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[markushgroup]

All:
Just wanted to know your opinion on this. After reading the salary ranges and differences between becoming a patent agent and patent attorney, I'm about a "hair pull trigger away" from saying "up yours" to my law school if I pass the patent bar (kind of a variation to Johnny Paycheck's "Take This Job and Shove It" song back in the 80's).

One, I'm not willing to shell out an additional $60 or so grand on what I see is relatively little difference between an agent and an attorney.

Two, I'm in one of the nation's worst law schools (a near bottom of the barrel scraping). They treat their students likewise and generally, I'm not comfortable in this mediocre environment. I'll give you a hint: it's the nation's biggest law school.

I've already completed 30 credit hours at this place.

Going back to the subject, I know I won't be able to own or become a partner in a law firm if I became a pat agent. Big deal.

But, being the careful type that I am, I'm looking for input/advice from the rest of the group before I hope into any major decisions.

Finally, this list serv has given me plenty of information and advice and I'm grateful for it.

Best regards
M

[Isaac]

All:
Just wanted to know your opinion on this. After reading the salary ranges and differences between becoming a patent agent and patent attorney, I'm about a "hair pull trigger away" from saying "up yours" to my law school if I pass the patent bar (kind of a variation to Johnny Paycheck's "Take This Job and Shove It" song back in the 80's).

One thing to note is that the discussion was about starting salaries.   Agent/attorney salaries 5 or more yrs down the road are probably going to be more widely disparate.

Agent and attorney jobs and opportunities are different in other important ways besides just the pay.

Two, I'm in one of the nation's worst law schools (a near bottom of the barrel scraping). They treat their students likewise and generally, I'm not comfortable in this mediocre environment. I'll give you a hint: it's the nation's biggest law school.

I suppose that you've given enough info to figure out what school you attend.   I found a number of law schools that claim to be among the largest, but they vary widely in quality and reputation.   Please don't name the school just to satisfy my curiousity.

You know your situation better than anyone else.

[BSEE]

hello all,

im a patent agent who's considering to attend a law school.
i wanna be a partner someday... but im afraid of failing lsat and law school. just heard alot of sh**z how hard it is to survive...

what should i do ?

is it even worth going to a low-ranked law school ??

thanks in advance...

[guest]

Hi:
Your best bet would be to take a LSAT prep course such as Kaplan or Testmasters (no, I have no affiliation) and study the heck out of these courses and get the absolute best possible score that you can. If you have to, spend a year doing this. Going to law school is an expensive proposition and unlike the lower tier law schools, the higher tiered ones don't have a tendency to eject you out.

JMHO. I made this mistake and I'm now finding our the hard way.

[xfer]

you seem bitter about cooley.....i went there and transferred out.  if that's an option...do it.

[Bill Richards]

I think everyone's situation is unique.  I went part-time to a regional law school as a second career.  At age 56 I received two quality offers, both from high-end firms.  I went with one and then later as in-house counsel for a large R&D organization.  Now, I'm on my own.
Bottom line, you need the strength of your convictions and the courage to fight through the inevitable obstacles.  Good luck!

[guest]

you seem bitter about cooley.....i went there and transferred out.  if that's an option...do it.

Well, yes I am  bitter. And unfortunately, that option is not open to me. If others can learn from my mistake, at least something good can only come from it. Good for you on transferring out.

[SoCalAttny]

I recommend finishing law school and passing both bar exams. It does make a difference in the opportunities for employment and work type. Without the JD & bar you end up a second class citizen in any firm.

[biopico]

markushgroup:

If your law school is ABA-accredidated, isn't it worth already?

I have seen people who are doing fine even after graduation from non-ABA law schools.

In a job, quality matters with or without JD.  I would also recommend you finishing your school.

After my PhD many many years ago, now I am trying to pursue JD.  

Good luck to you!

[gritz]

" Well, yes I am  bitter. And unfortunately, that option is not open to me."

You sound like a defeatist. 30 credit hours in there is no reason why you cant transfer somewhere better. To be a good lawyer you need to push yourself and make things happen for you. Sound like you dont have the stomach or the stones to do that. Good Luck as a patent agent.

[LF]

Markush:

So, did you pass?

[Markush]

Markush:

So, did you pass?

Yep! Looking thru the want ads now. Good luck to you all. P.S. I won't comment about the 30 unit situation. Hey, I'm on AP but now that I got my USPTO ticket, who the heck cares? Ha ha!

[LF]

Congrats!

[biopico]

Yep! Looking thru the want ads now. Good luck to you all. P.S. I won't comment about the 30 unit situation. Hey, I'm on AP but now that I got my USPTO ticket, who the heck cares? Ha ha!

So are you quitting law school?

[Markush]

So are you quitting law school?

Of course!!! Why would I want to spend needless extra thousands of dollars on law school when I can be making money now with my new-found patent license?

I'm pretty sure that within 2 years I should be making around $100g's give or take. Remember that I can make just as much as my counterpart patent associate attorney. I have no expenses (save for the law school debt that I incurred). That will be quickly paid off.

I live a fairly modest lifestyle and have no family or children to take care of. I'll search for a modestly priced house, pay that off, get my toys (like this 427 Kirkham Cobra I've been eyeing), hang on to my 99 Honda Civic as my grocery getter, and do some other investments. I figure in 3 years I'll be debt free and in 7 to 10 years, amass a small fortune to the point that I can take or leave my patent agent job as I please.

Why should I continue to go to law school? A previous poster says, that one should have the "stones" to do both?

Nawwww....I think it's a no brainer. Take the money and run!

If I'm going to be doing essentially the same exact thing as a patent attorney, I might as well get paid for it NOW!

Think about it! It costs more than 50 times the amount of money to get into IP law by going to law school instead of forking over a simple $2000 or so for a Kayton's PRG course, paying the fees to the PTO/Prometrics, and passing the exam and going to work.

I know I'll have many disagreements with others but quite frankly, we all have our opinions. With all due respect to my soon to be ex fellow law school students, you'll still be studying, burning daylight and midnight candles, IRAC-ing and being scared about getting called on in class to brief a case, looking at your books, doing your outlines, preparing for your finals and trying to pass some state bar (and still sucking on that every growing student loan debt).

I'll be deep into learning how to execute provisional, utility, design, and PCT applications for clients, answering office actions, dealing with clients and making fairly good money at the same time.

Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this one out. Good luck and good night. M.