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[chemelaw]

Hey everyone,

This is my first post to the boards here. I apologize if this has been answered before, but I haven't mastered the search function entirely and couldn't find it if it has.

i am graduating with a chemical engineering degree in may and will be able to attend a t14 law school at sticker or a t25 with a substantial scholarship. I know the legal market has been hit hard and is no where near to recovering, but have heard whispers that the IP field is a little different. The focus, however, has been on EE's, with an emphasis on PhDs for bio people. How do ChemEs fair in this?

Assuming the worst and I find only doc review on graduation from law school, would it be particularly difficult returning to the engineering field? I've had Internships and part time work in the oil and gas industry, so I wouldn't be completely new to it.

Thank you

[trustme]

Chem Es are not in demand as entry-level patent attorneys, in my opinion. From what I can tell from looking at the ads, the work is not there for them. Now, maybe if you have more of a material science or a EE focus, you might be better placed. I get the impression that your experience is similar to mine, so I would be very, very cautious about going to law school.
All engineers going to law school think think they'll be in the coveted top 10%, but you'd be amazed at how many English and Philosophy majors will knock you on your ass in law school. The way an engineer's mind works does not jib fully with the way an attorney thinks.


Also, have a believable story ready for why you want to return to engineering.

I spent 10 years as a chemical engineer in refining and then went to law school, couldn't find a job, then tried to get back to engineering. Interviews were far and few between, despite my great engineering experience. When I asked one interviewer if there was anything about my resume that troubled him, he said "yeah, you're a lawyer."

And you might have a little trouble getting that first engineering job, but once you have a couple of years of solid experience, you'll be making good bucks and will be in demand. I can guarantee that. Why don't you go to work for UOP? They have an excellent training program.

[NJ Patent1]

If ur going to go back, go back sooner rather than later.  Technology marches on.  Can U keep-up with technology AND the law?  Can U prove it?  Who will write the reference that ur up-to-speed on latest and greatest?  There are jobs out there for ChemEs.  Just not as many as for EEs and CompScis.