Suffolk Law Among 18 Schools with A+ Ranking in Intellectual Property
Suffolk Law has been recognized among the nation’s elite intellectual property programs, receiving an A+ grade in PreLaw Magazine’s “Leaders in Intellectual Property” spring 2025 rankings guide. The accolade places Suffolk Law among the top 18 IP programs in the country.
Excellence in teaching and practice
Suffolk Law offers students an extensive range of IP courses, with six full-time faculty members specializing in IP and anchoring a comprehensive IP Concentration. PreLaw Magazine highlighted the contributions of Suffolk Law IP Professor Darrell Mottley and the innovative work happening in the IP & Entrepreneurship Clinic under his leadership.
One element distinguishing the school from its peers is specialized IP instruction. Suffolk remains among very few law schools nationwide teaching the specialized skills needed to practice trademark law before the US Patent and Trademark Office. This expertise extends to advanced courses covering critical areas such as licensing, post-grant review, claim drafting, and design patents—preparing our students for the complexities of modern IP practice.
Cutting-edge legal work in a changing landscape
The IP Program’s commitment to practical excellence manifests in the work our students undertake. Recently highlighted in PreLaw’s coverage, clinical students advised on copyright protection for an award-winning AI-assisted graphic novel. This complex case required distinguishing between human creative inputs and AI-generated elements to navigate emerging copyright regulations—the kind of forward-thinking legal challenges that prepare Suffolk students for leadership in the rapidly evolving IP field.
Industry impact in Boston’s technology hub
The strength of the IP Program translates directly to professional success in one of the nation’s premier centers for patent law and technological innovation. A 2020 survey revealed that 30% of the IP partners in Greater Boston are Suffolk Law graduates—a testament to the program’s influence in shaping the region’s legal landscape.
This local prominence extends nationally, with Suffolk alumni securing IP counsel positions at hundreds of recognized companies, including Pfizer, Novartis, Google, Reebok, Dell, and IBM.
Attracting top talent
The program’s reputation helps attract exceptional students with advanced scientific backgrounds, ensuring Suffolk remains at the forefront of IP law. This year’s incoming class includes five PhDs, continuing a trend over many years of welcoming STEM experts, from chemists to nuclear engineers.
Many of these talented individuals have their legal education funded by law firms, allowing them to work as IP technical specialists during the day while attending Suffolk’s evening program—a model that has successfully launched countless careers in IP law.
Fostering innovation and professional connections
Suffolk Law’s commitment to the IP community extends beyond the classroom through events like the school’s annual IP & Innovation Conference, which brings together IP leaders from across the industry. Past speakers have included executives from IBM, Microsoft, and Dell. The event, launched by Mark Sullivan, JD ’79, former chief legal officer of the Bose Corporation, exemplifies how Suffolk alumni continue to shape the future of IP law.