<p>Can someone inform me or point me in the direction of some in depth info about patent law. I'm looking for all of the specifics from locations, job opportunities, salaries, what a typical day is like, exactly what are the cases you work with like, etc. </p>
<p>I am currently an engineering student (going into my senior year) trying to decide whether I should apply to law school or a PhD program in engineering. I realize these are two completely different fields but they both intrigue me and I must decide rather quickly which I should pursue. </p>
<p>My internship experiences in engineering have left me with a sour taste in my mouth. I am not certain that a career in engineering is for me (outside of pure research) but am quite intrigued by the inherent link to technology/engineering that is involved in patent law.</p>
Prepare for your LSAT now, the next test date:<br>
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Tuesday, October 3, 2006
Saturday, December 2, 2006
Monday, December 4, 2006
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Monday, February 12, 2007</p>
<p>One more question (which I should really just look up myself)</p>
<p>How important are letters of recommendations for law school? And in general how many do you need?</p>
<p>I worry about these simply because I am an engineering student who has openly expressed interest in applying to graduate school in engineering to the faculty members that know me the best. I am concerned that they may frown upon going to law school (or say this kid has no idea what he wants to do, last semester he was talking about getting a PhD in engineering).</p>
<p>I have debated for quite sometime about holding off on getting a professional degree (whatever it may be) but I am fairly certain that I would like to go right after undergrad. So while I realize it is possible to take some time off, I can't imagine me pursuing this route.</p>
<p>Asking for LOR and determining what type of letter they feel they can write for you are important determinants. It would be very unprofessional for a recommender to make assumptions about what you do or don't want to do. If they don't feel they can write a strong personal recommendation for you find another recommender.
[quote]
My internship experiences in engineering have left me with a sour taste in my mouth.
<p>First, thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>Second, I haven't talked with Profs at all about my displeasure of my internships, mainly because they have spawned over the course of this summer. I think that most of my fears will be non-existent when I head back to school in the fall because by then I will be able to justify whatever decision I make with concrete examples for them if they question my motivation. So hopefully that will naturally work itself out.</p>
<p>Finally, on average how many LOR do you need?</p>
<p>generally two-three. I'd say you have no harm no fowl whatever path you choose. I can understand the whole internship experience being sour. Listen to your inner soul and follow your heart.</p>
<p>Sorry for all the questions but I have one more for the night</p>
<p>Since I am coming from an engineering background, with virtually no traditional pre-law courses, I am concerned that my LOR that will be coming from engineering faculty will be problematic because they hold virtually no weight in the law world. Is this going to be a problem?</p>
<p>Another option you could consider is becoming a patent agent which does not require a law degree, you only have to pass an exam given by the US Patent and Trademark Office; this would allow you use your technical knowledge by prosecuting patent applications filed with the patent office (ie, assist in writing and then filing the paperwork in order to get a patent issued for). Patent agents esp those with industry experience or PhD's can make pretty decent money. If you are unsure of law school you could try this out to get a taste of patent law; many engineers and scientists start out as patent agents and the ones who make more money as patent agents are the ones who (not surprisingly) have more experience or PhD's (and many then go on to get their law degrees later primarily because of the higher salaries they can earn with a law degree).</p>
<p>Okay, LORs are an easy question. Much easier than existential angst. :)</p>
<p>LSDAS will accept up to three LORs. I don't think any of the 20 law schools apps I saw asked for more than three. I would suggest, unless someone says differently, two from engineering and one from a liberal arts course (so they can comment on your research/writing skills). A good practice for LORs that would really help you a ton is to write up a short blurb about you, what you've brought to the classroom, and what you are applying for. So you could talk about what you did in the class that makes you special (less work for the prof to make a really good rec) and then explain why you want to go to law school. Very helpful. </p>
<p>As for starting law school in 2007... that is a HUGE rush. You should have your apps in by the end of October. You could probably take the October LSAT and have your apps ready to go, only waiting for the score (and that would help you to determine where you are applying). Still, that gives you Aug, Sept., and Oct to do a lot of work - LSAT, signing up with LSDAS, researching schools, learning about the entire l.s. process, and filling out apps. </p>
<p>I do really really like Scansmom's idea of being a patent agent for a while. That is also PHENOMENAL experience for a resume if you want law school & jobs afterwards.</p>
<p>How big is the salary difference between someone starting out as a patent agent and someone starting out as a patent attorney after completing law school? Can anyone give me an estimate?</p>
<p>ariesathena, Would it really be that much of a rush to plan on attending in the fall of 2007? </p>
<p>I would have nearly 3 months to prepare for the LSATs, filling out apps and registering for the LSDAS can be done in my spare time throughout the early portions of the semester. Maybe I'm missing something but I don't see why this is such a rush.</p>
<ol>
<li> University of CaliforniaBerkeley<br></li>
<li> Stanford University (CA) </li>
<li> George Washington University (DC) </li>
<li> Santa Clara University (CA) </li>
<li> University of Houston<br></li>
<li> Cardozo-Yeshiva University (NY) </li>
<li> Duke University (NC)
Franklin Pierce Law Center (NH) </li>
<li> Illinois Institute of Technology (Chicago-Kent)<br></li>
<li> Columbia University (NY) </li>
<li> DePaul University (IL) </li>
<li> Boston University<br>
New York University</li>
</ol>
<p>Well, some of it is because I applied to 14 schools and researched 40 schools... and when I was admitted to my school and chatting online with rising 1Ls, they all made fun of me for how thoroughly I knew the system.</p>
<p>LSAT is extremely important; don't shortchange your studying. Um, if you use these boards (I didn't have that resource) you can probably find a good list of schools. I don't know how many you'll be applying to, but filling out the apps can be tough (although LSDAS does have a computerized auto-fill in service). I did personalized cover letters and visited most of the campuses. I also talked to the people at the law school forums, run by LSAC. So I threw in a ton of work for my apps - a zillion times more than undergrad. </p>
<p>I also read a LOT about law school and the entire experience. You should read "Law School Confidential," by Robert Miller, front to back before applying (or at least sending in a deposit!).</p>
<p>Now, you know better than I what your senior year schedule will look like. Just don't shortchange yourself in all this. If you spend a few hours a day for the next three months on this stuff, you can be in great shape. If your GPA is really good and you get a good LSAT score, again, your life will be easier. For me, it was a June-September constant effort, but, for various reasons, I was working uphill.</p>
<p>How big is the salary difference between someone starting out as a patent agent and someone starting out as a patent attorney after completing law school? Can anyone give me an estimate?</p>
<ol>
<li> Boston University<br>
New York University<br></li>
<li> John Marshall Law School (IL) </li>
<li> Georgetown University (DC) </li>
<li> Harvard University (MA) </li>
<li> Michigan State University<br>
University of Washington<br></li>
<li> Case Western Reserve University (OH)
Fordham University (NY) </li>
<li> Boston College<br>
University of MinnesotaTwin Cities<br>
University of TexasAustin<br></li>
<li> George Mason University (VA)
University of Akron (OH)
University of Pittsburgh<br></li>
<li> Washington University in St. Louis</li>
</ol>