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ESD Awards Science and Technology Law Center Designation to Syracuse University's College of Law

Technology Commercialization Law Program’s Five-Year Designation Includes More than $1.7 Million in New York State Funding

Announcement Complements “Central NY Rising” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy



Empire State Development (ESD) today announced its Division of Science, Technology & Innovation (NYSTAR) has awarded a New York State Science and Technology Law Center (STLC) designation to Syracuse University’s College of Law. The Law Center will continue to support economic development across New York State by leveraging the experience and expertise of law faculty and students to help businesses determine prospects for the success of new and emerging technologies in the global marketplace.

ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “Our network of NYSTAR-supported centers is crucial to New York State’s innovation economy, providing assistance that helps companies transform concepts into realities. The Science and Technology Law Center continues to offer unparalleled research and legal solutions for a range of businesses and sectors, and I congratulate the College of Law’s faculty and students on their re-designation.”

First designated in 2004, the STLC continues engage faculty and students in promoting greater awareness and understanding of legal issues in commercialization, such as intellectual property protection; technology transfer; patents, copyrights, and trademarks; and licensing agreements. They also will advise other State-designated Centers for Advanced Technology, Centers of Excellence, Certified Business Incubators, Innovation Hot Spots, and regional Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers on technology-related legal issues.

The Law Center has expanded its services over the last five years to keep pace with the growth of the State’s technology start-ups. During the most recent designation, the STLC completed approximately 150 research projects at an average rate of 50 projects a year. The Law Center takes in clients from across New York State seeking the assistance of the STLC, Syracuse University’s extended Innovation Ecosystem, and other organizations dedicated to tech start-ups.

ESD will support the Law Center with nearly $1.7 million in funding over the course of the five-year designation. During its designation the Law Center has collected an extensive body of research, educational materials, consulting services, high-quality academic offerings, and conducted information forums – including conferences, webcasts, newsletters and guidebooks – to promote economic growth in the state by helping to transform research and technology into business. 

Syracuse University College of Law Dean Craig M. Boise said, “I am extremely pleased that NYSTAR has granted the College of Law the coveted designation as the only New York State Science and Technology Commercialization Law Center. NYSTAR’s action is an explicit recognition of our faculty’s strength in this area, as well as our students’ hard work and creativity. Coupled with the College of Law's Technology Commercialization Law Program, NYS STLC allows us to partner with industries across New York, to support economic development in the state, and to provide a law curriculum that is rich in hands-on, practical experience. Our innovative research and teaching in this area are, and will continue to be, attractive to prospective students interested in pursuing both traditional and non-traditional legal careers in the dynamic field of technology commercialization.”

Senator David J. Valesky said, “Congratulations to Syracuse University’s College of Law on this designation and on the recognition of its students’ and faculty’s outstanding assistance to companies that are bringing new technologies to market. I am pleased that the Law Center will continue to provide expert services that will help technology start-ups across the state be successful.”

Assemblyman William Magnarelli said, “I congratulate the Syracuse University College of Law’s Technology Commercialization Law program on being re-designated as the NYS Science and Technology Law Center. Since 2004, the STLC has been a leader in helping companies and entrepreneurs bring new ideas to market while educating future attorneys. The STLC has also been active in working with other NY educational institutions to provide these services statewide through the NYS Technology Commercialization Clinic Network. I look forward to working closely with Professor Rudnick and the staff of the SLTC to expand their programming and increase the number of companies they can serve going forward.”

Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney said, “By re-designating Syracuse University’s College of Law as the State’s Science and Technology Law Center, faculty and students there will continue to support innovation and business growth around Onondaga County and across the state. Congratulations to everyone at the College of Law, and thank you to Empire State Development for your continued support.”

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said, “This designation makes Syracuse even more fertile ground for entrepreneurs and start-up businesses. We thank ESD and the Governor for helping us take great ideas being born in Syracuse and grow them in to successful job-creating businesses.”

Accelerating Central NY Rising  

Today's announcement complements “Central NY Rising,” the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $4.7 billion in the region since 2012 to lay the groundwork for the plan – capitalizing on global market opportunities, strengthening entrepreneurship and creating an inclusive economy. Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like Syracuse, Oswego and Auburn as a destination to grow and invest in.

Now, the region is accelerating Central NY Rising with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. The State’s $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion – and the region’s plan, as submitted, projects up to 5,900 new jobs. More information is available here.

About Empire State Development

Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency (www.esd.ny.gov). The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of “I LOVE NEW YORK,” the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov  and www.esd.ny.gov.

 

 

Contact:

Adam Ostrowski | [email protected] | (518) 292-5148

ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313