2008-2009 Writing Competition Honoree:

Our First Annual Writing Competition was held in honor of Deborah A. Bailey-Wells. Deborah Bailey-Wells (1958-2007) was a president of SFIPLA from 1997-1998.  Deborah was also an alumnus of the University of San Francisco Law School and practiced patent and trademark law in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 20 years.  Deborah’s involvement and participation with SFIPLA helped shape the organization into what it is today.  In addition, one of Deborah's proudest accomplishments was starting up the Women's Intellectual Property Lawyers Association, a venue for young women lawyers to find strength and support in their chosen field. Therefore, in memory of her commitment to SFIPLA and her role as attorney, friend, and mentor to individuals throughout the San Francisco bay area legal community, the Board of the SFIPLA was proud to hold the first annual writing competition in her honor.

2008-2009 Writing Competition Winners:

Grand Prize - $2,500 and publication of submission in the Spring Edition of the USF Intellectual Property Law Bulletin 

Krista S. Jacobsen
J.D. Candidate, 2009
Santa Clara University School of Law
Article Title: Methods, Marking, and Messiness: Revisiting the Federal Circuit's Rule That Product Marking is not Required Where the Patent is Directed to a Method

First Prize - $1,500
Gustin R Guibert
J.D. Candidate, 2009
University of San Francisco School of Law
Article Title: The DMCA at Ten: Analyzing The Effects of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act from 1998-2008

Second Prize - $1,000
John McCauley
J.D. Candidate, 2010
Santa Clara University School of Law
Article Title: Patent Reform: Are Universities Taking Sides