LAIPLA Diversity Fellowship Program strengthens the IP community.
Year Fellowship Created
Stipend For Law Student
Apply for the 2024 Diversity Fellowship
About the LAIPLA Diversity Fellowship
LAIPLA created the Diversity Fellowship in 2014 to increase diversity in the Intellectual Property (“IP”) bar. Although the lack of diversity generally in the legal field has been well documented, the problem of underrepresentation in the IP bar has been discussed less frequently despite evidence suggesting that it is even more pronounced. One survey showed that minorities only comprised 9.1% of the IP bar, while women were 16.2% of the IP bar.
LAIPLA also formed the Diversity Fellowship to give law students practical skills and experience working as in-house counsel. As the legal profession has changed, more employers have sought law school graduates with hands-on, real-world skills. In turn, law students are seeking experiences that help them better understand the needs of corporate clients.
One way the Diversity Fellowship promotes inclusion and diversity in the IP bar is by equipping law students with the practical skills needed to better succeed as an attorney. The LAIPLA Diversity Fellowship provides a $7,500 stipend for a law student to work up to 10 weeks in an in-house legal department. The Fellowship is open to first and second year law students at an ABA or California accredited law school, who have an interest in practicing IP law in Los Angeles, and identify with an underrepresented group.
2023 Fellowship Recipient: Ashley Kim
2022 Fellowship Recipient: Joyce Jeong
2021 Fellowship Recipient: Danielle Ocampo
2019 Fellowship Recipients: Skylar Williams & Jean Hyun
2018 Fellowship Recipients: Chloe Stepney & Joe Barrientos
2017 Fellowship Recipient: Tim Tran
2016 Fellowship Recipients: Cathy Pham & Jennifer Tsai
2015 Fellowship Recipient: Daniel Latimer
2024 Diversity Fellows: Aliyah Kazemaini and Catherine Hilgen
LAIPLA congratulates this year’s 2024 LAIPLA Diversity Fellows, Aliyah Kazemaini and Catherine Hilgren! LAIPLA wishes to especially thank Tubi for hosting Aliyah and American Honda for hosting Catherine. LAIPLA also wishes to specifically recognize and thank this year’s sponsors who graciously made this Fellowship possible by providing the generous stipend: Morrison & Foerster LLP and Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP.
This year’s Diversity Outreach Committee included Jennifer So, Chris Jackson, Nick Fung, James Abe, Tony Peluso, Paul Lee, Chloe Stepney, Robert Taylor, Hillary Bunsow, Art Hasan, and Daniel Latimer.
Aliyah Kazemaini
Aliyah Kazemaini is a first-generation Iranian-American currently studying at UCLA School of Law. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with an emphasis on International Relations and a minor in Iranian Studies from UCLA. She has consistently demonstrated her commitment to equity and representation. Currently, she serves as the President of the National Iranian American Law Student Association chapter of the Iranian American Bar Association.
Before law school, Aliyah founded the South West Asian North African (SWANA) Caucus at UC San Diego, addressing the need to amplify underrepresented voices. She also led research on the campus climate for Iranian-American students and played a pivotal role in establishing an Asian Pacific Islander Middle Eastern Desi American Resource Center. Her leadership extended to various Equity, Diversity, and Intersectionality divisions at UC San Diego’s Associated Student Council, UCLA’s Undergraduate Students Association Council, UCLA’s Office of the President’s Student Advisory Board, and UCLA’s Panhellenic Council.
Looking ahead, Aliyah is committed to leveraging her legal education and experiences to advocate for equitable access to intellectual property rights and foster a more inclusive environment for creators and entrepreneurs from all backgrounds.
Catherine Hilgen
Catherine Hilgen is a law student at the University of California, Irvine School of Law and LAIPLA student member.
Catherine earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience from UCLA in 2020. She values the interdisciplinary approach of intellectual property law and the everchanging and complex nature of the field.
Catherine serves on the board of UCI’s First Generation Program and counsels first-generation and low-income students. She believes in the power of mentorship and is dedicated to increasing diversity in the legal field. Catherine is a proud recipient of the Pro Bono Achievement Award and is eager to continue her commitment to pro bono. Catherine is passionate about increasing accessibility to intellectual property protection and advocating for creators who lack the resources or knowledge to advocate for themselves. She holds creativity and innovation in high regard and believes it is crucial to protect creators and their intellectual property.