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[Dean]

I would appreciate comments/critique about job prospects for licensed patent attorneys without practice experience.

Relevant background:

2002 honors graduate from top 20 IP law school. 7 CALI awards.

Passed both state Bar and USPTO exam on first effort.

BSEET, MBA, ASCIS (2).

20+ years engineering experience in electrical/computer arts, including both hardware and software design.

10 years automotive experience with major domestic manufacturer.

No legal practice experience.

55 years-old male caucasian.

Having been unable to find legal employment after over two years of effort, I would like to hear relevant comments. Obviously my age is the barrier, as there are no skeletons in the closet and my educational and experiential records are both excellent. Is this hopeless?

Thanks in advance for all comments/advice.

Dean

[Wiscagent]

Have you tried looking for academic or industry positions in IP strategy or licensing?  These positions may be in a legal group, but are more likely to be in engineering or R&D.  Most of the opportunities would be in large corporations that have significant patent portfolios.  

From time-to-time I see help wanted ads for "patent strategists", "intellectual property managers" and the like.  Your combination of industrial experience + legal training might be valuable for such jobs.

Wishing you success,

Richard Tanzer

[IPLVR]

Speaking of which does anyone know of any litigation positions for a 2003 grad with an M.S. Biotechnology and B.S. Biochemistry.  I have been trying the DC market and there is not too much....

[Isaac]

I find it a bit interesting the facts you consider relevant.
MBA, Male Caucasian, passed state and patent bar on first
attempt.  I think those things are of little relevance.  Huge
amounts of industry experience are not necessarily that attractive.
I think you need to get some experience and perhaps be prepared
to take a stab at being your own employer.  Letting your age
pile up without getting experience really is not working for you.

I'm a little younger than you, but still over 50.  I got some mentoring from
some practitioners who nursed me through some application prep
work, did a year at the PTO, and managed to land a job.  I
found that with some experience, my prospects picked up considerably.

[Dean]

Thanks for the advise/critique.

I have thought about the strategy/management arena and even managed to secure a phone interview for such a position with a sizeable corporation. Interestingly, the job was filled by a 27 year-old law school classmate with no experience and only average academic credentials.

I included the MC comment because it appears clearly relevant as evidenced by my knowledge of the backgrounds of several who have secured positions for which I interviewed and/or applied.

Apparently I have been naive about the benefits of significant engineering experience. I have heard from others as well that this may actually be a disadvantage rather than an advantage.

AS to the PTO: I have applied for about 12-15 positions at the PTO over the last 2 1/2 years without a single reply, and have stopped applying. I have heard from others that one needs inside assistance which I do not have. Is this so?

Clearly the mentoring/practice experience is good advice, and I am attempting to work something out in this area. My options are very limited, however, as I am employed full-time outside of the legal profession in order to maintain health care coverage. Work and my nearly 2 1/2 hour commute each day leaves little time for anything else.

Again, thanks for the reality check.

Dean

[guest]

I've often wondered how much age will affect my future prospects. I'm 38 now, will turn 39 in a few months, and am interviewing for a position at the USPTO. I'm studying for the Patent Exam and hope to finish that off within the year also (i know its not required for a USPTO position, but i still want to get it - i'm at about 60 questions correct on the UpStartRising practice tests). I've worked in the software industry for 10 years, have my MBA, yada-yada-yada.

If i get the job at the USPTO I intend to start law school (part-time) the following year (2006). That will make me 44 when I graduate law school. I'm hoping that my USPTO experience helps me in my job search and will soften the impact of my age. Any input?

[guest]

what if you already have a law degree and work at the PTO for a few years right out of school...do law firms show interest in patent examiner/attorneys...is the initial experience something they look favorably upon?

[Isaac]

Some look favorably on examiner experience and some don't.
I've seen some job postings which specifically indicate the
desirability of examiner experience.

[software agent]

You may also think about the region.  When I was in midwest, I got several interviews, while when I moved to NYC metro area, my job search slowed down.

My experience has been that it is easier to find jobs in smaller towns than in large cities for entry level agents like me.

If others can share their experience in the same, it would be most appreciated.

[Dean]

Thanks to all who offered advice.

I currently live in the midwest and am actively divesting of my real property so as to increase flexibility.

The advice of Wiscagent is well taken and, I believe, specfically appropriate in my situation.

The market is tough and getting the experience necessary to secure a patent prosecution position with a law firm without connections or other policy-related advantages is quite a hurdle. It has proven to be much more of a hurdle than has been law school. the state bar, or the USPTO exam.

Would still appreciate the relevant comments of all others.

Dean

[daven]

I forget what it's called but isn't there a big IP job fair in Chicago every year?

[PiP]

You can potentially make connections through an IP office at a major university.  At the very least call up the attorneys there and take them out to lunch to ask advice and questions.  All research universities have these and this might be a great opp to learn/build credentials while you divest your property (I don't know how far along you are.)  

I worked at an IP office while getting my PhD and got connected to a law firm through one of the attorneys in the office.  Was a fantastic experience!  Plus, you don't have to kill yourself with long hours if you are in a University affiliated IP office.