Detroit Mercy Law All-Women Team Places Third in National and First in Regional USPTO Patent Competition

An all-woman team of Detroit Mercy Law students placed third in the 2023 National Patent Application Drafting Competition hosted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) after winning the regional competition. Across the nation, 55 teams competed in regional rounds for an invitation to advance to the national competition in Washington, D.C. to present in front of a board of USPTO patent examiners.

Detroit Mercy Law’s team included Yasmeen Moradshahi, 3L, Megz Kubis '23, Caley McCarthy, 3L, and Michelle Hudson, 3L. Shannon Smith '13 coached the team. Mark Adamaszek '23 helped the team with their patent application.

“Preparing for the national competition was surreal,” said Moradshahi. “We didn’t go into the regional competition expecting to win, so I didn’t even look at the process like a competition. Once we started to prepare for nationals, the nerves increased. As overwhelming as it was at times, it was also enjoyable learning different aspects of the patent writing process.”

“Being an all-woman team competing in a very male-dominated industry was empowering. I think it brought us, as a team, closer together,” said Moradshahi. “It was an honor to represent Detroit Mercy Law as an all-woman team and set an example for other women who want to be a part of this industry.”

The competition introduces students to patent law and develops their patent application drafting, amending, and prosecution skills. “In addition to gaining practical experience they will use in their future careers, the students had the opportunity to interact with leaders in the intellectual property community,” said Damian Porcari '84, Director of the Elijah J. McCoy Midwest Regional USPTO, who presented the Detroit Mercy Law team with the news that they had won the regional round which was hosted at the USPTO office in Detroit.

“At the national finals, the students competed against the best law schools in the country and held their own,” commented Porcari. “They could work anywhere. I’ve encouraged them to coach future teams so that our region continues to have great attorneys like them.”