In May 2025, students from Purdue University stopped by the USITC to learn about the agency and global trade.
On May 16 and 29, undergraduates with majors in various disciplines—including agricultural business, communications, economics, engineering, and political science—visited the USITC as part of the school’s annual tours of Washington, D.C.
The conversation covered a range of topics, including what the USITC does, which intellectual property (IP) matters are handled by the USITC, the types of economic research we conduct, and how staff launched their careers in public service.
Andrea Langrish, managing director for Purdue’s Center for C-SPAN Scholarship & Engagement and visit coordinator, said, “Each speaker was interesting, engaging, and genuinely excited about the work they do, and they were incredibly gracious in sharing stories about their experiences and offering academic and career guidance.”
Marissa Ducca, general attorney from the Office of Unfair Import Investigations and a Purdue graduate, said, “It was wonderful to meet such an amazing and enthusiastic group of students from my alma mater and to share the important Commission mission and work we do with them.”
“The students asked many interesting questions about both trade and careers. It was a lot of fun speaking with them and sharing my experiences,” added John Benedetto, international economist from the Office of Economics and a 26-year veteran of the USITC.
On June 5, 2025, the USITC hosted the Hispanic National Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Law Institute (IPLI) as part of the program’s annual weeklong IP and technology immersion experience in Washington, D.C. This year, 25 law students from universities across the country participated.
Chief Administrative Law Judge Clark S. Cheney, Supervisory Attorney Vu Bui of the Office of Unfair Import Investigations, and Attorney-Advisor Benjamin Richards of the Office of the General Counsel described how section 337 investigations work and how to kick-start a career in IP law.
The panelists emphasized that IP law covers far more than just patents—it also includes copyrights, trade secrets, and trademarks. They also noted that a technical undergraduate degree, while helpful, is not a prerequisite for entering this dynamic and multidimensional field of law.
"The IP space is very wide. You can find an area depending on your interest," shared Bui, who began his career as a private-sector litigator before transitioning to IP at his firm and later at the USITC.
Tyler Quillin, senior corporate counsel at Microsoft, co-chair of IPLI, and past program participant, said, “We’ve been visiting the USITC for 13 years, and it's always such a highlight of our program. This year was no different. The USITC provides such a unique avenue for redress that students aren't often exposed to. Chief Judge Cheney and other USITC legal counsel graciously shared their time and wisdom with the students about the critical role the USITC plays regarding IP law, as well as the strategic role it plays in a growingly globalized economy.”
Schools and professional associations interested in learning more about the USITC are encouraged to contact the Office of External Relations.