CLS vs. Penn for "Law and Technology" / BigTechLaw Forum

[HouseTargaryen]

Really curious to hear everyone's thoughts! Please don't focus on IP Law in your answers (there's plenty on that online). Much more interested in the emerging topics in the field... cyberlaw, privacy, security, international issues, biotech, etc. Ignore cost, culture, etc.

CLS has Wu (coined "net neutrality"), Julius Silver program, proximity to Silicon Alley.

Penn has Yoo, and really seems to be going all in with this new Law and Technology program.

[patogordo]

if you're interested in emerging topics in the field, you can buy their books and read their articles. where are you interested in working?

[HouseTargaryen]

cooley... dla piper... Silicon Valley.

But interested in the academics and research opportunity differences between the 2. Or does it really not matter?

[Jchance]

cyberlaw, privacy, security, international issues, biotech, etc.

Besides international law, I dont see how these emerging issues u mentioned can turn into jobs. cyberlaw, privacy, security focus on constitutional issues. Biotech is heavily focused on bioethics issues. Are you gunning for academia? If yes, CLS is a clear winner.

[jbagelboy]

I think Berkeley beats both from an academic standpoint for privacy.

CLS will take you farther targeting SV. (I'm working in Emerging Companies this summer FWIW). There are more profs at Columbia in the area too. If you have a tech/patent-eligible background, both schools will be very secure getting you into IP biglaw, take the greater $.

[rpupkin]

I'm assuming Berkeley isn't an option, as it would be better than either CLS or Penn for your interests.

But between the two options you've set out, CLS is the better choice.

[patogordo]

cooley... dla piper... Silicon Valley.

But interested in the academics and research opportunity differences between the 2. Or does it really not matter?

if that's what you're interested in you should go to H or S

[HouseTargaryen]

Thanks all for the insight! Correct - Berkeley gave me the ole' ding.

I thought that with the focus on Law and Tech, Penn might be a solid contender. Sounds like a resounding no?

cooley... dla piper... Silicon Valley.

But interested in the academics and research opportunity differences between the 2. Or does it really not matter?

if that's what you're interested in you should go to H or S

Right, haven't thought of that! I'll give JS and Dean Deal a call tomorrow...

[patogordo]

well you didn't post your numbers. maybe you could retake, i dunno.

i'm in lessig/zittrain's course now and it's really good. i think last year they offered it online through the edX program? might be worth looking into.

[rpupkin]

Really curious to hear everyone's thoughts! Please don't focus on IP Law in your answers (there's plenty on that online). Much more interested in the emerging topics in the field... cyberlaw, privacy, security, international issues, biotech, etc. Ignore cost, culture, etc.

One more bit of advice for you: when talking about your aspirations down the road, I'd be wary about drawing a line between "IP Law" and what you describe as "emerging topics in the field." IP law is relevant to all the topics you list. If you are interested in academic or policy work in the field of "law and technology," saying something like "I'm not really interested in IP law" is death. It's fine to focus on, say, biotech....but if you do so, you better be willing to at least learn about pharma patents. And if you want to focus on cyberlaw, you probably should develop some competency in the "IP law" of copyright.

[HouseTargaryen]

well you didn't post your numbers. maybe you could retake, i dunno.

i'm in lessig/zittrain's course now and it's really good. i think last year they offered it online through the edX program? might be worth looking into.

Ahh... gotcha. I'll def look into it. Do you know what the edX course was called? Tried a quick search but couldn't find it.

One more bit of advice for you: when talking about your aspirations down the road, I'd be wary about drawing a line between "IP Law" and what you describe as "emerging topics in the field." IP law is relevant to all the topics you list. If you are interested in academic or policy work in the field of "law and technology," saying something like "I'm not really interested in IP law" is death. It's fine to focus on, say, biotech....but if you do so, you better be willing to at least learn about pharma patents. And if you want to focus on cyberlaw, you probably should develop some competency in the "IP law" of copyright.

Appreciate the advice. Just to clarify though... I didn't mean I'm not interested in IP law. I'm definitely interested in IP and realize that this is the most practical and foundational piece of "tech" law. When I said "much more interested," I just meant that I'm much more interested in hearing about the other topics in peoples' responses ITT. It's really easy to find information, rankings, etc. on IP Law elsewhere, which is why I wanted to avoid it ITT and focus on the other topics for which less info is available. That's all.

Thanks guys!

[patogordo]

well you didn't post your numbers. maybe you could retake, i dunno.

i'm in lessig/zittrain's course now and it's really good. i think last year they offered it online through the edX program? might be worth looking into.

Ahh... gotcha. I'll def look into it. Do you know what the edX course was called? Tried a quick search but couldn't find it.

hmm i can't find it either. i may have been confusing it with fisher's copyright course.