<p>Basically I just want to know whether the whole T14 school still applies to patent law. The reason I ask is that even though I of course plan to work my ass off to get a high GPA, since I'll be doing chem E, it might be hard to get above a 3.6. So I'm confident (not cocky!) enough to think I can get a 3.3 or so at least, which could put me in the running for other decent tier 1s, so will a school that is well-received regionally be fine if I'm looking to get into patent law?</p>
<p>Well, it won't be as easy to find a job as it would be from a T14 school. But, of course there are patent lawyers who didn't come from those schools (looking at a law firm's website will bear this out).</p>
<p>I know several IP attorneys who went to Georgetown's or GW's night program while working at the Patent and Trademark Office--that's a hard 4 years, but it's easier to get into these schools' night programs and it definitely reduces your debt load to be earning a salary while in school.</p>
<p>The T14 thing does not apply to patent law as it does to other practice areas.Where the undergrad/graduate degree comes from is often more important.</p>
<p>Cartera is correct. The T14 paradigm does not particularly apply to patent law, unless you are trying to get into the intellectual property group of a major law firm. Lots of patent attorneys attended regional law schools. Here in the SF Bay Area such school inlcude Santa Clara, Golden Gate, UC Davis, Hastings and USF.</p>
<p>The important things is to get good grades.</p>
<p>uhhh OK, so would the fact that I'm transferring to Oregon State (since it's instate from me), hurt me then, because I highly doubt that they are a top notch engineering program, and I'd really like to avoid getting a grad degree?</p>
<p>If the question is whether a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering should be sufficient to serve as an entry to patent law, the general answer at this time is that it should be sufficient. Of course, the higher your undergraduate degree, the more qualified you will be as an applicant for a summer job in a law firm (if that's what you want to aim for) or as an entering patent attorney.</p>
<p>Can't guarantee what the situation will be by the time you graduate law school, however. And I have no opinions about the quality of the chemical engineering program at Oregon State.</p>
<p>Hi, sorry to bump a thread, but I'm really interested in patent law as well and I was wondering what I need to do to get a job as a patent lawyer. Here's my plan, modify as you see fitting:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I'm going to major in Chemical Engineering since I hear that it's second to only computer engineering in terms of in demand major for patent law, and is a hot major right now anyways with applications in many fields.</p></li>
<li><p>Of course I plan on maintaining as high of a GPA as possible. Honestly, knowing my abilities and how hard engineering I think that I'll probably be around the 3.5 range, which means I won't get into a T14, but I'm shooting for no less than a 3.8 (I'm already not going to get a 4.0 because I'm getting a B this semester, but I intend on picking it up greatly from here on out).</p></li>
<li><p>I plan on absolutely annihilating the LSAT. I want no less than a 167 on it. I'll start studying at the end of semester this year if I have to.</p></li>
<li><p>I plan on doing some ECs, but nothing too ridiculous. I mean, I'm sure my school has a pre-law/patent law society (or if not, I'll start one), so I'll join that and run for office, become an RA, etc. Plus I intend on doing a lot of research.</p></li>
<li><p>I guess I absolutely must attend a T14 law school, so I guess I'll hopefully go one after all of this is done.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>So what modifications would you make to my plan so far? Also, I was wondering where are the majority of patent law jobs at if you're not aiming for the computer industry? I'm more looking at the biomedical/pharmaceutical industry to do patent law in, and would really like to work in either the east coast (NYC is my dream) or in Texas/Cali, so is that possible as a patent lawyer? </p>
<p>And yes I know all of this is early, and I'm not closing my mind to anything, but I really, really think I want to do patent law. I get to continue to learn science in an area I love (biomedical/pharmaceuticals), and make a good salary doing it, but I'm really worried about not accomplishing my goals, so that's why I really need your advice.</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>My advice, since you seem to be a high school student, is to read my last post on the pinned thread.</p>
<p>I'm not a high school student. I'm in college, in science classes and so far I love it.</p>
<p>My advice is still much the same. Choose a major that interests you and that you will like because you will be spending a lot of time studying and working in it during college, and perhaps afterwards.</p>
<p>At the moment there are a lot of opportunities for chemical engineers, both in patent law and in industry, especially if you would like to work in newer fields such as manufacturing biotech products or materials science/nanotechnology. Of course, that also means that a larger number of students are expressing interest, and choosing to major, in it than before. So there also will be a lot of graduates looking to work in that field. And as I said in my main post, nobody can predict the demand for chemical engineer/patent attorneys in five or six or seven years when you will have finished both college and law school.</p>
<p>That's why I advise to major in a subject that you like and can do well in.</p>
<p>As far as choice of law schools, see my post in this thread.</p>