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   UT Austin for patent law?
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   Author  Topic: UT Austin for patent law?  (Read 2291 times)
calcli
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UT Austin for patent law?
« on: Apr 11th, 2006, 9:39am »
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 I'm seriously considering UT Austin for law school, but I'm a little concerned about placement in patent law after law school.  I like Austin, UT has a great rep, and I'm a Texas resident.  
 
My background is in chemistry/biotech (with a PhD), and Texas is not really a hotbed for these industries (compared to the coasts).  I'm wondering if I run the risk of being over looked if I'm in Texas. Also, while UT has an excellent law school, they don't seem to be very well known for IP.
 
George Washington is the other serious contender.  The cost would be about the same (scholarship), and they place well with IP firms and DC would be a great place to be for law school.  
 
Does anyone have any experience with either of these schools? Or an idea of placement from UT?
 
Thanks!
 
« Last Edit: Apr 11th, 2006, 9:41am by calcli » IP Logged
guest
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Re: UT Austin for patent law?
« Reply #1 on: Apr 11th, 2006, 11:26am »
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Go for GW - - - It is (unofficially) THE top patent school in the country.
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prosdog
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Re: UT Austin for patent law?
« Reply #2 on: Apr 11th, 2006, 2:37pm »
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If you're a Texas resident and costs are the same, go to GW.  But, if you're a big college football fan, then go to UT (I bought my Rose Bowl tickets from a UT Law scalper, I'll bet I paid his tuition for the semester with that transaction!).
 
I went to UT undergrad and loved it, but if I had to choose between UT and GW law, I'd have chosen to go to GW, just to live in a different part of the country.  As it was, I didn't go to either, but that's a long story...
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p@tent.guy
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Re: UT Austin for patent law?
« Reply #3 on: Apr 11th, 2006, 9:37pm »
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I would have to agree: patent judges, lawyers, even the editor-in-chief of the JPTOS -  many of the most respected IP people with whom I have interacted have passed through GW. Great rep (surprisingly well grounded in reality), great DC opportunities, broad and deep network of IP (and non IP) professionals. A top choice for IP by almost any standard.  
 
That said, UT-Austin is clearly a rising program. They have recently sponsored CLE workshops at the USPTO in Alexandria, they have obvious connections in the IP world and are actively working to further leverage those connections.  
 
However, at the end of the day, GW is the standard, and unless there is an overwhelming reason, the opportunity to go there should likely not be missed.  
 
Good luck.
« Last Edit: Apr 11th, 2006, 9:40pm by p@tent.guy » IP Logged
Isaac
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Re: UT Austin for patent law?
« Reply #4 on: Apr 12th, 2006, 6:25am »
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George Washington is a great choice, particularly if you plan to move to DC.   I certainly don't disagree with the posters who recommend going there.
 
That said, I don't know that the IP reputation of a school is all that important a selection criteria.   I certainly don't believe that it is very important to take a bunch of IP classes during law school even if you intend to become a patent attorney.  Somehow graduates of schools with lesser IP reputations like Duke and U of Michigan seem to do okay.
 
George Washington and UT Austin have similar national reputations.   Both are excellent schools.   Locally, the reputations of the schools may differ, and you should take that into acount if you intend to practice in the local area of the school.
 
And there's always the possibility that you won't even practice patent law after graduation in which case, the IP reputation would be completely irrelevant.
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Isaac
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