Pattishall Medal for Teaching Excellence

Beverly W. Pattishall (1916–2002) was a trial lawyer widely recognized as dean of the American trademark bar. Also a leader of the international trademark bar, he was a U.S. Government delegate to a number of diplomatic conferences. A Senior Partner of Pattishall, McAuliffe, Newbury, Hilliard & Geraldson LLP, he helped found the John Marshall Law School IP-LLM program and in 1966 became an adjunct professor of Trademark, Trade Identity and Unfair Practices Law at Northwestern University School of Law.

A prolific authority in his field, he co-authored the first law school course book devoted entirely to trademark and unfair competition law and the Trademarks and Unfair Competition Deskbook, which have become essential reference books for law students and those practicing IP law.

The Pattishall Medal is open to business, marketing, technical, and legal teaching professionals at the university and graduate school levels throughout the world. To qualify as a “teaching professional,” an individual must:

• Currently serve, or have served within the last three years as a full-time, part-time, or adjunct professor or lecturer at a college, university graduate school, or law school
• Be engaged in teaching a course or program broadly related to trademark or trade identity subjects
• Be nominated by one or more of either their peers or current/former students. Peers include faculty (professors, lecturers, etc.) or academic administrators (heads of schools/deans) currently employed at the same academic institution as the nominee, or who know the nominee through professional association. Students include both current and former students who believe that the nominee influenced their lives and careers in a positive and profound way.

We present the Medal every four years to the university or graduate school academic nominated by his/her peers or students who best exemplifies the qualities of excellence and innovation in teaching subjects related to trademarks and trade identity as demonstrated through:

• Professional and / or academic recognition
• Peer and student evaluation / nomination
• Innovation in methodology and commitment to education in the field of trademarks and trade identity

The winner of the Pattishall Medal will receive:

• A cash prize of US $2,500.
• Complementary registration to the 2024 Leadership Meeting in New Orleans, where the award will be presented.
• Reimbursement of up to US $500 for travel to the event.