Intellectual Property is vital to the technology-driven global economy.  Under the leadership of R. Erik Lillquist, Director, The Gibbons Institute of Law, Science & Technology aims to educate and train the next generation of attorneys and professionals for the complex issues they will face in the 21st century.  The Institute also provides resources and support to the growing technology and scientific communities, locally and nationally, through its faculty scholarship, publications, symposia, and events.   

Seton Hall is ideally located to serve as a forum for lawyers, judges, scientists, and government officials to discuss the legal, political, and social problems that will continue to arise as scientific and technological changes challenge our existing laws and legal institutions. Situated in Northern New Jersey, the Law School is easily accessible to the headquarters of many of the world’s leading telecommunication and pharmaceutical companies and New York’s Silicon Alley. Seton Hall’s location permits the Institute to draw from some of the leading intellectual property and telecommunications law practitioners whose practical experience complements the scholarly expertise of Seton Hall’s faculty.

The Gibbons Institute of Law, Science & Technology Mission Statement

The Institute brings together a number of faculty at Seton Hall Law School who are interested in the effect of advances in science and technology on law and society.  Our writings examine social changes brought about by recent innovations in the life-sciences and information technologies.  We seek to assess the appropriate legal reactions to these social transformations.  Specifically, we have written articles and reports on the following issues:

• Regulation of genetic testing and genetic engineering

• Diffusion of new information and medical technologies

• Expanding access to new medical and information technologies

• Laws and norms governing e-commerce

• Privacy rights in digitized information

• Promoting innovation in pharmaceuticals and medical devices

• Developing corporate structures for an era of innovation

As scholars, our goal is to provide well-informed legal analyses that solve novel societal tensions in both the private and public sectors, resulting from technological innovation.  As teachers, we aim to educate and train students for the complex legal issues they will face.

In addition, the Institute supports public institutions and private businesses in their efforts to address these emerging challenges.  To this end, the Institute partners with leading health care and technology providers in the wider community, to address emerging legal issues.  The Institute also works with the Law School's Health Law and Policy Program to create innovative programs addressing the intersection of technology and health.