Posted by David on 11/15/03

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I am preparing to apply to law schools and have a few
questions that I was hoping I could have answered.

My first question is in regards to patent law firms. I
have looked and looked and cannot find a decent breakout
as to the patent law firm locations in the U.S. I
understand that the major concentration of firms are
located in New York, California, D.C., Texas, and
Chicago. Based upon what you have experienced, what rough
percentage would you give to each of these areas in terms
of patent law firm presence. If you know of a place that
I can go to gain this information, I would greatly
appreciate that.

My second question pertains to Law school. I am looking
at many law schools including American University (D.C.),
Catholic University (D.C), Santa Clara (Cali), and a few
others. What I am curious to know is how important it is
to go to a school with a decent patent law program. I
mention this as I may decide to go to a school like
Catholic University. While this school has a good general
legal program, they offer few patent law courses. I was
thinking that I could, as a visiting student, make up for
this deficiency by taking a few patent law courses at
georgetown, george washington, or another school with a
selection of patent law courses. Does it hurt to go to a
school like catholic if my goal is patent law? Does
taking patent courses elsewhere as a visiting student
help/hurt? Perhaps in going to a school that does not
have a strong patent law offering, I could overcome that
with a better rank and better grades? Also, I did want to
mention that I was considering going to law school part
time. This is because I want to take a job to help my
sister out financially as she is going to college as
well. I was just curious to hear your thoughts about a
part-time program. I know it is more difficult in terms
of time management, but will doing this hurt me in anyway?

My final question is in regards to a career in patent
law. I am currently attending a well known electrical
engineering program and will be graduating with honors.
Although my graduation from law school is years away, I
was wondering what I could do now to help make myself
appear more attractive to law firms. I am planning on
studying for and taking the patent bar exam early in my
law school days, and I am even considering a Masters
degree in either Electrical, Computer Science, or
Biomedical engineering to help. Would you recommend any
of this? If so, is it better to get my M.S. in
electrical, computer sci, or biomedical? I am trying to
make myself as verstile as possible. Finally, how
competitive is patent law right now in these areas (is the
market saturated?), and what type of salary range can one
expect based upon these fields?

I know I have wrote a question book here, and I greatly
appreciate your assistance. As I am embarking on my
journey into the legal world, I can use all the guidance
available. With your wisdom, I hope to make as informed a
decision as possible. Thank you.

Re: Future Patent Law Studnet in need of experienced advice, 12/06/03, by lmnpdq.

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