I never thought I would be lucky enough to be faced with this choice, but I have offers from two firms in very different areas. I either want to do M&A or patent lit, but don't really have the option of splitting summers (these firms don't allow), so my choice is now-or-die.
Reasons to choose M&A: I like the fast pace of the work, and that it's very negotiations based. Also, this firm is super international, so I'd be working with international clients all the time - very exciting. But, M&A hours are notorious, and it would be a grind for sure.
Reasons to choose patent lit: I enjoy the science, and I always thought I'd be a litigator and go to court, and counsel clients about case strategy. However, litigation takes a long long loooooong time, and I think I may get bored. I also hate bluebooking.
So, based on that - any opinions? What about re: exit options?
Seeking opinions: M&A or patent litigation? Forum
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Re: Seeking opinions: M&A or patent litigation?
These are such radically different choices.
Essentially: Would you rather be the lawyer on business deals, or the lawyer pursuing/defending patent disputes?
M&A --
--lot's of due diligence and doc review
--negotiations
--beholden to business side of the deal
--unpredictable hours
--exit ops to in-house corporate
Patent Litigation --
--lot's of due diligence and doc review
--writing motions
--someday you might take a deposition, and sometime in a billion years you might even argue in court
--only you can do what you do, but you are still beholden to clients
--more predictable hours, but longer hours surrounding certain deadlines
--learn about various technologies
--actually not terrible exit opportunities to in-house IP roles or boutiques
Personally, it's a no brainer for me and I will be doing IP litigation. But I didn't have this option because I never pursued M&A -- had no interest.
Essentially: Would you rather be the lawyer on business deals, or the lawyer pursuing/defending patent disputes?
M&A --
--lot's of due diligence and doc review
--negotiations
--beholden to business side of the deal
--unpredictable hours
--exit ops to in-house corporate
Patent Litigation --
--lot's of due diligence and doc review
--writing motions
--someday you might take a deposition, and sometime in a billion years you might even argue in court
--only you can do what you do, but you are still beholden to clients
--more predictable hours, but longer hours surrounding certain deadlines
--learn about various technologies
--actually not terrible exit opportunities to in-house IP roles or boutiques
Personally, it's a no brainer for me and I will be doing IP litigation. But I didn't have this option because I never pursued M&A -- had no interest.
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Anonymous User
- Posts: 431708
- Joined: Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:32 am
Re: Seeking opinions: M&A or patent litigation?
Same decision I had. I wouldn't worry about exit options too much. Generally corporate is better than litigation for exits in-house, but patent litigation is the exception. Focus on what sort of work you want to do. I sucked at LRW so I went the M&A route.
