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[CS_Grad_thinking_of_IPLaw]

Hello all,

Over the last two weeks, after someone mentioned to me about the attractiveness of a patent law career, I have started considering it. I am thinking about going to law school to get a J.D. However, from what little research I have been able to do in the last couple of weeks, it seems like associates at law firms (which is what I would be after graduating I am assuming) work insane, crazy hours. It seems as though the only way you can have some time on your hands for your family/personal life is to work in a govt. related law agency, where the pay is bad, so it'd take me a long time to pay back my law school debts and would not make economic sense to switch from my present programming job.

Is my research correct? Does it apply to patent lawyers? So if I would like a good paycheck ($120K or more) without working insane > 70 hr weeks (I have a newborn, and I have evey intention of watching her grow up as much as I can), is patent law not for me?

Thank you all for any answers.

[guest]

Whatever you do, don't go to lawschool and get into patent law just for the money.  You can make an equally good salary doing other things.  Do some research, talk to as many people working in the field that you can.  Try to spend a week or so with a patent attorney if you can to get and idea of what it is they do - - not ALL patent attorneys are a slave for BIGLAW - - some choose to have a small solo prosecution practice and more of a balance of work and family life.  Hope this helps.

[Isaac]

One obstacle to make lifestyle choices as a patent attorney is the very steep learning curve.   IMO several years in a supervised setting is required before you are competent to handle the work on your own.   The firms that are willing to take on inexperienced patent practitioners know that their teaching efforts may ultimately benefit someone else.  My personal experience is that both small and large firms expect you to earn your keep during this "training period" by working fairly doggedly; particularly if your "keep" means $120k.  

After that period, you may be able to take jobs with a more liesurely salary vs. workload tradeoff or even try solo practice.