When rising third-year law student Arianne Ontiveros submitted her application to the Hispanic National Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Law Institute (IPLI), she was eager to follow in the footsteps of University of Miami School of Law scholars before her. This summer, Ontiveros was one of 26 law students selected nationwide for the prestigious summer program.
For Ontiveros, a Miami Scholars Public Interest and Dean’s Merit Scholar who is set to graduate in May 2027, spending an intensive week in Washington, D.C., learning from top minds in intellectual property law was both a thrill and a natural next step in her legal journey.
A Legacy of Representation and Leadership
The IPLI selection carries special significance for the University of Miami School of Law. The institute was founded by School of Law alumnus Horacio Gutierrez, J.D. ’98, during his tenure as general counsel at Microsoft. Driven by a concern over the severe underrepresentation of Hispanic law students pursuing careers in IP law, Gutierrez launched the program to build direct pathways for the next generation of attorneys. Gutierrez, who has since departed from Microsoft to serve as chief legal officer at The Walt Disney Company, established a pipeline that continues to empower Miami Law students like Ontiveros.
“Miami Law has a very strong legacy within IPLI,” Ontiveros said, noting that seeing her peers excel in the program inspired her to apply. “I was thrilled to be chosen to learn from thought leaders in the intellectual property field.”
The weeklong immersion program provides scholars with substantive educational programming, hands-on practical experiences, and enhanced professional development opportunities, including writing and interviewing workshops, resume reviews prior to Mock Interview Night, and mentorship pairings with both a sponsor and an alumni mentor.
Protecting Creativity in Practice
Ontiveros’ path to IP law is rooted in a lifelong passion for communication, marketing, and entrepreneurship. A University of Southern California graduate in Communication and Law, History, and Culture, she first realized the power of IP law in a business communication course.
That academic interest became personal during her gap year when she co-founded Girls Run the 915, a women’s running club in her hometown of El Paso, Texas. As the club grew to nearly 20,000 social media followers, other creators began copying the brand’s distinctive aesthetic.
“That opened my eyes to how important intellectual property is and how creativity and the law intersect,” Ontiveros said. She began researching USPTO trademark filings and negotiating brand partnerships with major athletic companies, including Lululemon and On Running.
Bridging Passion and Advocacy at Miami Law
At Miami Law, Ontiveros has continued to refine her focus. She points to Startup Clinic director Jaime Rich Vining’s trademark course and hands-on legal training—such as drafting office actions and redlining agreements—as pivotal in bridging theory and practice.
During IPLI’s D.C. program, a standout moment came during the fashion and entertainment panel. Kenneth Anand, author of Sneaker Law and an adjunct professor at Miami Law, offered a reminder that resonated deeply with her: the law doesn’t have to be the career where creativity goes to die.
“As someone who’s creative, I needed that reminder that law and creativity can intersect in a powerful and interesting way,” Ontiveros said.
Looking Ahead
Ontiveros is already channeling that mindset into her remaining time at Miami Law. In addition to serving on the executive boards of the Yvette Ostolaza Mock Trial Team and the Fashion Law Society, she is gaining hands-on litigation experience as a law clerk at Kandell, Kandell & Petrie, P.A., following previous work in immigration law at Fragomen and Las Américas Immigrant Advocacy Center.
As she prepares for her final year of law school, Ontiveros has her sights set firmly on the courtroom.
“My ultimate goal is to litigate within the soft IP space after gaining a few years of experience in general civil litigation,” she said. “Ultimately, I want to be a trademark litigator.”
Read more about the School of Law’s intellectual property law area of study.