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[Pagent04]

Is it unheard of to leave a firm as a patent agent to work inhouse while getting a jd and then going to a firm (not necessariyl the same firm)?  What if the inhouse position does not involve drafting or prosecuting patents?  Instead, the position is a liason between inventors and in house counsel? 

Also, is it possible to transition to inhouse patent attorney by working in this liason position while attending law school, or do most companies require firm attorney (rather than agent) experience?

[klaviernista]

It is not unheard of, particularly in the situation you described.  The rarer situation is where an attorney leaves to go in house, and then tries to go back to a firm after spending significant time (>2 years) as in-house counsel.

As to your second question, what experience a company looks for in potential in-house counsel depends on the company and the company's needs.  A larger company with many in-house counsel may be willing to take on an attorney with relatively little experience for an assistant GC position.  Similarly, if the company is seeking someone with specialized knowledge of patent prosecution, then they will likely factor in an attorney's prior experience as a patent agent.

[Pagent04]

Thanks for the helpful info, klaviernista.