SU’s College of Law and distinguished guests inaugurate the NYSTAR Center

SU’s College of Law and distinguished guests inaugurate the NYSTAR CenterDecember 15, 2004Amy Schmitzaemehrin@syr.edu

The New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research (NYSTAR) today announced that Syracuse University’s College of Law will serve as home to the New York State Science and Technology Law Center (NYS STLC) for the next three years. The announcement took place at a ribbon cutting ceremony in SU’s MacNaughton Hall. Participants included SU Chancellor Nancy Cantor; Dr. Russell Bessette, executive director of NYSTAR; Rich Newman from Welch Allyn; and Theodore Hagelin, SU professor of law and NYS STLC director.

The NYS STLC will provide legal education, research, information and support services to the more than 30 research centers supported by New York State as they develop and market new technologies and seek to compete in the high-tech marketplace.

“I am so pleased that the College of Law has been asked to give all-important legal support to so many state research centers as they bring new technologies to market,” says Cantor. “This is another step forward in a superb collaboration, a win-win opportunity for everyone.”

Says Bessette, “With extensive staffing qualifications and credentials, SU’s College of Law made Governor Pataki’s designation of the NYS STLC an easy choice to make. The NYS STLC will contribute to the State’s economic development and will help foster the creation of new jobs and companies.”

The NYS STLC builds upon a program first established at the College of Law in 1990 to prepare students for the fields of intellectual property management and technology commercialization. Students participate in research internships offered through the Technology Commercialization Research Center, teaming up to perform technical, market and legal analyses of new technologies on behalf of client organizations that include universities, small and large companies, and government laboratories.

“We thank NYSTAR for this opportunity and we are excited to be a part of the State’s initiative to enhance economic development and to stimulate new job growth for its people,” says Hannah Arterian, dean of SU’s College of Law.

More than 200 students have graduated from the program and are now practicing in a variety of technology-related positions in law firms, corporations, universities and government agencies in New York, the United States and abroad.

“We are proud to have received this prestigious designation and humbled by the responsibilities it entails,” Hagelin says. “We look forward to the opportunity to marshal the considerable resources of the College of Law to promote technology commercialization and economic development in New York State.”

The NYS STLC management team is composed of academic, professional and corporate partners from law, business and technical disciplines. Plans for the NYS STLC include statewide and regional conferences, executive education programs, technology and market assessment reports, legal research and analysis, consulting services to research center directors and technology entrepreneurs, a technology law web page and a monthly current events newsletter. The NYSTAR grant is for more than $1 million over the next three years.

“I am proud of the role I played in advocating for this NYSTAR Center to be located at SU’s College of Law,” says State Sen. John A. DeFrancisco. “This center will not only prepare our young people for a rewarding career in the field of law, but it will assist area business in making their technologies a reality. It is a win-win situation for the students, local businesses and our Central New York economy.”

“It is an honor to welcome the New York State Science and Technology Law Center to our community,” says Assemblyman William Magnarelli. “I am proud that the State was able to provide NYSTAR funding for this project at SU and look forward to the economic opportunities it will bring to Central New York.”

Says State Sen. Nancy Larraine Hoffmann, “Syracuse University continues to be in the forefront of technology development. Protection of intellectual property rights is an important part of bringing new technology from research to market. This new NYSTAR center will not only benefit the reputation of SU, but will also be an important resource for the Central New York economy.”

Assemblywoman Joan Christensen adds, “This announcement represents a significant advancement for Syracuse University and the entire community. The collaboration between NYSTAR and SU’s College of Law will compliment our efforts to bring new industry to Central New York and support modern technology in manufacturing, research and education. SU’s College of Law has always been an integral part of the community, and its new role with NYSTAR will help the entire region meet our ever-growing economic development goals.”