The Intellectual Property program at Chicago-Kent College of Law has been recognized as one of the top 10 IP programs in the United States, ranking #9 in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 rankings of best graduate schools.
This achievement positions Chicago-Kent as the leading institution for intellectual property studies in Chicago, Illinois, and throughout the Midwest. The program improved from its previous #18 position in 2024, marking significant progress within a year.
Founded over 25 years ago, the Chicago-Kent IP program offers comprehensive resources and opportunities for its students. It is overseen by faculty members Graeme B. Dinwoodie, Sarah Fackrell, Greg Reilly, and Cathay Y. N. Smith. Students have the opportunity to earn a J.D. certificate in IP or an LL.M in International IP Law. The program also provides hands-on experience through the Chicago-Kent Patent Hub, where students assist real inventors, and students may contribute to the Chicago-Kent Journal of Intellectual Property. The program supports a student-run Chicago-Kent Intellectual Law Society, which organizes events annually.
Additionally, the Center for Empirical Studies of Intellectual Property serves as the research component of the program. As the nation's first academic center of its kind, the center explores issues related to innovation and creativity and hosts multiple events throughout the year, such as the annual Supreme Court Intellectual Property Review conference and the Chicago Intellectual Property Colloquium.