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[DavidZ]

This is my first time posting. A little about myself: I am a 2L at Georgetown Law, seeking to pursue a career in patent law with. I, however, have no technical background. I am planning to drop to part time, take courses in computer science at the University (as well as the two mandatory physics courses required for passing the patent bar). I was wondering: Even supposing I take enough courses to sit for the patent bar and am able to pass it, what are my chances of finding a job in patent prosecution? Members of this forum have undergraduate degrees, and even masters and phds, in a technical/science field. I do not: my undergraduate degree was in liberal arts, with a focus on philosophy and ancient greek; and I have a masters, but again not in a technical field. Also, something else to consider is that my GPA at Georgetown Law is pretty low, i.e. 2.9, although my undergrad GPA is a 3.67 and my MA GPA is 3.9. In addition, I have a fair amount of student loan debt and, so, extending my schooling longer would increase that. I would need a job paying above 65k in order to be able to repay my loans. Any career advice/help you guys can offer would be greatly, greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Isaac]

Even supposing I take enough courses to sit for the patent bar and am able to pass it, what are my chances of finding a job in patent prosecution?

What makes you think you have any particular desire or aptitude to work in a technical area?

I would need a job paying above 65k in order to be able to repay my loans.

Is this really about the money?

[Physgeek]

In addition, I have a fair amount of student loan debt and, so, extending my schooling longer would increase that. I would need a job paying above 65k in order to be able to repay my loans. Any career advice/help you guys can offer would be greatly, greatly appreciated. Thanks!

IMHO, if you are in law school and are afraid of not being able to pay your loans, I say cut and run--finish law school as soon as possible, with the highest GPA you possibly can. Don't let yourself get distracted by science classes. If you can find a stable law job after you pass the bar, that would be the time to start thinking about patent law. You can always take the science classes later. You only get one chance to get good grades in law school.

Do you have a summer associate gig?

Physgeek

[DavidZ]

"IMHO, if you are in law school and are afraid of not being able to pay your loans, I say cut and run--finish law school as soon as possible, with the highest GPA you possibly can. Don't let yourself get distracted by science classes. If you can find a stable law job after you pass the bar, that would be the time to start thinking about patent law. You can always take the science classes later. You only get one chance to get good grades in law school.

Do you have a summer associate gig?

Physgeek"

Well--that is sort of the problem: I have yet to find a summer associate position. But, it is not simply about the money, as Isaac suggested. I genuinely have an interest in patent law. As to whether I have an aptitude for it, I've taken symbolic logic courses and worked as a webdesigner for several years; so, I figure I won't have too much trouble with computer programing etc. But, that is sort of the purpose of school for me, namely, to explore areas of interest and figure out what I'm good at.

[Isaac]

I genuinely have an interest in patent law.

The question is whether you are really interest in patent prosecution in particular.  I'm sure you are a very smart guy, but there's probably a reason why you've avoided math and science since leaving high school.

As to whether I have an aptitude for it, I've taken symbolic logic courses and worked as a webdesigner for several years; so, I figure I won't have too much trouble with computer programing etc.

I'd submit that your experience so far hasn't said much about how well you'd do in a computer science curriculum. 

[UVAgal4]

Well, patents aren't necessarily technical (business methods, plants, design, etc.) There may be some hope.

[Isaac]

Well, patents aren't necessarily technical (business methods, plants, design, etc.) There may be some hope.

Becoming a patent attorney with the intention of avoiding technical issues doesn't sound like a viable career choice.

I think the outcome of Bilski is that business method patents are technical now.  I doubt that a computer science education is going to help much with those other things.

My remarks were probably overly harsh, but I'm hoping that DavidZ will make an informed choice about what to pursue.

[Physgeek]

I suggest that you write down a theoretical schedule of all the classes you will need to take to both finish law school and fulfill the USPTO requirements to sit for the patent bar. Then be honest with yourself and decide whether it's realistic.

Looking at Georgetown's requirements, assuming that you finish your second year this semester, you still need a minimum of 24-32 credits (12-16 credits per semester) to finish your JD.

Assuming that you have zero technical credits right now, you will have to complete a minimum of 40 credits under Category B option 4.

How long will it realistically take you to finish all of that? Two full years? Two and a half? Three? Upper division undergrad courses in science/tech are often only held once per year, and sometimes only allow students in the department to take them (i.e., no continuing ed students). Will there be scheduling conflicts?

Assuming it only takes you one extra year to finish, you will still have lost at least $65k+ in potential income, plus added a serious amount of extra debt. How much extra debt would you have? $30k? $40k? Would that keep you up at night?

Your law school GPA will follow you for the rest of your life. If you really think you want to do patent law, take some patent drafting classes and get A's. Put the web design experience on your CV when you apply for jobs after you finish law school.

Do what you think is right, but don't go into it blindly.

[AnotherCog]

I would need a job paying above 65k in order to be able to repay my loans.

If that's your goal and you're serious about engineering/CS, then drop out now and become an engineer or programmer.  There are plenty of starting jobs in those fields that pay that kind of money. 

[Aviator Lawyer]

I don't think the cat B is too bad of idea. It is 30 extra credits and you might only become catB but the trade-off is that you are from a top law school.

I wouldn't recommend non calculus physics because it can limit future opportunities and the time investment is the same. Well except that you need to take calculus first. I am not sure what comp. Science requirement are but I know that unless you are going the biology route calc. Physics is required for basically everything else.

[Team_RamRod]

I don't think the cat B is too bad of idea. It is 30 extra credits and you might only become catB but the trade-off is that you are from a top law school.

I wouldn't recommend non calculus physics because it can limit future opportunities and the time investment is the same. Well except that you need to take calculus first. I am not sure what comp. Science requirement are but I know that unless you are going the biology route calc. Physics is required for basically everything else.

Qualifying for the patent bar is necessary to becoming a patent attorney, to be sure, but I imagine having B.S. in XYZ engineering counts for a lot, if even from only a marketing standpoint.

[still_learnin]

Qualifying for the patent bar is necessary to becoming a patent attorney, to be sure, but I imagine having B.S. in XYZ engineering counts for a lot, if even from only a marketing standpoint.

I think is an important point.  The patent bar is necessary but hardly sufficient for breaking into patent law in today's economy -- or even the forseeable future.

I'd expect law firms to prefer a candidate with a "real" engineering or science degree over a candidate with a smattering of science, math, and computer courses. If for no other reason than a candidate with a "real" degree is easy to categorize -- "gee, we need a EE".  In contrast, it takes time and effort for the law firm to determine whether the courses taken by the guy without the "real" degree has a background appropriate for the firm's needs.

[Aviator Lawyer]

Qualifying for the patent bar is necessary to becoming a patent attorney, to be sure, but I imagine having B.S. in XYZ engineering counts for a lot, if even from only a marketing standpoint.

I think is an important point.  The patent bar is necessary but hardly sufficient for breaking into patent law in today's economy -- or even the forseeable future.

I'd expect law firms to prefer a candidate with a "real" engineering or science degree over a candidate with a smattering of science, math, and computer courses. If for no other reason than a candidate with a "real" degree is easy to categorize -- "gee, we need a EE".  In contrast, it takes time and effort for the law firm to determine whether the courses taken by the guy without the "real" degree has a background appropriate for the firm's needs.

Points taken, but this late in the game OP doesn't have that many options. CatB might be the best way to go right now if time is a factor.