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[somedude]

I've been lurking on this forum for a few months now, and have found it exceedingly helpful.  Now it's my turn to ask a question.

I have a bachelor's and master's degree in physics, and after going through several years of PhD work, decided that I didn't want to remain in academia, or pure research, so I am presently working for the patent office.  I've been thinking seriously about the PTO's law school program, but I'm concerned that perhaps I'm not fully acquainted with the advantages/disadvantages of attending night law school.

Advantages: Somebody else foots the large bill, Single- so best time to matriculate in evening program

Disadvantages: Have to balance daytime work with evening classes, PTO doesn't pay the full amount, have to 'payback' X number of years to PTO.

Are lawyers who received their degrees through a night law school program, at a disadvantage in the job market, when compared to those who received theirs full time?  How do employers view candidates who received their degrees at night?

Ideally, I'd like to end up working as an in-house attorney at some large tech corporation, somewhere down the road.  Is going to night law school the best way to achieve that goal?

Thanks in advance!

[nypatentlaw]

I did evening program while holding a full time job: extremely draining (imagine sitting in lectures 3-4 hours AFTER you finish your workday, only to get home late at night and HAVE SCHOOL WORK to do still (to really be prepared for next days classes).  Unless you HAVE TO keep your day job, DON'T!!!  Also - aside from the fatigue factor, while many factors (and some luck) come into play in landing your dream job, your law school friends (and job market competitors) will be spending several hours each day studying (as really you need to) - most 'dream job' places will care about grades, law review, etc - really hard (not impossible) to maintain considering everything is graded on curve and you are competing against lot of people who will dedicate much more time than you...

my suggestion - if you dont have to work full time, DONT!!!  just my opinion

[jamestyler]

I second nypatentlaw.  While I didn't do a part-time program, my friends that are in similar programs simply hate life right now.  Aside from what nypatentlaw points out, people often lose any semblance of a social life and lose touch with your friends.  Besides the difficult of law school, it's tough to get through without some sort of support from family, friends, and classmates.

[somedude]

I did evening program while holding a full time job: extremely draining (imagine sitting in lectures 3-4 hours AFTER you finish your workday, only to get home late at night and HAVE SCHOOL WORK to do still (to really be prepared for next days classes).  Unless you HAVE TO keep your day job, DON'T!!!  Also - aside from the fatigue factor, while many factors (and some luck) come into play in landing your dream job, your law school friends (and job market competitors) will be spending several hours each day studying (as really you need to) - most 'dream job' places will care about grades, law review, etc - really hard (not impossible) to maintain considering everything is graded on curve and you are competing against lot of people who will dedicate much more time than you...

my suggestion - if you dont have to work full time, DONT!!!  just my opinion

Thank you for the insight, nypatentlaw.  I was thinking it would be nearly impossible to maintain a law review position while juggling classwork and job responsibilities. 

[ChiEveLawStudent]

nypatentlaw's points are valid. I have a BS and MS in Comp Sci and am in my 3rd year as an evening law student, with one more year to go.

If you have the financial means, go full-time. If you don't, working full-time and going to school at night is difficult, but can be done.

I have been working full-time during the day and going to classes at night over the past 3 years. All I can say is... take the decision of going to law school VERY seriously. Its an investment of time, money, life, and sanity. I currently have a very stable job with good pay, so it was a decision I took about 2 years to make. However, it can be done - I'm still in the top 25% of my class.

The main thing is discipline and self-confidence. Weekends are just like any other work day - you wake up, make the coffee, and study. You will need the discipline to keep to your study schedule. If you're in a relationship, you will need a very understanding partner. I'm fortunate enough to have a fiance that has dinner prepared for me when I get home at 9:30 at night! As to self-confidence... there are many times that you will doubt yourself and your decision - why am I doing this? I have a good job right now, maybe I should have just stayed where I'm at. You have to have the belief in yourself that you can get through.

Also, as to grades... Its true that you compete with students that may have more time than you, but if you go evening, you're generally competing with other people who maintain jobs and families outside of school as well - so competition is leveled to some degree. Grades are important, but if you decide to go into patent law and pass the patent bar, your grades may not be as important as if you were going into another field - this is what I've been told. If you think about it though, patent lawyers do have a very unique niche - science/engineering degree, law degree, and patent bar. Having these three elements separates you significantly from the pack of poli-sci, philosophy, history, etc... majors.

Good luck with your decision.

[somedude]

Thank you for the detailed reply, chievelawstudent!  Good luck on your last year, and congrats on persevering thus far.

One additional question- would a person who has passed the patent bar have an advantage in applying to an evening program (or even a full-time program for that matter)?  I have an opportunity to take the patent bar in a few months, and I'm wondering whether it would make me a more appealing candidate to the admissions committee if I passed it.

[ChiEveLawStudent]

One additional question- would a person who has passed the patent bar have an advantage in applying to an evening program (or even a full-time program for that matter)?  I have an opportunity to take the patent bar in a few months, and I'm wondering whether it would make me a more appealing candidate to the admissions committee if I passed it.

If you know that you want to be a patent attorney, then yes, I would take it now. Especially, if you have the time now. Most likely it will help with your admissions and I do believe that the admissions do put some weight to that. Moreover, if you pass the patent bar, you'll a) have a really good chance of working at a firm for the summer, b) have an easier time in your patent classes, and c) place yourself above other applicants with a science/engineer degree who have not passed the patent bar.

I'm in a similar position - taking the patent bar in a few months - but am trying to separate myself from other candidates when I do look for a job.

Also... shoot a note to an admissions officer. Ask them what their opinion is. Obviously, they won't give you a definite answer of "yes, we will admit you", but you should ask anyway. You may even want to send a note to a prof at the school - introduce yourself, your background, and kindly ask for his opinion.