Mitchell Hamline Advances as Finalists in National Patent Competition

Law school demonstrates exceptional student talent and alumni expertise in intellectual property law

Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:08pm

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A bold, abstract silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeating pattern of a patent application document rendered in bright, neon-like colors with heavy black outlines, creating a dynamic, pop art-inspired visual metaphor for the school's success in the national patent competition.Mitchell Hamline's patent law expertise shines through its impressive showing in the national patent drafting competition.Alexandria Today

Mitchell Hamline School of Law has been selected as one of five finalists in the National Patent Application Drafting Competition hosted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The school's team, coached by two Mitchell Hamline alumni, will advance to the national round of the competition, which challenges students to draft and defend a full patent application based on a hypothetical invention.

Why it matters

Mitchell Hamline's strong showing in the competition highlights the strength of the school's intellectual property law programs, which offer students extensive opportunities to gain real-world experience in patent law through clinics, student organizations, and publications. The school's advancement to the national finals demonstrates the caliber of its IP curriculum and the talent of its students.

The details

More than 45 teams competed in the regional rounds of the National Patent Application Drafting Competition, with only five schools advancing to the national finals. The Mitchell Hamline team includes students Haley Beann, Scott Dombroski, Sam Fandel, and Justin Johnson, and was coached by two Mitchell Hamline alumni, Peter Heinonen '21 and Eric Phillips '21, who are both patent attorneys.

  • The regional rounds of the competition took place in March 2026.
  • The national round will be hosted on April 17, 2026 at the USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.

The players

Mitchell Hamline School of Law

An independent law school that is the region's largest law school and one of the largest in the nation, with over 1,000 students, more than 50 full-time faculty, and more than 23,000 alumni. The school offers a comprehensive IP law program, including more than 30 patent-related credits and opportunities for students to gain real-world experience.

United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

The federal agency that grants U.S. patents and registers trademarks. The USPTO hosts the National Patent Application Drafting Competition, which challenges students to draft and defend a full patent application.

Peter Heinonen

A Mitchell Hamline School of Law alumnus (class of 2021) and patent attorney at Shumaker & Sieffert. He coached the Mitchell Hamline team that advanced to the national finals of the competition.

Eric Phillips

A Mitchell Hamline School of Law alumnus (class of 2021) and patent attorney at Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner. He also coached the Mitchell Hamline team that advanced to the national finals of the competition.

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What they’re saying

“It has been wonderful to collaborate with the students and observe their understanding of patent law develop throughout the semester. It has also been rewarding to see them work together and gain confidence in their abilities. We are excited about the opportunity to showcase Mitchell Hamline's excellent IP programs at the national finals.”

— Eric Phillips, Patent Attorney, Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner

What’s next

The Mitchell Hamline team will compete in the national round of the National Patent Application Drafting Competition on April 17, 2026 at the USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.

The takeaway

Mitchell Hamline's strong performance in the National Patent Application Drafting Competition demonstrates the strength of the school's intellectual property law programs and the talent of its students. The school's advancement to the national finals highlights its commitment to providing students with real-world experience and preparing them for careers in patent law.