Anyone considering a career as a patent attorney?

Kamala

Thank You!! Is there any study material that is freely available on web apart from MPEP to prepare for the patent bar exam? Do they also test on current patent litigations or case studies??

berned_you

@Kamala - Not sure about free study aids. You'd have to search and see what you find.

With respect to what's tested, see section IX of this document http://www.uspto.gov/ip/boards/oed/GRB_March_2012.pdf

daisee

hi @berned_you...thank you for starting this thread. I know I'm over a year late but would like some insight into Patent agent career and eventually IP law.
I have an undergraduate degree in Computer Science and a Masters in Public Health. I'm interested in law school but not sure that I can take the instant pay cut. I'm thinking of taking the patent exam and applying for a patent agent job as a means of learning the industry and earning a decent salary for the first two years then probably moving into full time after. I have solid work experience in the IT industry and hoping that I can leverage this for opportunities in patent law work. Have you seen any interest/demand for those with my background in the patent industry? I've seent the requirements for the exam, and I know that I meet them, but will I be marketable enough?

berned_you

The interest and demand can be seen in job postings. As mentioned in previous posts, CompSci isn't as in demand as the engineering sciences but perhaps there are quite a few job openings in Silicon Valley, for example, and the demand is simply localized in various parts of the country. Do some job post searching and see what employers are looking for in the ares in which you would like to work. Hope that helps!

ritaw

I was recently accepted to a MS in Patent Law Program at the University of Notre Dame. This program is designed to teach students how to draft patent applications, read patents, search for patents, and prepare them to take and pass the patent bar. Does this seem like it would be something beneficial if my goal is to work as a patent agent?

My undergrad degree is Materials Science & Engineering. The only thing I am worried about is if I do this program will I be able to find a job as a patent agent? I'm not sure if MSE is a desired degree that is in demand.

Thank you!

berned_you

1. Yes it would have its benefits. Employers will focus heavily on your technical background though too. Just knowing about patents is one thing but knowing advanced technology is equally as important. That said, I'd ask yourself if you really want to invest in this patent agent program. To me, it seems to be an unnecessary expense (probably a huge expense). If you want training and experience, simply apply for a job as a patent examiner. I expect you would likely be hired and they will PAY YOU TO TRAIN YOU AND GAIN THE EXPERIENCE YOU DESIRE (not to mention give you government benefits/holidays). As mentioned in prior replies, you don't need any knowledge of patents to be hired as an examiner and they are hiring aggressively. The USPTO will put you through a thorough training program. Is working as a patent examiner for 2-3 years more valuable than a patent agent degree in an employers eyes? Yes.

2. MSE should be a pretty good background for a patent agent as it includes a good deal of ME and ChemE knowledge (which isn't nearly as straightforward as ME). As mentioned in previous replies, a good background is helpful but no background will guarantee you a job as a patent agent. It will still take work to find opportunities in this economy. You may have to work at the Patent Office as an examiner for awhile or change cities to find a job that suits you. Patent agent practice is somewhat of a niche field. They aren't exactly rare, but aren't as common as patent attorneys or engineers.

pmarley2

how much travel is required? let's say you were an adviser/agent, hired as a phd tech person, at a firm like RG. and if you have to travel will they put you in first class.

berned_you

I don't expect that agents travel very much. You may perhaps travel occasionally to conferences or to visit a client but I think that generally there would not be much travel involved. I definitely would not expect to be put in first class. I do not travel in first class because it's on the client's dollar and the flights are not terribly long. I've flown with attorneys in coach who have been put on client's private jets in the past. That was a real treat for him but he doesn't expect that treatment. It all depends on the client and the situation. Generally, it's all about keeping clients happy and often that means keeping the bills as low as possible.

You will appreciate though that every job is different.

smc44

I have a mixed background. I have an undergraduate degree in English and a graduate degree in Computer Science. For the past 8 years I've been working for a Defense Contractor as a software engineer in the field of Digital Communications. Because my undergraduate degree was not in a science field, I took the Fundamentals of Engineering test, and applied to the USPTO under Category C (I believe I qualified under Category B, but Category C seemed like a lot less paperwork). I recently took and passed the USPTO Registration Exam. I'm at a crossroads in my current career. My current employer is encouraging me to enter a graduate program in EE, but for the past couple of years I've been contemplating going to law school and making a career switch into patent law. Do you think with my background I'd be a good candidate to make the career change? I'd appreciate any feedback. Thanks for your time. This thread has been very helpful.

berned_you

I know in this day and age everyone would really like some certainty in making career choices. School is expensive and it's not always easy to change paths once you're down another. It's great you have a PTO registration and industry experience. A law degree would put you in the position to apply for patent attorney positions and also other pursue other types of law (if you graduate from law school and decide to do another type of law, it's not a big deal like with an undergrad degree). That said, it's very difficult to determine your career prospects. I think you could make it happen. As noted in other posts, a lot of a person's success is determined by factors such as work ethic, geographical location, networking and pure determination/desire. You could have no problem finding a job or it could be harder than you expect. I simply cannot speculate your success. I suggest you go with whatever plan you believe will make you happiest. Law school isn't something to pursue if you aren't entirely committed as there is no guarantee you will find a job quickly or make the big bucks.

smc44

I appreciate your response. I realize that it's a rather subjective questions and not easy to answer without knowing the specifics of my situation. I've spoken with a number of people, and I am always looking to solicit more feedback. I have a friend that works in HR at a large law firm, and she's been trying to get me to consider a job as a Technical Specialist/Science Advisor for a number of years.

Switching careers is a big decision, and for me many factors come into play. I like my current job. Sometimes it's really interesting, and sometimes I feel like I'm trapped in the movie Office Space. The people I work with are great. But in the end, I think I'd be happier doing something else. And I would like to build upon my prior education and experience, and not abandon it entirely for something else. Thanks again for your feedback and starting this thread. It has been really helpful.

chemraj

Hi there,

I have finished my PhD in Organic-Chemistry six months ago and I had 3 yr pharmaceutical industrial experience. I could not focus on preparing for the patBar exam because of my present job and hoping to concentrate soon. I have a simple and straight forward question here, May I know exactly what is the job market for patent agents with the background I have after finishing the patBar exam if everything goes well.

Thanks
Raj

berned_you

My guess is you would fare well as pharma patents will always be sought and this is a field where attorneys will often want the help of an agent who is an expert in the latest tech. That said, the economy kind of stinks and I suggest you check employment listings for such a position in your area and perhaps call a few patent attorneys who work in obtaining pharma patents and get their input. Because of your level of expertise, you may be in a position to create your own job opening through networking and making it known what you have to offer.

physwizard

How about a master's degree in theoretical physics, and bachelor's degree in electrical engineering?

AASaunders

I read through a few pages of this thread and decided to research the career further and I can say that it is something I could pursue once I finish my 4 year masters in physics.

However, I have a few questions. I am from the UK and I know I would have to sit the UK and EU examinations to become a qualified patent attorney. But, if I wanted to do this in the USA I would then have to take further exams, right? Is this a viable route? Is it possible for a person from the UK to be a chartered patent attorney in the USA?

Many thanks.

berned_you

In the US, we have patent agents and patent attorneys. In order to become a patent attorney, you must have a law degree but to be a patent agent, you do not. If you intend to practice overseas and simply want to label yourself as qualified to prosecute patents before the USPTO, simply take the patent bar to become a "patent agent." Here are the requirements http://www.uspto.gov/ip/boards/oed/GRB_March_2012.pdf