George Washington University Law School is accepting applications for its Frank H. Marks Intellectual Property Law Fellow position for the upcoming academic year. The fellowship, which carries the title of Visiting Associate Professor of Law, is one of the better-known entry points into IP legal academia.
I’ve known most of the Marks Fellows over the years, and the position offers a supportive IP faculty combined with excellent students who are genuinely interested in intellectual property and policy. GW Law’s location in Washington, D.C. puts you in close proximity to the USPTO, the Federal Circuit, and the broader IP policy community. If you’re thinking about a move into legal academia with an IP focus, this is one of the key launching pads available. The downside is the salary: $75k. But, that does help drive home a reality that most law professor salaries are less than the starting wage of their graduating students.
The position involves teaching one course per academic year, assisting with administration of GW Law’s IP Program, and pursuing scholarly research. Candidates need a J.D. (or equivalent international degree or U.S. LL.M.), a strong academic record, and a defined research project in intellectual property law.
Applications should be submitted by email to [email protected] and must include a resume, references, law school transcript, writing sample, and scholarly proposal. Review of applications begins April 24, 2026. Full details are available at the GW Law fellowship page and on the Patently-O Job Board.
— Dennis
