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[Pagent04]

Is it possible to go from a big firm to a small firm back to a big firm?  Or does the time at the small firm preclude going back?

Edit to say that going back does not mean same firm.

[blakesq]

yes. no.

[bleedingpen]

I think it is tough to do what you are suggesting. 

[klaviernista]

Is it possible to go from a big firm to a small firm back to a big firm?  Or does the time at the small firm preclude going back?

Edit to say that going back does not mean same firm.

It can happen.  Depends on the firm(s) in question, and the attorney's role in the small firm.

For example, at my old firm one of "of counsel" attorneys started out with a HUGE general practice firm.  After 10 years there and making partner, he left to become in house counsel for a fairly large corporation.  5 years later, he left that position to join a small but reputable firm in state that is not known at a hot bed of IP.  5 years after that, he joined my old firm as in an "of counsel" role.

Granted, a lot of factors played into this particular person's favor.  He had ~20 years of experience at all levels of the IP game, and had high level contacts with a big corporation (which he eventually brought on board as a client)

[Pagent04]

I was asking more about agents rather than attorneys.  It does not seem like it would be easy to leave a partnership track at a big firm, go small, and then go back.

[bleedingpen]

I was asking more about agents rather than attorneys.  It does not seem like it would be easy to leave a partnership track at a big firm, go small, and then go back.

I think Agents will have an easier time with this than attorneys.

[blakesq]

Agents cannot be partners at big law firms.  Only lawyers can.

I was asking more about agents rather than attorneys.  It does not seem like it would be easy to leave a partnership track at a big firm, go small, and then go back.

[Kaitlin]

Agents cannot be partners at big law firms.  Only lawyers can.

Same is true for any sized firm. 

[blakesq]

I disagree.  If you have a law firm that ONLY does patent prep and prosecution, then I think an agent can be a partner in such a law firm.  See Sperry v. Florida.  However I have never heard of such a law firm. 

Agents cannot be partners at big law firms.  Only lawyers can.

Same is true for any sized firm.