Tiffany Gehrke is an associate attorney at Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP. She secures and protects intellectual property rights on behalf of clients, focusing her practice on patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
Tiffany earned her J.D., with a Certificate in Trial Advocacy, from Loyola University Chicago Law School where she was on the Dean’s List, a two-time regional finalist and national quarter-finalist member of the Giles S. Rich Intellectual Property Moot Court team, an Intellectual Property Fellow, and a Chicago IP Colloquium Fellow. Tiffany was awarded Loyola’s Laura Terlizzi Scholarship, given to a female student intending to practice intellectual property law. She also served as a senior editor of the Annals of Health Law journal. She completed a B.S.E. in computer science engineering from The University of Michigan and is licensed to practice in the state of Illinois and before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
What would you tell prospective students about Loyola’s IP program?
Personally, I believe that Loyola’s strongest assets are its dedicated faculty and the broad variety of classes it offers.
Right out of the gate, Loyola offers a unique opportunity to study in depth intellectual property issues through the specialized first year writing course. Then, Loyola allows you to build on that experience by providing a second year specialized intellectual property advocacy course. Through those courses, you learn about “hot” intellectual property topics, and most importantly, you learn how to write about intellectual property issues. The courses are rigorous and time-consuming, but provide glimpses into future work as an attorney.
Each spring, through the Chicago IP Colloquium, Loyola students participate in academic discussions with legal scholars on cutting-edge intellectual property topics. The Colloquium enables professors, intellectual property attorneys and students to discuss current research and legal topics while building a strong knowledge base of the industry.
Loyola also offers many classes in intellectual property, from traditional introductory classes to advanced courses in patent litigation and specialized intellectual property legal research courses. One of the best IP classes I took at Loyola was a comparative seminar that explores patent law, policy, treaties, and access to health care throughout the world. We learned the “big-picture” impacts of patents in the U.S. and abroad.
Another major benefit of Loyola is its strong alumni base. As a student, I felt particularly grateful to the Chicago-based alumni involved with the moot court program. Numerous practicing attorneys give their time and energy to the program every year. In addition, Loyola hosts events throughout the year enabling students to meet and make connections with alumni practicing across all areas of law.
Did you have a favorite class in law school?
One of my favorite classes at Loyola was the Law & Gaming (182) course. Over the course of a summer we learned about the rules and regulations for casinos, horse tracks, Native American gaming, and internet gaming. We covered topics from local bingo regulations to the then-soon-to-be-awarded casino license in Illinois, and the societal impacts of gaming. The class was thought provoking and fun. Not to mention, it was complete with an in-depth tour of a local casino.
What is your favorite Loyola law school memory?
One of my favorite memories of Loyola was the Comparative Advocacy Program. For a few magical weeks in London, we explored the roots of our legal system and wandered through historic sites like the Middle Temple, Parliament, and the Royal Courts of Justice – not to mention the “spiritual” development sessions most nights (hint: it’s a liquid “spirit”). In addition, the London program gave me the opportunity to get to know the faculty and administration at Loyola and develop friendships that continue the “Loyola bond” long beyond graduation.
Originally posted on 12/12/13 on the Law School Admissions blog.