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[collegebum1989]

Hi everyone,

Like everyone else, I'm at a transitional point in my career, where I recently graduated and need some guidance on how to begin my career (field, path, etc.). This forum, among other law forums have given me great guidance. But where general law forums provided me with law school advice, I wanted to get some feedback from patent attorneys on this forum, or recent graduates who've been through the process.

Background
I graduated last year with a Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering from a public university in 2011. I am currently working on completing my Master of Engineering, also in Biomedical Engineering from Cornell, and will be graduating after this upcoming semester. My undergrad GPA was 3.21, senior year GPA was 3.60, and my masters GPA is 3.94.

I have a lot of research experience as an undergrad, including working at a National Laboratory for 2 years, and conference presentations, but no publications. At Cornell, my research project is focused on electrophysiology, optics, and disease modeling.

Why IP?
My initial plan was to enter industry after doing my masters, but in BME, the general consensus is that you need an additional advanced degree since it is a new discipline (PhD or MBA). I abandoned the PhD route because I did not like laboratory bench research and it seemed like that is what most BME PhDs within industry end up doing. I was interested in IP because (1) biotech and BME are growing industries, with increasing technologies which requires Patent Attorneys who have sufficient backgrounds in BME, (2) I have always been interested in the scientific communication and policy where IP intersects. I have a strong interest in patent prosecution, and always enjoyed technical writing and reading scientific publications for research.


Patent Law?
When I speak to my friends in law school or discuss patent law in general law forums, the impression of patent law has always positive: "Patent Lawyers are always in demand", "salary is great", "technical backgrounds of patent lawyers makes them a hot commodity", "IP firms tend to dip lower in school rankings, and prestige due to technical skillset of patent lawyers".

But coming to this forum, it seems that there is a general negative/critical perspective of patent law. I know that EE is specially preferred by patent law firms, but how would a background in BME, with a graduate degree in engineering be perceived by law firms?


Year between Grad School and Law School
I plan on taking my LSAT in June 2012, and retaking in October 2012, if necessary. I have already started studying for the LSATs with the intention of applying for the 2013 cycle. I understand with my undergrad GPA, I need to do well to be considered for the tier 1 law schools. However, this means I have one year between my masters and law school. Which one of the following would be the most beneficial for my career after I complete law school?

A) International Engineering Research Fellowship for Biomedical Engineers (currently applying, funded) - collaborating research with professor at Harvard
B) Full-time job within the Biotechnology industry (medical devices, diagnostic devices)
C) Full-time Research position at a University
D) Non-paid internship at the USPTO
E) Study for Patent Bar and Take (maybe only during summer)


Thank you for any advice you can provide!

[MYK]

E+B.  There is no reason you need to devote months of full-time attention to passing the patent bar.  Most people do it after a couple of months of evenings, if that.

Edit: Meh.  Really, E+(A|B|C), any one of them would be fine.  I don't know why  you'd want to do D;  I doubt they would have you doing patent examining, which is what a lot of people do to get into patent prosecution.  Just handling paperwork wouldn't be all that educational.

[collegebum1989]

what about prospects for IP/Patent Law for people with BME backgrounds?

[bleedingpen]

what about prospects for IP/Patent Law for people with BME backgrounds?

There are jobs out there.  Not in great demand, but definitely doable.

[Crusher]

Option B will make you way more marketable than the rest.  Do B and build industry connections.