Re: Re: patent bar exam - patbar.com - prospects for patent agents

Subject: Re: Re: Re: patent bar exam - patbar.com - prospects for patent agents

Comments:
: : : I am an electrical engineer and have no knowledge of the law. : : : It seems that most people taking the pat bar are on their way to law school. : : : Three questions: : : : 1) Is the patbar.com course sufficient to pass the test or does it assume some knowledge of the law? : : : : It assumes that you have no prior knowledge of the law. I used it to pass the Oct 2001 exam. : : : : : I know that some have critisezed this course as it does not prepare one to write patents. These are seperate issues. First pass the test. Second learn how to become a patent agent by working for an experienced : : : attorney or patent agent. : : It does not exist to teach one to write patents, only to pass the test. Experience is the way to learn how to write. : : : 2) What is the career outlook for patent agents who do not intend to go to law school? : : It seems to me if you want to work in a law firm you will be expected to go to law school. Many in house law depts in industry you can work as a patent agent without the expectation to go to law school. I could be wrong, it just appears to be that way. : : : 3) Any thoughts on starting salaries for an electrical/biomedical engineer with 10 years of engineering experience but no patent experience. : : ??? : 60-75k is doable. More in Law firms. for 1800 billable hr min, with "cuts" of as much as 30% or more. 1800 billables for a new guy will be 2571 hrs at 30% cuts or a 51 hour week for 50 weeks. Law firms are pyamids. They bill you out at say $150/hr, you get maybe 30%, the partner gets maybe 33%, and "the firm" gets the rest. at 1800 billables, at $45, thats 81k at a firm for 51 hours work per week at which you get 30% of the take. How's that? Corporate jobs are better, but the competition is intense. Opening your own office, well keep malpractice in mind, and know you CANNOT draft oaths, decs, or assigments as a Patent Agent is NOT an attorney. Also learning to write competant, not great, but simply competant patent takes years of apprenticeship training. : The best bet is to let your bar registration work for you while working as an engineer as it will help you on the management track and raise your worth to the company.

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