Patent law scholarship awarded to more ASU Law students than ever


November 7, 2023

A unique annual patent law scholarship has been awarded to an extraordinary number of ASU Law students.

The 2023–24 Lisa Foundation Advanced Patent Scholarship at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University was initially designed six years ago for one awardee. This year, the $2,500 scholarship and hands-on patent law experience with the award's namesake and donor, famed patent attorney Steve Lisa, went to four students. Lisa graduated from ASU Law with his Juris Doctor in 1984.  A man gestures with his hands while talking to a group of students. The 2023–24 Lisa Foundation Advanced Patent Scholarship at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University was named for famed patent attorney and donor Steve Lisa. Initially intended for one recipient, this year's scholarship went to four students. Photo courtesy ASU Law Download Full Image

The four recipients are third-year law students Bailey Hopkins, Sierra Murphy, Leah Dosal and Alex Egber.

Lisa said the scholarship came about to reward the school's top patent and intellectual property law scholars and allow them to further their education in the field. Over a dozen students have benefitted since its inception. 

"The purpose is to reward the very best students at the law school who are committed to a career in patent law but have exhausted the normal intellectual property law (IP) curriculum," he said. "A patent appeals course taught by experienced practitioners puts our graduates a few steps ahead of other graduates who have taken the normal IP courses. We hope it helps ASU's graduating IP students stand out as young associates at their new firms."

Portrait of ASU Law student Alex Egber.

Alex Egber. Courtesy photo

In addition to the financial reward, Lisa Foundation scholars work closely with select faculty members, including Lisa, in an advanced course to learn how to appeal to the U.S. Patent and Trade Office (USPTO). It's training that most attorneys in the IP field don't get until after graduation.

Lisa said four students were chosen this year due to the many outstanding applicants. They have all participated in the Lisa Foundation Patent Clinic and taken the intellectual property courses that ASU Law offers. 

"It's great to be in school with so many outstanding classmates interested in patent law," said Hopkins. "Having the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from each other enables all of us to excel."

Jon Kappes, associate teaching professor and director of the Lisa Foundation Patent Law Clinic, closely mentors many law students hoping to enter the field, including these scholarship awardees.

"I am thankful to Mr. Lisa’s consistent support of our students and programs, including through the patent clinic which he endowed, this advanced scholars program and through his mentorship, training and encouragement of our students more broadly,” he said. “I am equally proud of our students who are achieving exceedingly high levels of excellence both as patent students and as professionals entering the field."

Two women talk to each other onstage in front of an unseen audience.

Third-year law student Leah Dosal (right) moderates a discussion with U.S. Patent and Trade Office Director Kathi Vidal. Vidal visited ASU Law this spring, thanks to its thriving patent law program. Photo by Tabbs Mosier/ASU

Dosal had the honor of moderating a discussion with USPTO Director Kathi Vidal when she visited ASU this spring. Now, she's an Advanced Patent Scholar. 

"A legal career in patents is demanding and can be difficult to break into as a student, so this program sets ASU Law students apart from students at other schools," she said. "We have so many incredible intellectual property professors at our school who are top experts in their field and who make learning about patents fun and engaging. Our professors serve as a guiding light to students who are unsure of where they want to be after law school."

Portrait of ASU Law student Seirra Murphy.

Sierra Murphy. Courtesy photo

Patent and IP law combine legal issues with the study of science and emerging technologies. The unique and growing field offers those the chance to work creatively and solve problems for their clients, whether they're engineers, inventors or anyone with a great idea. 

"Patent law offers the opportunity to synthesize several of my favorite intellectual pursuits," said Egber. "I'll get to continue learning about state-of-the-art technologies, and at the same time, I'll get to flex my creative side by strategizing and litigating in a way that most effectively advocates for my clients."

With four students taking part in the advanced scholarship this year, the students will learn with and from each other. 

"The fact that multiple scholars were chosen is a testament to the strength of the IP program at ASU Law," said Murphy. "Even more so, knowing who the other three scholars are, it is a privilege to share this designation with them. Alex, Bailey and Leah are students I looked up to as a 1L, and I am happy to get to know them even better throughout this year."

Lisa said the opportunity to work directly with the next generation of skilled patent attorneys has also benefited him, calling their work together "fulfilling."

"Inventors today face a staggering uphill battle to protect their inventions," he said. "I am hopeful that our future IP and patent lawyers don't leave those inventors behind."

Lindsay Walker

Communications Manager, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law

ASU Online allows women to serve their country while building their future


November 7, 2023

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Sarah Trevino-Corley always knew she would join the military.

Her great-grandmother was part of the Navy's Women’s Reserve (WAVES), where her duties included being a radio operator. Portrait of ASU student Sarah Trevino-Corley wearing her Navy uniform. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Sarah Trevino-Corley. Courtesy photo Download Full Image

Her great-grandfather, a chief quartermaster in the U.S. Navy, was on the light cruiser USS Phoenix near the Admiral Clarey Bridge during the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. He recalled being on the bridge wing eating an apple when he saw the bombs being dropped from the sky. His ship, fortunately, was not hit.

Trevino-Corley's first duty station was a guided missile destroyer, the USS Wayne E. Meyer, based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

“It is very humbling to continue their legacy of service in the Navy,” she said. “Depending on what pier we were moored at, I could always see the USS Arizona memorial along with the markers of all the other ships on battleship row that day in 1941. I know they are both in heaven proudly watching me and protecting me while carrying on their legacy of service.” 

Trevino-Corley is one of the more than 231,000 women in the active-duty force, and more than 9,100 military-affiliated students enrolled in online programs at Arizona State University in fall 2023.

A desire to serve

Two people wearing eveningwear pose for a photo.

ASU Online student Sarah Trevino-Corley (left) and her wife, Olivia. Courtesy photo

At 23 years old, Trevino-Corley is an instructor at the Naval Academy. Holding that role at a young age has only helped her grow professionally, and she’s found the ability to mentor people gratifying.

“Being young myself, it’s surreal,” she said. “There are people here who are going to be future officers, who are the same age as me. I like to coach people in their lives and help them go down the right path.”

Still, she was in search of more — an opportunity to further develop herself as a person and leader, and to create a better life for herself and her family.

It was her dedication to serving others that led her to pursue a degree in criminology and criminal justice through ASU Online.

“As long as I can remember, I have been interested in how people think, act and respond differently from each other, causing some to break the law and irreparably change families and lives forever,” Trevino-Corley said. “I have always been passionate about standing up for others and bringing peace and justice to those who need it.”

ASU Online offered Trevino-Corley the flexibility to balance military duties and coursework. And as a service member, she was drawn to ASU’s military-friendly culture and abundance of resources at the Pat Tillman Veterans Center. 

“It feels very connected, and I appreciate the outreach they have for the military,” Trevino-Corley said. “I appreciated how ASU applies any applicable credits from our Joint Services Transcript towards our degree so our unique life experience counts towards our education.”

In good company

Portrait of ASU student Jacquelyn Kristen Craig wearing her military uniform.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacquelyn Kristen Craig. Courtesy photo

The connection to and support for military students is something former Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacquelyn Kristen Craig also appreciated, as well as the vast amount of degree options offered by ASU Online.

For years, Craig wanted to earn her master's degree but never found the right school or program until another military colleague mentioned ASU Online. 

“I love learning about other countries' issues, cultures and religions,” Craig said. “I always found my passion in government relations, but specifically, other nations and how their governments and militaries work.”

While enlisted, she found the online global security degree program, and it was everything she was looking for. 

“Shortly after I was accepted to start my master’s degree at ASU, I found out I was deploying,” Craig said. “I did most of my master’s degree while I was deployed in the Middle East, which was great because it was online. I was able to work on my degree program while deployed, and I think that was the best thing about it.”

Craig’s active service ended earlier this year and she has transitioned into her new normal with her husband and young daughter.

Using the skills from her military service and her ASU degree, she now works as an emergency management director in South Carolina. She is grateful for the GI Bill and has no regrets about returning to college to earn her degree.

Like Trevino-Corley, Craig wanted to augment her ability to succeed, inside or outside of the military, and knew furthering her education was the way she would be able to accomplish her goal.

“College, even online college, helped me find out who I was, where I wanted to be and where I wanted to go,” Craig said. “I was able to grow my confidence with schooling, and the best part of it all was it was free.”

Tailored coaching

ASU Online equips every student with a success coach and an advisor to support them and help them navigate roadblocks that may prevent them from succeeding through graduation. And since service members have the challenge of balancing their military duties, personal lives and coursework, military-focused success coaches are on hand to support military-affiliated students in tailoring an educational path centered on their unique background.

ASU student Jacquelyn Kristen Craig with her family.

ASU Online student Jacquelyn Kristen Craig (right) with her family. Courtesy photo

“I felt like everyone took care of me at ASU Online,” Craig said. “My advisor was really great. She helped me a lot with the classes that I needed to make sure I was on a good path to graduate when I wanted to because I was using my GI Bill.”

As someone who had to juggle it all, she recommends an online program to all her military friends, especially her military moms.

“ASU made the process easy,” she said. “I didn’t have to do anything. Veterans Affairs took care of the payments, and ASU took care of the classes I needed to take. I just had to show up.”

Inspiration and support has also come from friends and family.

“My biggest inspiration is my wife, Olivia,” Trevino-Corley said. “She has always supported me, been there for me, pushed me to be better and reminded me who I was when I needed it most. She is my best friend and my soulmate, and I’m thankful for her support, especially as a military spouse.”

And on the days when throwing in the towel feels like the only option, Craig tells others to keep going.

“You can and will do great things inside or outside of the military,” she said. “Broadening your education and learning more will only help you go further in life.”

From one military member to another, the advice is a shared sentiment.

“I would highly recommend to any veteran or current military member to pursue their degree,” Trevino-Corley said. “The military services have been and will always be there, but there will come a day when you separate or retire. It’s imperative you invest in yourself and set yourself up for success.”

Meenah Rincon

Public Relations Manager, ASU Online