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I'd just call admissions and ask, honestly.

Given your professional history, why does the joint degree actually serve your needs? Have you figured out a career path where the joint degree fits nicely to put you on that career path? Because that matters way more than setting yourself up for admission to a law school.

Joint degrees have varying levels of use, depending on the program and your goals. But keep in mind it'll cost more, so that should also be considered in whether the joint degree is a good move. Don't do a JD/MSE just because you think it frames your Why X essay well, but do the program if the MS helps you achieve a professional outcome better than what you already bring to the table.

I don't think you can "commit" to a joint program outside of applying to both programs, getting accepted, and deciding to accept the offers of admission to both. And only do that if you're absolutely certain it fits into your ultimate career goals.

TBH, you asked more questions than can reasonably answered without establishing more information like I've asked. But to be brief: don't spend extra on a joint degree unless it is specifically tailored to your professional goals with a JD. Otherwise you're just paying more for a useless academic pursuit.

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You seem particularly worried about your patent credentials, which is fair. If you can get the patent bar eligibility, that will help alleviate a huge concern.

Ignoring tech transactions as a separate practice, your concerns need to be understood within patent and IP law firm hiring.

If you want to go into patent prosecution, you should absolutely worry about your scientific background. That's what matters because you're effectively operating as a highly paid patent examiner, using your reg. number like a patent agent would.

But if you want to get into patent litigation, it entirely shifts. You should care about scientific background of course, but law school credentials will also play a huge factor.

If you want to go the extra leg and do a masters, you should signal that in your applications. But that signal should carry no weight in your applications otherwise.