Quotes from Previous LLM IP Students

Carol Godby

I've been practising law in London Ontario since 1993 where my focus has been in representing First Nations and First Nations organizations on a variety of matters including Aboriginal and Treaty rights, access to resources, and governance issues.  I had been looking to obtain my LLM in an area that would help me to improve and expand my current practice.  After conducting considerable research into various programs at a number of institutions,  I had an opportunity to meet with members of the faculty and administration at Wash U's Law School who introduced me to the IP LLM program.  It soon became apparent to me that this program was a perfect fit.  

There is an increasingly important nexus between intellectual property rights and the protection of Aboriginal cultural and intellectual property which to date has not recieved a great deal of attention among First Nations.   The IP LLM program has assisted in helping me indentify  IP related issues for clients, assess risks and explore potential solutions.  Further, the IP Legal and Business Formation Clinic at Wash U was able to lend assistance to one of my existing clients to facilitate the development of a Traditional Knowledge Cooperative, which could conceivably have a global reach.  I continue to research and advise First Nations on how they might use IP tools, such as certification marks to protect their intellectual property and add value to goods which are "authentic."  Overall, the experience has been invaluable to me both personally and professionally and I am grateful for the opportunity to have completed my course of study here under the guidance of the superb faculty and administration.