The Patent Law Clinic of The Plumeri Center for Small Business Empowerment at New York Law School (NYLS), directed by Professor Shahrokh (Seve) Falati ’08, assisted one of their clients, Alina Kuderska, obtain a U.S. patent. Originally hailing from Ukraine, Ms. Kuderska graduated with a bachelor’s degree in international finance and a specialist degree in international economic relations from the National Technical University of Ukraine. She later moved to the United States and, after settling in as an immigrant in a new country, she pivoted toward the fashion industry in New York City, graduating with a degree in fashion design from the Fashion Institute of Technology, and also studying at Parsons School of Design.
Upon completion of her studies, Ms. Kuderska worked for various fashion companies before launching her own fashion business called SPARKIES. Her keen interest in design coupled with her creative skills led her to create her fashion brand, which focuses on designing stylish, comfortable, and functional garments for people with special needs, including people with mobility impairments or those recovering from surgery or an accident. While at Parsons, part of her research on adaptive design prompted her first visits to nursing homes where she became aware of the problems mobility-impaired people face in finding comfortable and stylish garments to wear. She noticed similar problems through her hobby as a certified yoga instructor. Through her efforts to address these problems with her fashion brand, she created a series of commercially popular designs that enable mobility-challenged women to wear a special type of bra, which the NYLS Patent Law Clinic was able to help her patent.
Ms. Kuderska was accepted into the Patent Law Clinic in 2021, soon after she started SPARKIES. The clinic has been with her as her business has grown, providing intellectual property-related counseling with a focus on patents. With the recent success of her patent, she is excited to continue expanding her line of adaptive products. She even recently presented her adaptive brand at the Venice Film Festival for impact and sustainable fashion in Italy and at a United Nations event focusing on people with disabilities. SPARKIES is now one of the adaptive brands available at Walmart and Macy’s. Ms. Kuderska’s garments are also available online through her own fashion label.
Patent Law Clinic students Kathryn Sacca ’22, Natalia Woloszyn ’22, Courtney Schenck ’23, Timour Chamilov ’24, Evania Fotopoulos ’24, Nikhil Vasthare ’24, Colleen McGuiness ’25, Juliana Recchia ’26, and Rachel Zakharov ’26 worked with Professor Falati to secure Ms. Kuderska’s patent. Our clinic at New York Law School is proud to have successfully assisted Ms. Kuderska obtain a patent and to be part of her continuing journey as she grows her fashion startup brand.
Patent Law Clinic Client, Alina Kuderska
I want to express my extremely positive experience with Professor Falati and his team. My company specializes in adaptive apparel design for differently-abled individuals, including those with mobility and disability challenges. This led me to come up with my invention. With NYLS, we successfully navigated all stages of obtaining a patent, from the beginning to the end. I particularly appreciated how Professor Falati’s team adeptly handled communication with the patent office, making it clear and accessible for me to respond and provide necessary comments. I have no doubt that Professor Falati’s students are receiving the right guidance and will soon become great lawyers.
Patent Law Clinic Student, Colleen McGuiness ’25
It was a pleasure to work with Ms. Kuderska, learn about her incredible personal and professional background, and assist her overcome the barriers women-owned small businesses face when trying to obtain patents and grow their businesses. Thank you to my fellow patent law clinic students and to Professor Falati for making this experience one to remember and a highlight of my time at law school.
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.