<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I’m wondering about what percentage of patent lawyers have had previous work experience in an engineering/science discipline and what is the average starting age…</p>
<p>I’m curious to know what impact starting age has… My situation is that I enlisted in the marines for 5 years right out of high school because I needed a thorough ass kicking. They did, and then I completed my BSEE and MSEE and I’m now in my 5th year of work experience in the Aerospace/Defense industry. I’m 34 and will also have my phd by next year… So if I start law school at 36, I’ll be 39 when I graduate!!! I’m not the type to just get ‘degrees’, I’m just very interested in my profession and many other things as well, law, business, science, i’m all over the place - so that’s why I know that IP will be a good fit. Its just this whole age thing that keeps getting into my mind… </p>
<p>For comparison, I guess a typical scenario would be after high schol: get BSEE(or any other science degree), then maybe work a little then J.D. so they start at around ~ age 27 as a patent lawyer and I would start at age 39. That person would already have 12 year experience by age 39… </p>
<p>to quickly summarize:
- any thoughts on the impact of age on intitial position/hiring and career growth for a patent lawyer? the good, the bad…</p>
<li><p>How do you think partners at patent law firms view applicants with no experience in IP law who are close to 40 years old?</p></li>
<li><p>guesses or data on average starting age for patent lawyer</p></li>
<li><p>guesses or data on previous number of years of experience as an engineer/scientist before becoming a patent lawyer?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I really appreciate anyone contributing their time to help me figure this all out…</p>
<p>thank you,</p>
<p>Nick</p>
<p>As a headhunter for attorneys, I have found that, typically, the patent lawyers are older than other associates because they do often have advanced degrees and work experience. Depending on the firm and the experience, you may get credit for either certain degrees and/or work experience so you may not have to enter the firm as a first year associate. I hesitate to throw out averages simply because they would be more like guesses. I don't think age will be a problem for you and I don't think the partners will care. In other practice areas, an associate coming in who is partner-age can be a problem but even that depends on the dynamics in an individual firm or group.</p>
<p>nick: Actually, people come into the patent profession at quite a range of ages. Entering at around 40 isn't the most common, but also isn't unusual. A number of scientists do this when they find their research careers begin to stall or become uninteresting in their mid- or late 30s.</p>
<p>Partners in law firms thus aren't taken aback or in any way dismayed by somone around 40 interviewing for a first-year associate position, or even coming to work summers.</p>
<p>It sounds like you plan to go to law school full-time. If you can afford it, that's great. But going in the evenings will take only a year longer and allow you to work so as to pay for school. It will, though, take much of those 4 years out of your normal life. But people do it, including many your age, in order to advance or change their careers.</p>
<p>You should note that if you aim at joining a law firm, you'll need the energy of a 27-year old to put in the hours and make the billable hours that the firm will require of you. So stay in good physical shape. You also should note that in changing carers you may very well find yourself being trained and/or supervised by someone younger than you, so be ready to cope psychologically and socially with that.</p>
<p>If you go ahead, good luck.</p>
<p>hi Nick,</p>
<p>i actually share the same concern as you.
from what i learned it has a lot to do with which technical field.
it seems for ee and cs the bar for a “specialist” is lower so many young people with bs and ms can be admitted into this line of profession.
for other areas like bio or chem etc., it is not uncommon to see people in late 30s to apply for this job since phd degree is usually required.</p>
<p>i wish you a smooth transition.
and i myself will struggle on … as a senior in this line of business … ^_^</p>