Second-year students Josef Novacek and Katherine Colaianni from Catholic Law placed third in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) 2026 National Patent Application Drafting Competition Regional Round, according to a Mar. 13 announcement.
The competition brought together law schools from across the East Coast, challenging participants to demonstrate their skills in patent law. The event is designed to give law students practical experience in drafting patent applications and presenting before experienced judges.
Novacek and Colaianni were required to analyze a hypothetical product, conduct prior art searches, draft a comprehensive patent application, and present their work to a panel of USPTO judges. The process tested their ability to navigate complex legal issues related to intellectual property.
The opportunity allowed both students to gain valuable insights into the field of patent prosecution while developing their legal skills in a competitive environment. Their performance highlights the strength of Catholic Law’s program in preparing students for real-world legal challenges.
As interest in intellectual property law continues to grow, competitions like this provide important training for future attorneys.
