The Intellectual Property Forum

What do you mean by "handed out when I left the company"?  Sounds like there may have been a sort of implied license.

Hi Thomas,

I just checked your site - impressive biography!

Regarding your question.. it might be tough for you to find someone, because most young attorneys need steady pay to cover loans, and an established, capable lawyer will probably get lured.  That being said, I'm sure it's happened before.

Is it possible to start out cheap by filing some provisional applications?  Most firms, including mine, will touch one up and file it for a relatively reasonable fee.   You can seek funding to grow in your one-year window, and could possibly offer some minor compensation when that happens.

My firm is in NYC as well, and I have my BS in BME.  Maybe we can help.

Drew

• What made you decide to enter Patent Law?  Are you happy with your decision?

Switched into law from science because science frustrated me.  I needed something with more dynamic interaction, deadlines, etc.  Patent law was a natural fit.  Couldn't be happier.

• What is your technical background?  Do you tend to specialize in just that area, or is your patent practice more general?  Is it easy to get pigeonholed into one tech area, or is there room for movement?

BS, Biomed Engineering.  I'm at my first firm, and it's small, so I just take what comes through the door.  Mostly mechanical and electric, but I've done some BE work.  I like the variety.

• What sort of firms have you worked for?  (Large, small, solo, IP-only, General Practice, etc.)  Which do you prefer?

Small.  I like the one-on-one instruction, and I'm not sure if I could find that at a larger place.

• What percentage of your practice is spent on prosecution?  Litigation?  Licensing?

95%, 5%, 0%

• How much of your time is spent writing/researching, as opposed to meeting with & advising clients?

80% and 20%.  Depends on the complexity of the invention.

• Do you practice in other areas of law as well?  (For instance, Trademark, Copyright, Trade Secret, or something else?)

A little bit of trademarks, but nothing super complex.

• How much travel is involved with your practice?  Can Patent Law really lead to fame, fortune, and exotic foreign travel?

N/A as of now.  But hey, I'll dream big haha

• Are the widely-available salary charts accurate?  I know this is a little personal, but it's a question that seems to pop up time and time again.  I don't think most people are trying to pry, they're probably just concerned about paying off their law school debt before the year 2250.

Well, imo, if you're getting one-on-one instruction, for a few hours each day, that's hundreds of hours of instruction per year.  What's the price of that?  I guess at other places, people probably get twice what I do, but don't get the experience.  With repayment options these days I can afford to take the hit to learn.

• How is your work/family life balance?

Good.  10-630 M-F, unless a non-prov is due that week.

• If your son or daughter told you that he/she was thinking of becoming a Patent Attorney, how would you counsel him/her?  (I ask this because in my experience most attorneys tend to tell others not to attend law school.)

Read every nasty forum post about law school.  If you still want to go, then by all means haha

• What career adivce would you give someone who is just getting started in the field?

Look at listings of jobs that you would want in 2, 3, 5 years etc.  Try to get the skills those people have.  And pass the patbar while you're in law school.

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