Renowned McCarthy Institute, led by intellectual property expert David Franklyn, becomes part of ASU Law


April 28, 2021

The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University announces the addition of the McCarthy Institute and Executive Director David Franklyn to the college's Intellectual Property Law Program.

The McCarthy Institute brings with it a growing community of professionals focused on scholarship and research in the areas of trademark law, branding and consumer perception. Franklyn, who is considered among the nation’s leading intellectual property and technology law experts, will direct the institute in addition to his newly appointed position as ASU Law distinguished professor of practice. Photo of McCarthy Institute Executive Director David Franklyn at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at ASU The McCarthy Institute and Executive Director David Franklyn are joining ASU Law's Intellectual Property Law Program. Franklyn will direct the institute in addition to his newly appointed position as ASU Law distinguished professor of practice. Download Full Image

“David and the McCarthy Institute will transform and elevate our IP Law Program and add strength to our fantastic Center for Law, Science and Innovation,” ASU Law Dean Douglas Sylvester said. “We are thrilled to welcome David and look forward to his leadership. Under David’s leadership, the McCarthy Institute has engaged the best scholars in the world and, with the already substantial assets here at ASU Law in the field, we are confident ASU Law will quickly become one of the leading centers for thought and engagement in intellectual property in the country.”

The McCarthy Institute at ASU Law will partner with other ASU units including the W. P. Carey School of Business and the School for the Future of Innovation in Society to expand student engagement with IP across disciplines.

“The McCarthy Institute will offer ASU Law students the opportunity to participate in a fellowship program and collaborate with faculty in producing scholarship and research,” Franklyn said. “Opportunities such as co-authoring articles with ASU professors and affiliate scholars and gaining internships and externships with notable technology companies will position ASU Law students to stand out with prospective employers. Whether they want to work in a big law firm, in-house counsel at a large corporation, or with a startup, the institute will work closely with students to help them become innovative lawyers.”

The addition of the McCarthy Institute to ASU Law represents a significant milestone in the ongoing expansion of the college's Intellectual Property Law Program. The institute will offer innovative programs within and outside of the law school by bringing together practicing attorneys from firms, in-house counsel, regulators and scholars to inspire dialogue and research through events, conferences, academic roundtables and more.

The McCarthy Institute has previously hosted events at Amazon and Microsoft in the Seattle area, Google in Silicon Valley, Fox in Los Angeles, Time Warner in New York and at the European Union Intellectual Property Office in Alicante, Spain. The institute’s ability to connect ASU Law students to this extensive network of leading tech companies across the world will not only bolster student career opportunities in IP but advance ASU Law’s IP and technology initiatives as a whole.

photo of Tyson Winarski, director of the Intellectual Property Law Program at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at ASU

Tyson Winarski is the director of ASU Law’s Intellectual Property Law Program. 

“ASU Law is demonstrably one of the fastest-moving law schools in the U.S.,” Franklyn said. “Its consistent rise in the rankings is indicative of the entrepreneurial spirit and planning of Dean Sylvester and the leadership team to grow its faculty expertise and increase the innovative programs it offers. My primary goal in joining ASU Law is to give students real opportunities to enhance their creativity and knowledge in IP by growing the McCarthy Institute to become No. 1 in trademarks, branding, marketing and the study of consumer perceptions, ultimately helping students launch meaningful careers.”

Franklyn formerly led the McCarthy Institute at the University of San Francisco since 2000 and will begin teaching courses at ASU Law in fall 2021.

“Building the future of the McCarthy Institute on the foundation of ASU Law creates boundless potential for intellectual property law scholarship and academic research at ASU,” added Tyson Winarski, ASU Law’s Intellectual Property Law Program director. “David is a truly outstanding addition to our faculty. He inspires and challenges students in the classroom and drives thinking on trademark issues through the institute's nationally renowned trademark conferences. ASU Law is deeply proud to carry on the legacy of Professor Tom McCarthy's trademark scholarship by welcoming David and the institute to the ASU team.”

Julie Tenney

Director of Communications, Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law

ASU grad strives to fight for issues that impact Indigenous communities


April 28, 2021

Editor's note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2021 graduates.

In her second year at Arizona State University, Angel Nosie became more aware of social justice issues through her justice studies courses. As a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe of the Hagosteele Clan, she grew increasingly interested in studying the injustices Native American communities face. This spring, Angel Nosie will graduate from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences with degrees in justice studies and American Indian studies. Download Full Image

“Growing up off the reservation in the city, I didn’t know about the needs of Indigenous communities,” she said. “I learned how health care on the reservation needs to be improved and that there are things that limit Indigenous people that could help promote the lifespan of their communities. I learned about the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women. This made me realize that I want to be a voice for Indigenous people and fight for Indigenous social justice issues.”

This spring, Nosie will graduate from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences with degrees in justice studies and American Indian studies. 

While at ASU she participated in the Pre-Law Society and served as the vice president of Alpha Pi Omega, the first Native American sorority at ASU. She also worked with the Office of American Indian Initiatives as a student panel speaker for the Tribal Nations Tour, where she shared her personal experiences in higher education with Native American high school students across Arizona to encourage them on a path to college.

“I would say one of my most impactful moments at ASU was when we went to the San Carlos Apache Reservation, which is my reservation, and we held a college readiness event there,” she said. “I told them my Native Sun Devil story and shared my experiences to show them that it's possible for anyone to get through college.”

For her outstanding scholastic achievements, Nosie was honored as the American Indian Studies spring 2021 Dean’s Medalist. She is also a Moeur Award recipient. 

After graduation, she plans on participating in the Pipeline to Law Initiative, where she will be equipped with the tools to apply to law school.

Nosie shared more about her ASU journey.

Question: Why did you choose ASU?

Answer: I chose ASU because it was like home to me. My mother went to ASU, and I grew up going to ASU football games. I couldn't see myself going anywhere else outside of ASU.

Q: What’s something you learned while at The College — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?

A: I've never really been much of a volunteer person. I joined Alpha Pi Omega and we had to do volunteer hours every month. We volunteered at Midwest Food Bank and just learning about what we're doing and how impactful it is and how needed this kind of work really inspired me to continue doing volunteer work. …  Stepping into that position and trying to help people was new to me and aided in my career path toward trying to help people.

Q: Did you experience any obstacles along your way? If yes, how did you overcome them?

A: The challenge for me was to step outside of my comfort zone and to engage myself in things that I wouldn't normally do. My freshman year I was focused only on academics and of course that's great, but there's also the social connection that I want for myself. When I finally broke out of my shell and began attending events and meetings, joining clubs and stuff like that, I learned about a lot of things and made great connections.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?

A: I would tell them that anything is possible if you just have the right mindset. You have to have a strong work ethic, great perseverance and no excuses. Just do your best to persevere through college, because it is possible. I am an example of that. Stay focused and complete your coursework. Reach out to your academic adviser to talk about your major and what you need to do to set yourself up for success. Build a great schedule for yourself so that each semester is achievable.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: I am trying to get into law school so I can become an Indian law lawyer, that's my main goal. I really love ASU so I'm definitely going to go with Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law. But before I get there I need to do a lot of prepping like taking the LSAT and preparing my application. 

Emily Balli

Manager of marketing and communications, New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences