The Pierce advantage: Experts at global careers in IP for 35 years

IP at Pierce Law

Careers in IP law: Sustained demonstrable growth

"Growth in certain practice areas such as intellectual property, healthcare and litigation is generating an increase in the demand for legal services. As a result, average starting salaries nationwide will increase slightly or remain steady for lawyers and other professionals in the legal field." —National Jurist

Careers in IP have continued to grow for the past several decades. Learning about this topic can be quite challenging because of:

the wide variety of topical areas of law that comprise IP, commerce and technology. IP touches almost all areas of law. IP encompasses more than patent, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, trade regulation, unfair competition, traditional knowledge, etc.. Thinking about IP as not integrated with most areas of the law is a misimpression. IP law is "though-n-through" the law
the wide variety of career opportunities in IP goes far beyond being a lawyer or corporate IP counsel. IP professionals include patent agents, technical specialists, licensing executives, consultants, IP expert in business, science, education, international development environments.
some careers require a law degree. Other careers require no graduate IP legal education. Holding a law degree or graduate IP degree can increase your ability to obtain positions and lead to careers with higher starting salaries.

IP INCLUDES PATENTS, TM, COPYRIGHTS, TRADE SECRETS & MORE

Helpful web resources on IP law careers

Thoughtful help from Pierce Law Professor Tom Field

Careers in Intellectual Property Law was prepared under the direction of the Committee on Law Students of the Intellectual Property Law Section of the American Bar Association

This site is for individuals who are considering a career in law, and law students in search of a specialty, to introduce you to the fascinating field of intellectual property law-a field that spans the full range of technology and the arts, from poetry to genetic engineering, from soft drinks to computer software. Of necessity, this brochure presents an overview of the field of intellectual property law.Career opportunities in intellectual property law by the law firm of Oppedahl Patent Law Firm LLC. answers many frequently asked questions. Opinions are those of the author.

Helpful web resources on the Patent Bar

According to Patent Bar Study, patent law is a fascinating, profitable career field for many engineers and scientists looking for something other than the traditional career pathway. Being a part of this field will secure you a front row position on the cutting edge of science and technology.

From genetic engineering to computer software to light bulbs and even new engine components, people will always invent new things. Even more so, these inventions will always be labeled and traded as Intellectual Property (IP).

Once you have taken and passed the Patent Bar Exam, you will be considered a registered patent agent before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). If you have graduated law school and meet the requirements to practice law, you will be considered a patent attorney.

The field of patent law is wide open to biologists, chemists, engineers, computer scientists and many other science and technology professionals. You don't need a law degree to be successful in this legal area. Here are a few of the frequently asked question about this profession briefly addressed by Patent Bar Study:

What is a Career as a Patent Agent/Attorney Like?
What Qualities Do I Need to Become a Patent Agent/Attorney?
Where Can Patent Agents/Attorneys Seek Employment?
Patent Agent/Attorney Salary Information

The most authoritative and up to date starting place on Patent Bar elibgability is always U.S. Patent Bar Web Site Office of Enrollment and Discipline.

There is an active industry in Patent Bar preparation. Many of these sites offer thoughtful free materials and tips on how to pass the patent bar as well as on the patent practice profession.

In 2008 the average Pierce Law patent law graduate starting salary was $150,000. The pay scale varies for Patent Practitioners and is determined by many factors.

First, if you are a scientist or engineer without a law degree you will be classified as a Patent Agent after you pass the Patent Bar exam. If you have a law degree and are already considered an attorney, you will be classified as a Patent Attorney upon passing the exam. As a Patent Attorney with the same level of experience as a Patent Agent, you will typically earn the higher income because in addition to writing and prosecuting patents, you may also help protect patents in a court of law.

Second, your degree level will help determine your pay. If you have a Bachelor's degree, you will typically make less than someone with a Master's or a PhD.

Third, your experience level will make a difference. Internships and previous positions will count when factoring your salary. The number of years you have worked as an engineer or scientist will also make a difference. The more experience you have, the more valuable you will be perceived by the company.

Lastly, where you seek employment makes a difference in your pay. Law firms typically pay the most, whereas a Technology Transfer department in a University will usually pay less.

Other interesting web resources on IP careers

Career opportunities in intellectual property law by the law firm of Oppedahl Patent Law Firm LLC. answers many frequently asked questions. Opinions are those of the author.

Law, particularly intellectual property law, is becoming an increasingly popular choice for scientists abandoning the traditional career track. Some scientists go to law school and then become patent attorneys with law firms or in private industry, e.g. biotechnology companies. Some scientists choose to become patent agents or examiners, intellectual property careers that do not require a law degree.

Columbia University offers an eBriefing based on a seminar sponsored by the New York Science Alliance for Graduate Students and Postdocs.

How does a geneticist/molecular biologist get to be a patent lawyer? Brief vignette describes one Ph.D. scientist's path to patent attorney.

Careers in Patent Law for Scientists. From The Chronicle of Higher Education's Career Network.

While most engineers may be focused on obtaining patents through their own work, many overlook the possibility of becoming U.S. patent agents. Engineers and other scientific professionals are uniquely qualified to become patent agents because of their technical background. And their expertise is sought after by both law firms and corporations. Jason Laday presents the article Consider Becoming a Patent Agent

Steven C. Oppenheimer, Licensed U.S. Patent Agent, after working more than fifteen years working as a freelance technical writer, discovered another career option that draws heavily on his technical writing background and potentially offers significantly better money. The purpose of this article is to help other technical writers decide if they want to explore this interesting option. This same career option is also open to scientists (in physical, chemical, and biological sciences), engineers, and doctors. (Possibly nurses, too - read on....)

Profiles of Chemical Engineers by Michael McGurk, an Associate at Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, Washington, DC offer a Video Transcript:

"Some of what you will end up doing, I think, is unpredictable. You'll look back 10 years from now and say I would never have guessed. So I certainly can say the same thing for myself. I never dreamed of being a patent attorney. I think engineers, quite a few, go on to medical school. Some go into business. I think it's a great background to have. I think you can go almost anywhere you want with it. I think the options for engineers are much more significant
than they are for maybe somebody in another major."

Career Opportunities in Patent Examination at the PTO

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office hires engineers and scientists to be patent examiners. You have to be a U.S. citizen and you would have to have at least a four year degree from a college or university in professional engineering or a physical science. If you meet these requirements, the PTO may have a job for you!

Here are the kinds of patent examiner jobs the PTO looks to fill each year:

Biotechnology & Organic Chemistry
Chemical & Material Engineering
Mechanical Engineering, Transportation, Construction, Agriculture, Petroleum & Nuclear
Communications & Information Processing, Computer Systems, Electrical Engineering
Physics, Optics, System Components & Electrical Engineering

USPTO CAREER WEB PAGE IMAGE

Copyright Lawyer Career Info discusses opportunities for copyright lawyers who work to protect the creative products of writers, musicians and other artists. They also work to ensure that copyrights are applied fairly and in accordance with the law.

Despite the heavy focus on careers for patent lawyers, there are growing opportunities for copyright lawyers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, expects overall employment of lawyers to grow by about ten percent in the coming decade. Despite this growth, competition for available positions is expected to be fierce, as the number of law school graduates continues to grow. Copyright lawyers may have increased career opportunities due to the constant evolution and change within the industry. The greatest career opportunities will be available to those copyright lawyers with exceptional technical backgrounds. Copyright lawyers must be able to make their clients, who may include artists, writers and musicians, comfortable regarding their technical decisions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics goes on to report that in 2006 the median annual earnings for a salaried lawyer were slightly over $100,000. Salaries in the legal profession are highly variable and depend on the type of work chosen, be it in private practice, public works or the government.