Rutgers Law Intellectual Property Program Honors Student Achievement at Annual Ceremony

The Intellectual Property (IP) Law Clinic held its annual award ceremony on August 12 honoring outstanding students in two categories. Katie Mauro and Max Sedlak were co-winners of the Intellectual Property Law Award. Michael Giorgio, Katie Mauro, and Helen Morejon were co-winners of the Intellectual Property Law Clinic Award. 

“The Intellectual Property Faculty selected Katie Mauro and Max Sedlak to receive this year's IP Law Award due to these students' stellar performance across a broad range of IP courses,” said Sabrina Safrin, professor of Law and Arthur L. Dickson scholar. “Both Ms. Mauro and Mr. Sedlak took numerous IP courses and received top grades in all of them. We are confident that Ms. Mauro and Mr. Sedlak will be excellent attorneys in the IP field.” 

Mauro, who received both awards, had an especially heavy load while she was an evening student. She not only worked full-time as a computer programmer for a healthcare insurance company but also served as the co-president and vice president of the Evening Student Association, co-editor-in-chief of the Women’s Rights Law Reporter, and was a summer intern at the District of New Jersey for the Honorable Jamel K. Semper. The co-student speaker for the Newark campus Commencement intends to pursue a career in litigation.  

“I took patent law and pharmaceutical patent practice in the second semester of my 2LE year and quickly learned I had a strong interest in IP,” Mauro said. “One of my favorite things about IP law is that it is applicable to a wide variety of subject areas, from science and technology, to music, literature, and art. My experience in the IP Clinic reinforced IP’s interdisciplinary nature, taught me how to support clients and engage with the USPTO, and was one of my favorite experiences during law school.” 

During school, Sedlak served as a contracts teaching fellow, sat on Adjunct Professor Stanley Tso’s Patent Review Board, and spent his 3L year working part-time at Wilson Elser. After taking the bar exam, he and his girlfriend, Rachael Backus, also a Rutgers Law graduate, enjoyed a vacation in Punta Cana. He then turned his attention to renovating the home they purchased over the summer before beginning his full-time role at Wilson Elser. While his current practice does not focus on intellectual property, he hopes to transition into the firm’s IP group soon. 

The 2025 IP Law Clinic Award marked a unique milestone, as three students were recognized for their exceptional contributions and achievements. John Kettle, clinical professor of law, director of the Intellectual Property Law Clinic, and Judge John W. Bissell scholar, said the strength of the candidates made the selection process particularly challenging.  

“Their dedication to the practice of intellectual property law was evident throughout their clinical work,” said Professor Kettle. “They approached each assigned client matter with intellectual curiosity, unwavering commitment, and the highest level of professionalism. It is a distinct honor and privilege to recognize Helen Morejon, Katie Mauro, and Michael Giorgio as recipients of the Rutgers Law School Intellectual Property Law Clinic Award.” 

During his time at Rutgers Law, Giorgio served as a legal writing teaching assistant for Associate Clinic Professor of Law Emily Kline and was a member of the Rutgers Law Record. He has begun a clerkship with Judge Stuart A. Minkowitz, A.J.S.C. in the Morris/Sussex Vicinage. Giorgio said, “The IP Clinic gave me the chance to apply what I learned in the classroom to real-world matters. I am grateful for the experience and skills I will carry with me throughout my career." 

Morejon, who immigrated to the United States from Cuba at age 13, earned her Intellectual Property Law Certificate at Rutgers Law, and served as Managing Editor of the Rutgers Computer & Technology Law Journal. She was also selected as a scholar of the Hispanic National Bar Association Intellectual Property Law Institute. Beyond her intellectual property achievements, Morejon completed more than 200 hours of pro bono service supporting immigrant communities, earning Rutgers Law School's Dean's Pro Bono Publico Award for Exceptional Service, with Distinction.  

“The Rutgers IP Law Clinic was a defining part of my law school experience,” Morejon said. “It strengthened my passion for intellectual property and gave me the confidence to pursue a career in the field. I am grateful to Professor Kettle and Professor Tso for their unconditional mentorship.” 

Morejon now serves as a law clerk to the Honorable Peter J. Baker at the Hudson County Superior Court. 

Vice Dean Brandon Paradise congratulated the award recipients and reflected on their accomplishments. 

“These recognitions are a fitting acknowledgement of your hard work, excellence and rigor. Your talent, commitment, and promise that you’ve demonstrated at Rutgers Law School is a testament to all the way stand for, we’re proud of you, and we wish continued success in all that lies ahead.”  

The event was attended by Professor John Kettle, Vice Dean Brandon Paradise, Adjunct Professor Stan Tso’06, and previous alumni IP Law Clinic Award winners, Caroline Kim’25​​​​​​ and Francis G. Tiongson’24.