognize the familiar logos like Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and other well-known hospitals all in one area surrounding the medical school campus.
As a Patent Law Clinic member at NYLS, I have had the opportunity to work with passionate inventors seeking help in securing patent rights for their inventions. Meeting inventors at the medical school was equally fascinating and rekindled the passion that initially drew me to this field. The enthusiasm of the two inventors we are representing at Harvard Medical School reminded me of the importance of supporting their aspirations and the impact that innovative ideas can have on society. My visit to Harvard left me feeling motivated and reflective on my own journey. The experience not only broadened my understanding of the patent landscape but also reinforced my commitment to making a difference in the lives of passionate inventors. It was a truly eye-opening and inspirational experience that I will carry with me throughout my career.
Daria Denisenko ’26
Visiting Harvard Medical School with the Patent Law Clinic was an invaluable experience that brought our classroom learning into real-world practice. Our clinic was retained by two final year Harvard medical students to assist them in securing a patent for their eye surgery device — a potentially transformative invention in ophthalmologic medicine. The trip to Boston provided a unique opportunity to sit in the same room with our clients, discuss the invention in detail, and ask questions essential to our work as their legal counsel. The in-person meeting provided an opportunity to apply what we have learned by directly interacting with the two inventors. We worked in three small groups on behalf of our clinic to address three key topics and answered our clients’ questions during the 2.5-hour meeting.
This hands-on experience was more than just a meeting; it broadened my understanding of patent law, medicine, teamwork in our clinic, and — most importantly — the value of intellectual property in advancing innovations. Working under Professor Falati’s guidance has revealed the critical role that intellectual property (IP) law plays in protecting new technologies and bringing new innovations to market.
Continuing this project with the Harvard team is an incredible opportunity to deepen my knowledge of patent processes and contribute to a medical advancement that could improve patient care. This collaboration reinforces my commitment to IP law and my desire to work at the intersection of law and technology. Collaborating with my classmates has also emphasized the importance of teamwork in achieving shared goals and provided valuable preparation for my future career as a lawyer.
Reflecting on our trip to Boston, I realize how crucial hands-on experience is in bridging the gap between theory and practice, especially in a complex field like patent law. I am grateful for this opportunity to work alongside brilliant medical minds and gain practical experience that has enriched my learning.
Daniel Bonaventura ’26
The trip to HMS was an awesome experience for me and a testament to the high level of education and practical opportunities provided by Professor Falati in the Patent Law Clinic, NYLS Legal Services, and New York Law School as a whole. On this trip we met with two inventors seeking to patent a new and innovative medical device. It meant a lot to see how passionate they were about their invention andhow excited they were to be working with our clinic. We also were given a tour of the HMS campus which is both beautiful and inspiring. This hands-on experience is irreplicable in a classroom and strongly increased my knowledge and understanding of the patent process, in addition to other aspects of intellectual property. As someone who studied Business Administration with concentrations in Marketing and Entrepreneurship Management in undergrad, there is practically nothing that excites me more academically than to interact with entrepreneurs, startups, and new ventures in general. Through this experience at Harvard and through the clinic in general, I have been allowed to resume the entrepreneurial work that excited me in college, while building a legal foundation that is essential to being an IP lawyer or to start my own business. On reflection, I feel fortunate to have found an area of law that I am so passionate about, and I am enjoying learning more about it in doctrinal classes and as a member of the clinic.
Patent Law Clinic of The Plumeri Center for Small Business Empowerment at New York Law School
The Patent Law Clinic, directed by Professor Shahrokh (Seve) Falati ’08, is a yearlong clinic, providing 2L and 3L students an opportunity to work with entrepreneurs and practice patent law before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Experiential Learning at New York Law School
Experiential learning is an integral part of the NYLS education. Through our top-tier programs, we offer students the opportunity to turn theory into practice: Starting in their first year, students participate in counseling, interviewing, and negotiating exercises in their foundational Legal Practice course. During their upper-level years, students may select from a wide array of experiential learning courses to hone their lawyering skills. Together with a comprehensive legal education, these experiential offerings prepare our students for careers in advocacy.