|
|
Author |
Topic: From the PTO to a firm (Read 2649 times) |
|
Malian
Guest
|
This is a specific question to those who have transitioned from the PTO to work for a firm. I recently received an offer from an IP firm to work as a student associate. A bit of background: I've been at the PTO for 3 years, am doing rather well with above 130% production and just started my second year at law school. I wanted to collect a few opinions about the pros and cons of making the move. I think I've flushed out most.
There are obvious ones such as flexibility, quality of life and promotional and bonus structure at the PTO compared with the "prestige", more money (immediately and in the future) and the diversity of work (prosecution, litigation, opinion work) at a firm. Are there any that are less obvious? Anyone willing to talk about their experiences? Any tips, help personal anecdotes would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
|
|
 IP Logged |
|
|
|
Isaac
Senior Member
Posts: 3472
|
 |
Re: From the PTO to a firm
« Reply #1 on: Sep 28th, 2006, 9:37am » |
 Quote  Modify
|
on Sep 28th, 2006, 8:40am, Malian wrote:| This is a specific question to those who have transitioned from the PTO to work for a firm. I recently received an offer from an IP firm to work as a student associate. A bit of background: I've been at the PTO for 3 years, am doing rather well with above 130% production and just started my second year at law school. I wanted to collect a few opinions about the pros and cons of making the move. I think I've flushed out most. |
|
I made such a transition relatively recently. Your situation differs from mine in that you are still in law school so the life style issues are going to depend on how much work the firm intends for you to do as a student associate. I would generally expect the firm to be more accomodating of your status as a student than would the PTO. That might translate to you being able to do better in law school which could bode well for your future prospects.
Quite frankly, if your ultimate goal is to leave the PTO, the sooner you leave the better. At three years in, I'd suggest that you've just about maxed out on PTO experience that translates well to private practice experience unless you get some special detail like working on the BPAI. You're more likely to get career credit for being a student associate than for being a long term examiner. If you turn out to be as good a student associate as you are an examiner, the time spent as a student will enhance your professional reputation far more than will your time as an examiner.
But make sure that this firm is a good fit. I'm at my second firm and my experiences here are significantly different than my experiences at the first one. I'd won't discuss the details here, but feel free to send me a private message.
Good luck with your decision.
|
|
IP Logged |
Isaac
|
|
|
Guest
Guest
|
|
Re: From the PTO to a firm
« Reply #2 on: Oct 4th, 2006, 9:17pm » |
Quote Modify
 Remove
|
You got into a law firm. Isn't that where you were headed by going to law school?
You made it. You're set. Take the job, and be glad you never have to work at the PTO again.
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
patento
Full Member
Posts: 132
|
|
Re: From the PTO to a firm
« Reply #3 on: Oct 8th, 2006, 6:12pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Well, there are few obvious differences... in the law firm you actually have to put your mind to work (unlike working at PTO where examiners use triple play to achieve or exceed the quota by disregarding everything except the "quota"). You will have to read and write carefully (for instance, you will now need to read the specification before prosecuting an application). The sentences such as "under a similar rationale, other claims are also being rejected" and "applicant's arguments have been considered but are deemed nonpursuasive" will not work any longer because for the first time, you will actually have to explain things in sufficient legal details by the use of facts and the law. The prior arts that used to make sense to you at the PTO will no longer to be found bearing any actual resemblance to the claimed invention.
In nutshell, if you can leave quota busting and clueless prosecution habits, you will be ok.
on Sep 28th, 2006, 8:40am, Malian wrote:This is a specific question to those who have transitioned from the PTO to work for a firm. I recently received an offer from an IP firm to work as a student associate. A bit of background: I've been at the PTO for 3 years, am doing rather well with above 130% production and just started my second year at law school. I wanted to collect a few opinions about the pros and cons of making the move. I think I've flushed out most.
There are obvious ones such as flexibility, quality of life and promotional and bonus structure at the PTO compared with the "prestige", more money (immediately and in the future) and the diversity of work (prosecution, litigation, opinion work) at a firm. Are there any that are less obvious? Anyone willing to talk about their experiences? Any tips, help personal anecdotes would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks! |
|
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
guest
Guest
|
|
Re: From the PTO to a firm
« Reply #4 on: Oct 9th, 2006, 7:49am » |
Quote Modify
Remove
|
Yes, the PTO is just filled with total idiots who know nothing and do nothing.
Sad i have to read posts like the last one, where vain people use this forum to tout their self-claimed superiority.
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
|
|
Forums
Help
Search
Members
Calendar
Login
Register
Reply
Send Topic
Print