The Intellectual Property (IP) Law Clinic held its annual award ceremony on Friday, August 1, recognizing two graduating students for their outstanding work in IP law: Caroline Kim ‘25 and Jing Kong ‘25. Francis G. Tiongson ’24, a recipient of last year’s award, presented the honors to Kim and Kong. The ceremony and luncheon celebrated Kim and Kong’s contributions to the clinic and their academic achievements in the field of intellectual property law.
In addition to their clinic work, they both immersed themselves in the law school experience and were heavily involved in extracurricular activities. Earlier this year, Kim and Kong shined at the Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) first-ever Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Moot Court Competition. They earned the Best Oral Argument (Patent Owner) Award and finished second overall.
During the luncheon, Kim and Kong, who had just completed their bar exams the day before, shared their experiences and discussed how they envisioned spending their summer before starting as full-time attorneys. After the luncheon, Kim left for Japan and went to South Korea for relaxation before she begins her work at Perkins Coie, LLP on the patent litigation team. Kong will continue her job as a patent agent at Hoxie & Associates, LLC after a cruise trip up north to Saint John with her family. She will be joining the Life Sciences Patent Litigation team at O’Melveny & Myers, LLP as an Associate in October.
Both Kim and Kong expressed their gratitude for the clinic citing that receiving “practical hands-on experience” and “real-world lawyering” is what made their time at Rutgers Law rewarding.
Kim stated, “The Clinic really shaped me into who I am today. I am especially grateful to Professor Kettle for his patience as I learned both the subject matter and client skills, while developing greater attention to detail. It was amazing seeing my name in the trademark applications.”
Kong stated that “while most law school courses focus on teaching legal theory, they often fall short in preparing students for the realities of legal practice. Participating in the clinic bridged that gap for me. This experience closely mirrored working in a law firm, giving me a strong foundation for a smoother transition into practice after graduation.”
The event was attended by Director of the IP Law Clinic Professor John Kettle, Associate Dean for Clinical Education (Newark) and Director of the Child Advocacy Clinic Professor Randi Mandelbaum, and Adjunct Professor Stan Tso ‘06.
Professor Kettle recognized their exceptional dedication to IP law, stating: “Their passion for intellectual property was evident in every aspect of their clinical work. They consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to the client matters assigned to them, approaching each assignment with both intellectual curiosity and a deep sense of professionalism. It is indeed an honor to recognize Caroline and Jing with the IP Law Clinic Award.”
Although Dean Johanna Bond was unable to be present for the ceremony, she sent a note of congratulations: “Your recognition by the IP Clinic is a testament to the dedication, skill, and professionalism you brought to your work. It’s a well-earned honor, and a reflection of the impact you’ve made through your advocacy.”
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