Re: Best Route to Become a Biotech Patent Attorney?

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Thank you for the response. I have been told by several people (attorneys) that law
firms do not like when their candidates are too old. Getting a pHD over a masters
would be a 3 or 4 year additional commitment. Do you think that law firms would
look poorly on this? Also, do you think that a pHD is essential, how far would a
masters go?

On 6/09/04, Patent Prosecutor wrote:
> If you are capable, get a PhD first. You need it to build a solid career.
> Follow the recommendations that you read. You can become a
> patent agent without going to a law school. Some law firms and
> corporations pay their PhD patent agents to go to law school.
>
> On 6/04/04, Dirk wrote:
>> Hi all, I am going to be a senior next year, majoring in
>> Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Penn State
>> University, and I have a keen interest in going on to
>> become a biotech patent attorney. I've read many many
>> statements and articles recomending pHD's for biotech
>> patent attorneys, so the way I see it I have the option of
>> going to get a pHD, then go to law school, or try to get
>> into a joint degree JD/pHD program. Could someone please
>> comment on the effectiveness and utility of these joint
>> degree programs? Another idea I have been playing with, has
>> been to go into industry immediately after receiving a
>> bachelor's degree, using them to attain a Master's, then
>> transfer to the law department and use them to attain a JD
>> and some work experience. Could someone please comment on
>> the attractiveness of a patent attorney with a Masters and
>> several years industry experience? Thanks a great deal for
>> your advice.