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[anom217]

What is the average compensation for someone coming out of a T14 in the IP/patent field at starting level, mid-career, partner...that kind of thing? Is there a bit difference between comp at a general biglaw firm and at an IP boutique?

[klaviernista]

What is the average compensation for someone coming out of a T14 in the IP/patent field at starting level, mid-career, partner...that kind of thing? Is there a bit difference between comp at a general biglaw firm and at an IP boutique?

Too many unstated variables to provide an accurate estimate.  Factors such as firm location, size, job duties, etc. all come into play.  Depending on those variables, the salary range for a new patent associate could range from $75k-145k.

[anom217]

What is the average compensation for someone coming out of a T14 in the IP/patent field at starting level, mid-career, partner...that kind of thing? Is there a bit difference between comp at a general biglaw firm and at an IP boutique?

Too many unstated variables to provide an accurate estimate.  Factors such as firm location, size, job duties, etc. all come into play.  Depending on those variables, the salary range for a new patent associate could range from $75k-145k.

Thanks.

Let me narrow it down some then: let's say in NYC or DC, doing patent prosecution for either a large biglaw firm or for an IP boutique. And how much more does patent litigation pay? What are starting and mid-career salaries like.

[klaviernista]

Let me narrow it down some then: let's say in NYC or DC, doing patent prosecution for either a large biglaw firm or for an IP boutique. And how much more does patent litigation pay? What are starting and mid-career salaries like.

Technology area?  EE, Biotech, Chem?

A reasonable expectation would be $120-135k in Biglaw or a large boutique (Finnegan, Oblon, Fish, etc.), and 10-15k less in a smaller IP boutique.  Starting salaries for prosecutors and litigators are usually about the same.  The difference is that litigators have a signfiicantly higher upside.  A 5th year prosecution associate will generally not earn as much as a fifth year litigation associate.  The magnitude of the difference is individual and firm specific.  Could be 5k, 50k, 150k, or more.  Then again, the litigation associates have a horrific schedule that most prosecution associates do not have to deal with.

[anom217]

Let me narrow it down some then: let's say in NYC or DC, doing patent prosecution for either a large biglaw firm or for an IP boutique. And how much more does patent litigation pay? What are starting and mid-career salaries like.

Technology area?  EE, Biotech, Chem?

A reasonable expectation would be $120-135k in Biglaw or a large boutique (Finnegan, Oblon, Fish, etc.), and 10-15k less in a smaller IP boutique.  Starting salaries for prosecutors and litigators are usually about the same.  The difference is that litigators have a signfiicantly higher upside.  A 5th year prosecution associate will generally not earn as much as a fifth year litigation associate.  The magnitude of the difference is individual and firm specific.  Could be 5k, 50k, 150k, or more.  Then again, the litigation associates have a horrific schedule that most prosecution associates do not have to deal with.

Thanks, this is the kind of info I was looking for. What about a background in Computer Science? Is that a sought-after/lucrative technology area to be in?

[Evil In House Counsel]

Let me narrow it down some then: let's say in NYC or DC, doing patent prosecution for either a large biglaw firm or for an IP boutique. And how much more does patent litigation pay? What are starting and mid-career salaries like.

Technology area?  EE, Biotech, Chem?

A reasonable expectation would be $120-135k in Biglaw or a large boutique (Finnegan, Oblon, Fish, etc.), and 10-15k less in a smaller IP boutique.  Starting salaries for prosecutors and litigators are usually about the same.  The difference is that litigators have a signfiicantly higher upside.  A 5th year prosecution associate will generally not earn as much as a fifth year litigation associate.  The magnitude of the difference is individual and firm specific.  Could be 5k, 50k, 150k, or more.  Then again, the litigation associates have a horrific schedule that most prosecution associates do not have to deal with.

at a boutique, prosecutors may make more. at my old boutique firm, prosecution associates started out about 10k higher than litigators, received larger raises, received larger bonuses, had higher billing rates. that may have been driven by the fact that the prosecution dept always had literally more work than it could do while the litigators were never as busy, but still, something to consider.

[AnotherCog]

Let me narrow it down some then: let's say in NYC or DC, doing patent prosecution for either a large biglaw firm or for an IP boutique. And how much more does patent litigation pay? What are starting and mid-career salaries like.

Technology area?  EE, Biotech, Chem?

A reasonable expectation would be $120-135k in Biglaw or a large boutique (Finnegan, Oblon, Fish, etc.), and 10-15k less in a smaller IP boutique.  Starting salaries for prosecutors and litigators are usually about the same.  The difference is that litigators have a signfiicantly higher upside.  A 5th year prosecution associate will generally not earn as much as a fifth year litigation associate.  The magnitude of the difference is individual and firm specific.  Could be 5k, 50k, 150k, or more.  Then again, the litigation associates have a horrific schedule that most prosecution associates do not have to deal with.

Thanks, this is the kind of info I was looking for. What about a background in Computer Science? Is that a sought-after/lucrative technology area to be in?

It all depends.  A degree in computer science is about as hot as it gets right now.  A "background" in computer science, however, is a much tougher sell - especially coming out of the starting gate.

[anom217]

Let me narrow it down some then: let's say in NYC or DC, doing patent prosecution for either a large biglaw firm or for an IP boutique. And how much more does patent litigation pay? What are starting and mid-career salaries like.

Technology area?  EE, Biotech, Chem?

A reasonable expectation would be $120-135k in Biglaw or a large boutique (Finnegan, Oblon, Fish, etc.), and 10-15k less in a smaller IP boutique.  Starting salaries for prosecutors and litigators are usually about the same.  The difference is that litigators have a signfiicantly higher upside.  A 5th year prosecution associate will generally not earn as much as a fifth year litigation associate.  The magnitude of the difference is individual and firm specific.  Could be 5k, 50k, 150k, or more.  Then again, the litigation associates have a horrific schedule that most prosecution associates do not have to deal with.

Thanks, this is the kind of info I was looking for. What about a background in Computer Science? Is that a sought-after/lucrative technology area to be in?

It all depends.  A degree in computer science is about as hot as it gets right now.  A "background" in computer science, however, is a much tougher sell - especially coming out of the starting gate.

By background I implied degree, so that's good to know. I wasn't sure if CS was looked upon as favorably as something with "engineering" in the title.

[klaviernista]

By back ground I implied degree, so that's good to know. I wasn't sure if CS was looked upon as favorably as something with "engineering" in the title.

EE is still the hot ticket in IP law.  But the market for CS is pretty strong.  Particularly if the emphasis was on the "science" and less on "programming."