Re: Best Route to Become a Biotech Patent Attorney?

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On 6/10/04, Dirk wrote:

Too old for someone with a PHD means something 40ish rather than
something around 30.

> 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.