The Joseph M. Barich
Excellence In Patent Law Award

The Joseph M. Barich Excellence In Patent Law Award is awarded annually to a 3L at the University of Illinois College of Law who has demonstrated interest and accomplishment in Patent Law, especially in Patent Prosecution.  The winner receives $500.  Finalists may also be named.


The 16th Annual Joseph M. Barich Excellence In Patent Law Award will be awarded in 2023.  The application for the 2023 Barich Award will be available here approximately April 1, 2023.
Congratulations to the 2022 Winner of the
Barich Patent Award! (15th Annual)
Daniel Jang
Congratulations to the 2021 Winner of the
Barich Patent Award!
Roberto Arbulu
Congratulations to the 2020 Winner of the
Barich Patent Award!
Emily Brown
Congratulations also to the 2020 Barich Award
Finalists Daniel McGovern and Rachit Parikh
Congratulations to the 2019 Winner of the
Barich Patent Award!
Bilal Adra

Congratulations to the 2018 Winner of the
Barich Patent Award!
Christopher Monaco

Congratulations also to the 2018 Barich Award
Finalist Adam Janes
Congratulations to the 2017 Winner of the
Barich Patent Award!
Harrison Rose

Congratulations to the 2016 Winner of the
Barich Patent Award!
Ismail Cem Kuru

Congratulations to the 2015 Winners of the
Barich Patent Award!
Donald Bunton and Brett Scott

Congratulations also to the 2015 Barich Award
Finalist Prachi Mehta
Congratulations to the 2014 Winner of the
Barich Patent Award!
Jae Kim
Congratulations also to the 2014 Barich Award Finalists:
  • Paul VanderVelde
  • Jeremy Roux
Congratulations to the 2013 Winner of the
Barich Patent Award!
Grant Gildehaus
Congratulations also to the 2013 Barich Award Finalists:
  • Samuel Means
  • Andrew Nevill
  • Michael Boyea
Congratulations to the 2012 Winner of the
Barich Patent Award!
Scott Cromar
Congratulations also to the 2012 Barich Award Finalists:
  • Kyle Beckemeyer
  • Morgan Coates
  • David Dremann
  • Angela Hsieh 
Congratulations to the 2011 Winner of the
Barich Patent Award!
Nicole Janovick
Congratulations to Nicole as she embarks on a successful career in patent law.

Congratulations also to the 2011 Barich Award Finalists:
  • Jonathan Hughley
  • Siho You
Congratulations to the 2010 Winner of the
Barich Patent Award!
Kevin Cukierski
Kevin will be joining the Chicago office of K&L Gates LLP—a general practice law firm with a strong IP background —as a member of its intellectual property practice group.  Kevin will be focusing on both patent litigation and patent prosecution.

Congratulations also to the 2010 Barich Award Finalists:
  • Ann Palma
  • James Lovsin
  • Justin Cook
  • Robert "Mike" Azzi
  • Katherine Hartnett
  • Devon Curtis
Congratulations to the 2009 Winner of the
Barich Patent Award!
Matt Rudd
Matt will be joining McCracken & Frank - an Intellectual Property law firm in Chicago.  Matt will be focusing on patent prosecution and the management of IP rights.

Congratulations also to the 2009 Barich Award Finalists:
  • Christopher Anderson
  • Helena Drake
  • Steven Gutke
Congratulations to the 2008 Winner of the
Barich Patent Award!
Mike Turner
Mike R. Turner will be joining Neal Gerber Eisenberg’s Intellectual Property Practice Group. Mike’s work spans all aspects of acquiring, managing and enforcing intellectual property, with a majority of his work directed to trademarks and patents of an electrical, mechanical or business process nature.