ChIPs Awards Three Scholarships for 2026
The recipients will receive $15,000 for tuition assistance. Each of these awardees exemplifies what it means to be a
Press Release Disclaimer: This is a press release distributed through the XPR Media network. It has not been independently verified by our newsroom.
The recipients will receive $15,000 for tuition assistance.
SAN FRANCISCO , CA, UNITED STATES, August 31, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — ChIPs has awarded its annual scholarship to three IP scholars. Jennifer Boles, Sophia Kim and Sofia MakePeace will each receive $15,000 toward tuition assistance for each student.
The ChIPs scholarship program was created in 2018 with a generous contribution from Morrison & Foerster to honor Rachel Krevans, a renowned intellectual property litigator from the firm. The ChIPs Scholarship was established to encourage women to pursue a career in intellectual property law. The scholarship is awarded annually to an academically qualified 3L law student who has demonstrated a commitment to the ChIPs core mission of advancing and connecting women in technology, law and policy.
The recipients will also receive complimentary registration and travel to the ChIPs Global Summit, Oct. 21-23 in Los Angeles.
“We are proud to confer these awards to such distinguished students” Joan Toth, ChIPs Executive Director, shared. “Each of these awardees exemplifies what it means to be a ChIPs member: not only a high caliber of excellence, but a clear vision to advance fellow women along their journeys.”
Stephanie Burns, ChIPs board director and senior vice president and general counsel of Sony Interactive Entertainment, reflected on the strength of this year’s applicant pool when discussing the 2026 ChIPs Scholarship recipients. “More than 100 talented candidates applied this year, making the selection process incredibly challenging,” said Stephanie Burns, ChIPs Board Director and SVP, General Counsel, Sony Interactive Entertainment. “Jennifer, Sophia, and Sofia stood out, not only for their academic achievements, but for their commitment to advancing diversity in the legal profession. They embody the talent, drive, and leadership that will shape the future of our industry, and I look forward to seeing all they accomplish.”
Jennifer Boles is a third-year law student at the University of San Diego. She is a former engineer, recently spending her summer 2L internship working with Jones Day as a Qualcomm Scholar, offering the opportunity to spend three weeks onsite at Qualcomm. Boles represents a strong commitment to advancing young women and girls, volunteering with local Junior League and Girl Scouts.
On accepting this award, Boles shared “I am honored to have been selected for this award and thrilled to join the talented community of ChIPs scholars. This award is especially meaningful to me because it represents women supporting and empowering the next generation of women pursuing careers in intellectual property and technology law. I am grateful to be part of that tradition and hope to pay it forward throughout my career.”
Boles’ mentor, Eric Austin, Interim Academic Director of Legal Clinics & Professor for the USD Entrepreneurship Clinic said of Boles’ award “From the first time Jennifer practiced before the USPTO in our Entrepreneurship Clinic, she demonstrated a genuine passion for intellectual property, matched by remarkable analytical skills. It is gratifying to see her commitment and exceptional work for our clients recognized by ChIPs.”
Sophia Kim is a third-year law student at Georgetown University. Kim represents a strong commitment to advancing women in IP law, having previously served as President of the Student Intellectual Property Law Association and currently serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Georgetown Law & Technology Review. As Editor-in-Chief, she has prioritized expanding representation on the Review’s editorial board, particularly women and women of color.
Reflecting on the award, Kim shared “Throughout my professional journey, women mentors have shown me the power of representation and community,” Kim shared. “ChIPs’ commitment to expanding opportunities for women in IP law inspires me to pay that mentorship forward by creating more inclusive communities for the next generation of women in the field.”
Mary Pat Dwyer, Academic Program Director of the Institute for Technology Law & Policy at Georgetown, responded to Kim’s award by saying “[she] is the perfect selection for a ChIPs scholarship. From her strong background in neuroscience to her excellence in Georgetown Law’s intellectual property offerings, she embodies the strong technical skills the organization values. Her academic performance has been matched only by her commitment to our tech law community, where she has served as President of the Student Intellectual Property Association, Editor in Chief of the Georgetown Law Technology Review, and a Technology Law and Policy Scholar. We are so proud of this well-earned achievement and share in ChIPs’ recognition of Sophia’s accomplishments.”
Sofia MakePeace is a third-year law student at Indiana University. She is the ChIPs chapter leader and co-chapter founder for ChIPs Indiana University Maurer School of Law. MakePeace has been involved with the ChIPs Indianapolis chapter since her first semester of law school, attending chapter events and networking with fellow members. She has served as a student associate in a USPTO-certified IP clinic and as a managing editor of the Indiana University IP Theory journal. She has authored publications on patent eligibility and data privacy, and co-authored manuscripts on U.S. design patent law. Upon receiving this award, she shared “I’m honored that I was recognized by a community that’s given me a space of belonging in IP and the opportunity to make additional space for more women in IP.”
MakePeace’s mentor, Melissa Berry, Associate Director of the Maurer School of Law Center for Intellectual Property Research, shared “From her very first days at IU Maurer, Sofia has approached the study of IP with rigor, active engagement, and enthusiasm. She is a dedicated student leader, a thoughtful mind in the classroom, and a tireless advocate for diversity in technology, health, and law. Being a part of her intellectual property and ChIPs journey has been a privilege, and this scholarship is a well-earned acknowledgment of her hard work and dedication. Sofia’s future in law is extraordinarily bright.”
ChIPs is a nonprofit organization representing more than 10,000 members in 30+ regional chapters in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Africa. ChIPs advances and connects women in technology, law and policy. We accelerate innovation through diversity of thought, participation, and engagement. ChIPs is open to all who share its mission.
Olivia Moorer
ChIPs Network
+1 773-750-1798
omoorer@chipsnetwork.org
Visit us on social media:
LinkedIn
YouTube
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability
for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this
article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Media gallery
