I am a pre-law student majoring in Political Science. I would like to explore Intellectual Property legal realm as a possible choice of specialty. I've heard from several people that I should be pursuing an engineering degree before I get into I.P. I've also heard that I should look into becoming a patent examiner to get acquainted with the U.S. patent system. Overall, being a purely patent attorney seems intimidating.

My particular interest is the computer industry, e.g., software, hardware, internet privacy issues/copyrights etc. Is I.P. law broad enough for me to pursue this? Any I.P. attorneys with any good advice for particular law programs or career areas that may fit my interests?

Thanks again.<br><br>Post edited by: fscafaria, at: 2008/01/17 15:33

engineering undergrad is good if you want to be a patent attorney. patent attornies litigate patent infringments and help clients file patent applications.

Copyright and trademark legal work doesnt require an engineering background though.

I'd say, take some classess in law school on IP and then get an LL.M. in the same area. With the increase use of the internet, that area of law is really hot.

my cousin went got his LLM from BU and is doing excellent
http://www.bu.edu/lawlibrary/training/americanlaw/introonline.html

actually, i think you need to have a technical degree in order to sit for the patent bar.

You dont need a technical degree to sit for the patent bar, but you do need to study things like: utility, plant, design, and biotechnology patents. Usually, engineers have an easier time with the patent bar than not engineers, but anyone can study and pass the patent bar.

I'd say, that have a degree in engineering is great and can easily get you a job right out of college, whereas a degree in Poli Sci will not help you with a job. I'd go the safe route and get an engineering degree; or at least a minor in engineering.

IP law is now developing into a major sector of law because of the widespread use of the internet. In fact, developing countries are developing wireless networks for their citizens.

I'd say that an engineering degree is a very practical stand alone degree and if you decide to go to law school, your engineering degree will create a good &quot;combination degree&quot; with your JD. Law students with combo degrees such as engineer/attorney, doctor/attorney, CPA/attorney, pharmacist/attorney usually tend to do better in law school than non-combo degree students and most importantly, they tend to receive better job offers.

I would get a practical undergraduate degree and combo it with the law. In law school you can take some IP classes, but you will ultimately take classes with help you focus on passing the bar exam.

Once you are done with your JD, you will probably want to go back and get an LL.M in IP. An engineer/attorney with an LL.M in IP will be a serious asset to any firm.

If you have an opportunity to clerk at the USPTO or at a firm, then jump at it.

Most law students fight over clerking jobs, so take what you can get!

The IP attorney that I send work to went to DePaul Law school and he is a big fan of DePaul. Check it out.

Good Luck!

It is generally advised that some type of technical degree is earned if you plan on taking the patent bar. Many of the things you deal with as a patent attorney are technical in nature, and knowing how to read the schematics and follow the ideas of the clients is very important. If you are really interested in such a career, you may want to clerk for an attorney that does the work now, you may not like what they do.