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[The Dude]

So I currently am a 1L.  top 60 law school school.  Big city.  I have a BS in Cell/Molecular Biology.  Real good understanding of the subject.  Did research for 2 years.  Gave presentations on my work.  I'm relatively sure that I will not be in the top quarter of my class.  So with everything I have read, it does not seem like I have many job prospects at all, let alone good jobs.  What do you think about just dropping out, working in a lab and paying off my debt?  Because it sounds like the much better option before i get in over my head.

[BotchedExperiment]

My advice, and I know it's cliche, is do what you enjoy doing.  BUT EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY, make sure you can pay off your debt when you're through qualifying for whatever it is you want to do.

I have a PhD in molecular biology/biochemistry, and from a financial aspect, the degree just doesn't make much sense.

[the dude]

debt shouldnt be too much of an issue, after i graduate from Law school i should only be about 50,000 in debt total from undergrad and the JD.

[BotchedExperiment]

If you graduate...

What I was (partially) saying is that trying to repay law-school debt on a research technicians salary is going to HURT.

Good luck.

P.S.  If I were you I'd stick it out.  If you're smart, amiable and willing to be absolutely tenacious in getting a job, you'll get one.

[PatentDave]

I graduated in the bottom half of a tier 3/4 law school.  It took me about 6 months to find a job as a Patent Attorney after I was admitted to the state bar.  But I did find a job that I am fairly happy about (doing IP work which is great, but more litigation than prosecution for my taste).

I certainly agree that you should do what makes you happy.  If you want to be a Patent Attorney, you will get a job as one.  Work hard, market yourself, network, cold calls, and stacks of cover letters and resumes.  When it comes down to it, if you want it go out and get it.

As far as concrete advice goes...First, get an internship or clerkship this summer.  It's not essential that it be IP related.  If that doesn't happen for you, take and pass the Patent Bar.  Doing either of those will put you in a better position to secure an IP-related internship after your second year.  

Having some clerking or internship experience can edge out a lot of competitors after you graduate.  BTW - I have family obligations that kept me from interning during the summer.  I did however pass the patent bar after my second year.

After all is said and done, if you want the job and are willing to work hard (and move if necessary), you'll get it.  Take me for example.  I would have had no chance competing for a job against you, but here I am.

BTW-Law school is ridiculous and has virtually no bearing on what kind of attorney you will be.

[IPisGold]

This is fantastic advice, and rings true. I am currently a second year student at a Tier 2 law school. I am in the bottom half of my class as well, but sent out about 50 hardcopies of my resume and cover letter. I managed to find a summer associate position at a patent litigation firm near my school. It is the only offer I got, but that's fine with me. Do all that you can do now to distinguish yourself from the others. Pass the patent bar, find litigation work in something non-IP related, cold call, whatever. I think you will find something IP related, just be persistent. I find that personality and motivation go a long way with these patent firms.  

I graduated in the bottom half of a tier 3/4 law school.  It took me about 6 months to find a job as a Patent Attorney after I was admitted to the state bar.  But I did find a job that I am fairly happy about (doing IP work which is great, but more litigation than prosecution for my taste).

I certainly agree that you should do what makes you happy.  If you want to be a Patent Attorney, you will get a job as one.  Work hard, market yourself, network, cold calls, and stacks of cover letters and resumes.  When it comes down to it, if you want it go out and get it.

As far as concrete advice goes...First, get an internship or clerkship this summer.  It's not essential that it be IP related.  If that doesn't happen for you, take and pass the Patent Bar.  Doing either of those will put you in a better position to secure an IP-related internship after your second year.  

Having some clerking or internship experience can edge out a lot of competitors after you graduate.  BTW - I have family obligations that kept me from interning during the summer.  I did however pass the patent bar after my second year.

After all is said and done, if you want the job and are willing to work hard (and move if necessary), you'll get it.  Take me for example.  I would have had no chance competing for a job against you, but here I am.

BTW-Law school is ridiculous and has virtually no bearing on what kind of attorney you will be.

[plex]

Could anyone give some good examples of ways one can display personality and motivation during an interview? I tend to tense up as it is my first time attempting to get a law related job rather than an engineering position, which I know is not a good. Any advice?

I think the posts made before are very good as well for getting an interview, it is not impossible at all to get an interview if you have the right undergrad background and some relevant work experience of some sort. If you are really interested in it, at least make a good effort at it before deciding to give up on it.

[IPisGold]

Walk into the interview with the mind set that you don't care what happens. Pretend that you have a million bucks in your bank account to fall back on, and whether you get this job is just icing on the cake. This will tend to alleviate the nervousness, which will communicate to the interviewer that you are honest, confident, and you have shown him all your cards.