Law Externship

UB Law School students can earn three course credits while getting practical experience in conducting intellectual property assessments or drafting and negotiating contracts. UB Tech Transfer supports the commercialization of new technologies emerging from UB's research enterprise and negotiating industry sponsored research agreements. 

There are generally two tracks: IP and Contracts. In the IP track, law externs learn to define inventive elements and use search tools to conduct prior art searches to identify potential patentability risks. In the Contracts track, externs help draft and negotiate contracts governing the commercialization of new technologies (Non Disclosure Agreements, Material Transfer Agreements, Options and Licenses) and Industry-Sponsored Research Agreements. 

Students are exposed to technologies across myriad fields, including therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics, energy, materials, advanced manufacturing and more.

Law students in their second or third year are eligible and must complete 135 work hours over the course of one semester. Students who have completed coursework in contracts, patent and/or intellectual property law are preferred. Exposure to entrepreneurial activity and a background in the sciences and technologies are helpful but not required.