<p>Marecrisium: this question is addressed in my opening post and one or two others of mine.</p>
<p>dadofsam,</p>
<p>I just finished reading this thread and must say I found it enlightening and helpful. There are still a few questions unique to my own situation I was wondering if you are in a position to answer:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I’m a 2nd year Biochemistry major (with English minor) at a mid-sized private school in the midwest. I run the collective undergraduate Moot Court and Mediation organization at my school and for the past two summers, worked part-time at a small law firm in my hometown. I am fairly certain I want to go into law and my current experiences should set me up well to participate in Moot Court, etc. in law school, but I’m wondering if I’ll be at a competitive disadvantage to actually work in IP/Patent law, especially if I go to law school on the coasts (with the goal of working there)? (I am most interested in working in litigation.)</p></li>
<li><p>a) I also do research with a professor and plan to do research in coming summers, either at my school or other larger research universities. Presently I have worked on pharmaceutical chemistry, but plan to focus more on genetics in coming semesters. Will this experience help my chances when I go to apply for jobs after graduating law school, or is it a waste of time?
b) I am going to spend a semester abroad–will this improve my job outlook (aside from its benefits on law school applications)?</p></li>
<li><p>I maintain the possibility of graduating at least a semester early, to, among many reasons, study for and take the patent bar. Is this a good idea, or would an extra semester of classes be better? I could conceivably take classes at my home university’s law school, for undergraduate credit. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks,</p>
<p>8ivies</p>
<p>8ivies:</p>
<p>Nos. 1 and 2a can only help you - maybe not necessaily in gaining admittance to a law school but in looking for employment in the IP field, both for an internship or summer position and for one after graduation. </p>
<p>Studying abroad probably has no special effect. Likewise finishing your college studies a semester early probably will have no special effect on future employment.</p>
<p>But nobody can be 100% sure about all this.</p>
<p>I think you may have misread my last question: I will only leave a semester early if I decide to study for (and take) the patent bar. Would this be to my advantage, or is another semester of classes better?</p>
<p>I also had a follow-up question: Should I pursue a B.A. or a B.S. in biochem? I can do either.</p>
<p>8ivies: a B.S. in biochemistry is far preferable than a B.A.</p>
<p>As for leaving a semester early, nobody will really care so long as you graduate and get the B.S. And it should lower your overall college cost.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance. </p>
<p>I am a recent law grad (2007) and I have a BS in bioengineering. I have worked as a criminal prosecutor for the past 2 years. I wanted to transition to patent litigation but have found it harder to get into then I had originally thought. I am thinking of going back to school to get a masters in electrical engineering to open up more doors. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>It’s difficult to say whether a more advanced degree will be helpful in your gaining entry into patent litigation. I suggest that you try to get to speak with one or more patent litigators (partners inb law firm) in your area. Make it clear to them that you are not seeking an interview for a specific job in their firm but for advice on how to get into patent litigation in general. They may be happy to give you general advice without feeling obligated to hire you. It may turn out, for example, that you are advised to get additional prosecutorial experience to make you more desirable as an experienced litigator.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I have to disagree with dadofsam on your question; a BS in CS almost certainly fares better than than a BS in Biology. And in general, not all technical degrees are equally useful – very far from it, in fact.</p>
<p>These days, it is almost impossible to prosecute patents with only a BS in biology/chemistry/biochem. An advanced degree is practically required to prosecute in the biological sciences. In contrast, a BS in CS is considered sufficient to prosecute software patents.</p>
<p>See, e.g., [A</a> few questions on preparing for a career in patent law](<a href=“http://www.intelproplaw.com/ip_forum/index.php/topic,14481.msg72027.html#msg72027]A”>A few questions on preparing for a career in patent law)
[Can</a> I do patent prosecution with my background?](<a href=“http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=122893&p=3183142&hilit=patent#p3183142]Can”>Can I do patent prosecution with my background? Forum - Top Law Schools)</p>
<p>Hi dadofsam,</p>
<p>Thanks so much for this informational thread.</p>
<p>My question concerns what law firms, particularly big law, look for in patent attorneys. I have read through the thread and have seen that you feel that the higher the degree you have, the more competitive you look out in the job market. </p>
<p>I was wondering what would look better; having a dual major, such as Electrical and Computer Engineering, which would give you a wider range of knowledge, or having a Masters in one thing, such as Electrical Engineering, which would give you a greater depth of knowledge in a specific topic.</p>
<p>Also, do you feel that having just a B.S. in a field such as Electrical/Computer/Mechanical engineering is sufficient enough to find a IP job, especially in big law? Would going to a T14 law school make up for just having a B.S. in your field of engineering?</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your help!</p>
<p>PSLaplace: there is a difference between majoring in biology or chemistry and majoring in bioengineering, which is what the question addressed. It is generally correct that a bachelors degree in biology or chemistry will not be a good qualification for a position as an IP attorney. That is not the case for bioengineering or, for that matter, most engineering bachelors degrees.</p>
<p>NotClosetoFour its difficult to say whether the combined bachelors degree or the M.S.E.E. would be better. However, if you have some computer science courses in your degree, that might be helpful in working on software patents.</p>
<p>Everyone should remember that only those who have been to the future can confidently predict it. My comments can only apply to the profession as it is in 2010; things could change in three or more years. That is why I always advise (a) that in college one should major in a subject that he/she is interested in and can do well in and (b) in and after college one must keep aware of current professional trends.</p>
<p>All: the other thing that I always advise is that it is a mistake to aim for the lowest possible qualifications for a job. Especially if you want to be considered for an entry-level patent position in a major patent law firm, you need to have much more than the minimum qualifications. You will be competing with people having top qualifications, both in science and in law school. And this is even more the case now, in the current economy. So if you want to work in a given profession, the more advanced degree the better.</p>
<p>I am an International student currently studying in University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. I am looking at the possibility of Law school as an option after my undergraduate degree. I am currently in my First year engineering (I am looking at MechE and EECS as options).</p>
<p>I had a few queries. So, please help me out.</p>
<p>1) Since my parent’s will be going all out on my Undergrad education, I have to take care of Law school all by myself. So what options will I be looking at ?. Are internationals given scholarships at Law schools ?.</p>
<p>I read about a few companies paying their employees through law school. So are there any engineering firms/firms (if possible name a few) which will put me through school ?.</p>
<p>2) I am currently looking at IP and Patent law as law school options and I wanted to know whether both these fields are viable options ?. Are Patent Law/IP as stable as Engineering/Med School ?. What would be the average salary of a Law student just out of law school practicing in IP/Patent ?</p>
<p>3) What other options other than IP/Patent will be open to me ?</p>
<p>I also wanted to know whether there is a possibility of Students with a Technical Degree (Such as undergrad in Mech Engineering) can get in to Personal Injury Law ?. </p>
<p>If this is possible then in what would I be working towards [I mean, what kind of firms will hire me ?]</p>
<p>[ I know this does not go with the title of the thread, but i am interested in this field]</p>
<p>Sharjeel:</p>
<p>Please post my response to your PM. Your PM was a verbatim repeat of #152 and #153. I no longer have my PM response. It would have been nicer of you to ask me to look at #152 and #153 in your PM rather than sending me the the enitre post as a “private” message. You obviously were not embarassed to make your questions public. I hope that you did not PM every contributor to this thread.</p>
<p>ConCerndDad :-</p>
<p>1) Since my parent’s will be going all out on my Undergrad education, I have to take care of Law school all by myself. So what options will I be looking at ?. Are internationals given scholarships at Law schools ?</p>
<br>
<br>
<p>I read about a few companies paying their employees through law school. So are there any engineering firms/firms (if possible name a few) which will put me through school ?</p>
<br>
<br>
<p>2) I am currently looking at IP and Patent law as law school options and I wanted to know whether both these fields are viable options ? Are Patent Law/IP as stable as Engineering/Med School ? What would be the average salary of a Law student just out of law school practicing in IP/Patent ?</p>
<br>
<br>
<p>3) What other options other than IP/Patent will be open to me ?</p>
<br>
<br>
<p>I also wanted to know whether there is a possibility of Students with a Technical Degree (Such as undergrad in Mech Engineering) can get in to Personal Injury Law ?.</p>
<br>
<br>
<p>If this is possible then in what would I be working towards [I mean, what kind of firms will hire me ?]</p>
<br>
<br>
<p>Note:
I did not PM every contributor on this thread, just you. I thought your comments on this thread were very reasonable and accurate :).</p>
<p>I plan to settle down in the United States and have no plan whatsoever of going back to my native country.</p>
<p>Sharjeel: I also know little about law school admissions. However, it’s my understanding that very little money is available for law school scholarships in general.</p>
<p>It’s unlikely that an engineering company will hire you and then pay for you to go to law school. You would be asking them to pay for a career change and they have no interest in doing that (unless you have worked there for some time, have proven yourself valuable and the manager of the company’s patent department is willing to have you transfer - and those situations are rare). I don’t know whether the Patent Office would pay for your entire law school costs; they may pay part of it.</p>
<p>My suggestion is that for the present you focus your thoughts on engineering. Do not spend your college time studying it unless you really like it and can do well; otherwise you are setting yourself up for years of unpleasant experiences. In the end you may decide not to continue engineering and the decision on law school (and which field of law) would be a separate matter.</p>
<p>Dear dadofsam, </p>
<p>I am entering my Ph.D. program in molecular biology at an Ivy League school this fall. I have already worked two years in a biotech company after undergrad and now I am going back to school to get my doctorate. I definitely don’t want to stay in research forever, but I like science and want to stay connected to the field and lately the field of patent law has been very fascinating to me in that regard. I was wondering if you can share your insight about job prospects for Ph.Ds. who come out directly from school into this field? Specifically, do I have to graduate law school to get the foot in the door at these types of law firms, or are there jobs available for Ph.Ds fresh out of school? I know that most companies expect that their new hires have to finish law school at some point in their career if they want to gain license to practice law. How competitive are these positions and what should I do to enhance my candidacy to these jobs? Are there any types of internship programs for graduate students that can provide exposure in this field? </p>
<p>Thanks a lot for your help and your thread is very informational and helpful.</p>
<p>Dear Yagrady:</p>
<ol>
<li> Entry-level jonbs in patent law are VERY COMPETITIVE and I expect them to be so for the forseeable future. In biotech a Ph.D. is essential for the better positions, and many applicants for those top jobs have postdctoral research and industrial experience as well.</li>
</ol>
<p>So to become a biotech patent attorney you will need to have both your Ph.D. and your law degree, at least.</p>
<p>There are some positions available in law firms for people without the law degree - either those who have not yet gone to law school or those who are in law school. These have various names such as technical advisor and patent engineer. You would need a Ph.D. for most of these - they involve patent searching and preparing technically complex parts of patent applications.</p>
<p>The question that’s not clear is when you wish to seek one of those positions. They are usually full-time so you probably wouldn’t be able to work while attending law school - unless you can find someone who will agree to your working flexible hours - or you attend law school at night.</p>
<p>Happy Holidays!
I see there hasnt been any posts for a few months here so I hope this thread is still alive.
Just took the LSAT today!
I’ve been researching on job prospect for lawyers and the field of IP law for a while now.
I know that competition is intense and the economy is not helping.</p>
<p>Here’re my questions:</p>
<p>I have a Bachelor’s in EE + 3 yrs of work exp in Telecommunications, specifically BlackBerries. </p>
<p>With no exp in IP or law, how’s my prospect for an Articling position and a FT job?
I know time will be different in 3 yrs, but judging from the current situation, say, are most applicants for entry level IP jobs Masters/PhDs?</p>
<p>Will a Masters in EE with no engineering exp be preferred over someone like me?</p>
<p>How much will articling job/entry level IP job pay typically in say Chicago?</p>
<p>I currently make ~70k, with tutition and opportunity cost thats 300k I am investing…
I like writing in general and I am ok with giving up engineering, but with the current job outlook, is giving up 70K+really good bens at a large tech company (RIM) worth it?</p>
<p>I know some of my questions are highly subjective, just really been bothered by the risk due to the poor outlook, so any opinion will be welcomed and appreciated.</p>
<p>There have been no new posts for a whiile, which is to be expected after such a long time as many basic questions have been dealt with. However, I still am keeping watch.</p>
<p>New IP attorneys with EE degrees are still being hired, though not in the same numbers as a few years ago. Hopefuly things will improve in 3 years.</p>
<p>At this time a bachelor’s degree in EE plus some experience probably equals a masters’ degree, in general. Of course individual hiring attorneys will have their own preferences.</p>
<p>If you can get an entry-level job as an IP attorney it should start at significantly more than $70,000, especially in a law firm. Of course, in a law firm, in order to justify that salary, you probably would have to work harder and longer hours than you ever have worked before. And in the meantime you would not have earned that salary for the years in law school. You should be able to catch up with that after a while, if you stay in the IP field.</p>