Material Science PhD---Question regarding patent bar/career path

[Seebs26]

Hello everyone, I am currently working on PhD in Material Science and Engineering, with prior degrees in chemistry and forensic science.  I have a strong interest into become a Patent Agent/and or Attorney.

I recently have attended an ACS conference and spoke with various patent attorneys. For the most part I was talking to them about the difference with getting a PhD while passing the patent bar, and then work in industry/or law firm and get a law degree while working versus getting a Masters and attending law school full time while passing the patent bar during this time instead.  I've read numorous sites and spoke with people and kind of just hear a million different things. I just wanted to ask a few questions on here and see what people think.

First, what do you think about the idea of getting a PhD, passing the patent bar, and going to work as a patent agent with a strong science chemistry background and attaining a law degree later on, thus leaving other options open in case this hole IP law does not work out.

What do you suggest are the best options for studying for the patent bar. Keep in mind I am a graduate student working relatively long hours on stipend of around 20,000 a year, (AKA im broke!  ) I dont mind saving and paying but I do not think 2,000 is really an option to spend at this point.  Flexability would also be nice, as at some weeks im required to work day and night if a deadline or article is due.

I really appreciate any advice/opinions anyone can offer me!!

[Jim_W]

Career advice: you'll do well if the market is good and you can get that first patent prosecution job. No idea when that will be so I can't tell you the best time to be emerging from school other than "not now or any time in the near future." None the choices you presented would make a difference for substantive reasons. You've got sufficient scientific background to get hired in a decent market IMO, with or without the MechE doctorate.

Best option for the patent bar is to keep in mind that the best study materials are the ones the patent office provides in the form of old tests. Familiarize yourself with the questions from all of them and with the format. All the courses for the patent bar are expensive as hell and not worth it IMO. Steal/borrow/ebay the PLI materials if you absolutely feel you need guidance. Total cost for materials for both my state bar and the patent bar was about 400 bucks off ebay.  Passed both.

Oh and do yourself a favor and set aside maybe a month of part time to study for the patent bar. If you can get ahold of the PLI test simulator CD for a low amount of money, I'd strongly advise it. It's the stuff the USPTO gives out but in a more computerized format that makes it slightly easier to go over mistakes. IMO (which may be incorrect) that testing CD is the only really useful thing you get from PLI.

[Seebs26]

Thank you for the reply.

I guess in a way, getting a PhD can buy some time through the recession. I feel it also leaves more doors open for me in case patent law does not work out. In the meantime I will find a month and study hard in order to pass the patent bar. My university has patent attorneys/agents working for them. I can see if it is possible to intern (for free it doesnt matter) or at least talk with them.

I will look for the PLI simulator CD. Have you heard of the OmniPrep stuff? What are your thoughts on it? It seems reasonably priced.