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[tsuria]

I have a question for some of you on this forum. I am currently a 2nd year Mechanical Engineering student in Canada, and I was curious about a couple of things:

1). First of all is a mechanical engineering degree and a patent law combination a good one? Is there a significant demand for that combo?

2). Are there other types of law that are suitable also for someone who has an Mechanical Engineering degree (such as buisness law etc...)?

I realise these are general questions but the reality is that i have become very interested in these topics recently in planning for post undergrad education and I would appreciate some advice to point me in the right direction.
Thanks for your reply's
Taha Suria
University of Western Ontario.
Mechanical Engineering

[bemaha]

The demand for mechanical engineer/patent attorneys is not as high as it is for patent attorneys with other technical backgrounds, such as computer or electrical engineering.  Unfortunately, aside from the automobile and airplane designers, no one is really focusing on cutting edge mechanical ideas.

I, for one, earned a masters degree in mechanical engineering and at the time had no plans to pursue patent law.  However, while attending law school, I learned more and more about the field, and realized that my background was a good fit.  To be honest, it was difficult to get a job with a law firm right out of law school because my technical background wasn't that desirable, so I worked as a Patent Examiner at the U.S. Patent Office for a couple years, and then moved on to a firm from there.

The mechanical engineering field is pretty broad, and includes semiconductor device processing and design and nanotechnology, which are both pretty hot right now.  That's where I found my niche, anyway.  But, even though you may be fully capable of working in these fields with a mechanical engineering degree, keep in mind that most law firms won't look at you for the simple fact that you have a mechanical engineering degree, and not an electrical engineering degree.  I suppose they want to impress potential clients by showing how many attorneys they have on staff with electrical/computer engineering degrees.

So, my advice to you if you want to pursue patent law is to get another type of engineering degree besides mechanical (and definitely stay away from civil engineering).  I think even materials engineering might be better, even though that is sort of a sub-major of mechanical engineering.

As far as other fields of law, perhaps you can try construction law, which requires some technical know-how.  I don't know too much about it, but a friend of mine recently made the switch from patent law to construction law with no problem, and he seems to be really enjoying it (much more than patent law, I'm afraid).

I'm sure someone with a bit more experience can give you more info, but I hope this helps.  Good luck!!

[ruby]

bemaha,

Do you know a computer science degree with 2 years of software and 3 years of telecommunication industry experience would be a good combination with patent law? I want to pass the patent bar exam and become a patent agent first to gain some experience. And then I may go to law school to pursue the law degree. What do you think? Is it easy to get a job once I become a registered patent agent even without previous experience?

Thanks for your comment

[bemaha]

Ruby,

I'm no expert, but I would say that you have a pretty good background for patent law.  Telecom and computer experience is real good, expecially in this market.  You could probably get hired as a technical advisor at a law firm, and if you get real lucky and a larger firm brings you on maybe they could pay for your law shcool.  But either way you would definitely be getting the experience you need.  You could even go to law school at night while you work as a patent agent.  Sounds overwhelming, but you would be set when you finally got your law degree.

I don't know how easy it would be to get a job as a patent agent or technical advisor.  It probably depends somewhat on where you are located.  I would say you might have better luck in areas like D.C. and Silicon Valley, where there is a large concentration of IP people.  So really it somes down to how flexible you are.

My best advice would be to take it easy and don't be so anxious to get into the fast lane.  I remember when I first graduated from law school  I had all these degrees and no experience, and I started freaking out (not to mention the school loans).  Looking back now at the big picture, I see that people eventually get to where they want to go, but everyone follows a different road.  Some roads of course are longer than others, but so what.  Remember, anyone with an engineering degree and a law degree is always marketable, and with that kind of background, your potential is limitless.  Good luck!!!

[JimIvey]

Dear Ruby,

I'm a CS major and the work is certainly out there.  I see your background as being a rather good one for a patent practice -- particularly in the SF Bay area.  Telecom is huge in the North Bay (Petaluma and surrounding communities up to Santa Rosa).

Finding work is always challenging for new practitioners with the demand being primarily for people with a few years of work experience as a patent practitioner.

Currently, the market seems to be divided between big firms and patent agents going out on their own, with not much in between.  I see the in-between as a large, yet unmet need in the industry -- but I've gone into detail on that before in this forum so I won't do it again.  And I'm starting to see organizations starting up in that middle ground, so if and when I'm there too, I won't be the only player.

Generally, two things will add value to you as a practitioner to be hired (as opposed to value in the eyes of potential clients).  One is an impressive pedigree from a well-known and respected law school.  The other is a nice "bill of business" -- a nice collection of paying, happy clients.

It seems like either of those two things is at least a couple years away for you.

Personally, when I look for people to work with, my priorities are technical literacy and writing ability.  Familiarity with patent law is equally important but the easiest of the 3 to pick up.  I'm guessing that technical literacy is not a problem for you.

Good luck!

Regards.