IP Area of concentration certificate overcome non-sci BA? Forum

[Anonymous User]

My school gives certificates if student complete set of related courses. One of them is in "IP, telecommunications, and tech." I would like to practice general litigation, but would be happy to focus on IP litigation. I am writing my LR paper on an international copyright issue. My BA is non-science.

Do you think an area of concentration cert can overcome not having a science degree? Completely, Partially, None?

[c3pO4]

My school gives certificates if student complete set of related courses. One of them is in "IP, telecommunications, and tech." I would like to practice general litigation, but would be happy to focus on IP litigation. I am writing my LR paper on an international copyright issue. My BA is non-science.

Do you think an area of concentration cert can overcome not having a science degree? Completely, Partially, None?

By the time you get this certificate, you'll either have a job lined up so it won't matter; or you won't have a job lined up so it won't matter. I have been trying to figure out how all these various certificates are not a scam...

[drdolittle]

My school gives certificates if student complete set of related courses. One of them is in "IP, telecommunications, and tech." I would like to practice general litigation, but would be happy to focus on IP litigation. I am writing my LR paper on an international copyright issue. My BA is non-science.

Do you think an area of concentration cert can overcome not having a science degree? Completely, Partially, None?

By the time you get this certificate, you'll either have a job lined up so it won't matter; or you won't have a job lined up so it won't matter. I have been trying to figure out how all these various certificates are not a scam...

I don't know if I'd go as far as saying they're a scam, they appear to be a convenient way to tailor one's course of study while also confirming an area of interest (and avoiding more boring classes). As mentioned, whether they have a real effect on employment prospects is another matter. I've heard some 2 & 3Ls w/o jobs settle on a plan of returning to their job search seriously only after passing the bar. Then a cert might be more useful. On the other hand, either way, it might make more sense to take bar review type classes, with specialty classes sprinkled in here and there but not enough for a cert, to help ensure bar passage in states with more difficult bar exams.

To answer OP's question, from what I've seen/heard and read on TLS, a science background is not an absolute requirement for IP lit, but of course this also means those w/o a science degree have to compete for such jobs while in school based almost entirely on grades. A tech cert just might give a slight edge to such a candidate seeking post-grad/bar employment, though at that stage most folks are happy to take whatever law job they can get, in IP or wherever.

[turbotong]

If you want a real certificate in telecom, get a CCNA. It is respected, accepted, and known by tech companies and firms everywhere. Plus, if you don't land a legal job then you might be able to get an entry level position in Cisco or other routing company.
Otherwise, get a minor in CS/EE/Physics-emag/related. If you really want to kick ass, get a CCNP. No comment about the CCENT - haven't really heard about its usefulness.
If you want to prove your technical competence in the foundations of the sciences, take the FE exam with the second half focusing on a respectable subject.

[aguacaliente]

here's the outcome of this:

if you want to do copyright/trademark/telecommunications/a small bit of patent lit, you don't need a science BA, and the certificate won't make much difference (though, of course, taking those classes and writing the paper will). what will ultimately matter is getting any experience you can in the field (summer jobs, externships, etc.). i can confirm this, since i do copyright and am currently working on a patent case (and i don't have a science background).

if by IP, you mean patent prosecution, you need a science background, and this certificate won't make one bit of difference.

[071816]

I think aguacaliente is right. What specifically do you mean by IP litigation?

[target]

My school gives certificates if student complete set of related courses. One of them is in "IP, telecommunications, and tech." I would like to practice general litigation, but would be happy to focus on IP litigation. I am writing my LR paper on an international copyright issue. My BA is non-science.

Do you think an area of concentration cert can overcome not having a science degree? Completely, Partially, None?

By the time you get this certificate, you'll either have a job lined up so it won't matter; or you won't have a job lined up so it won't matter. I have been trying to figure out how all these various certificates are not a scam...

Do law students typically list relevant coursework on their resume to firms?

[turbotong]

My school gives certificates if student complete set of related courses. One of them is in "IP, telecommunications, and tech." I would like to practice general litigation, but would be happy to focus on IP litigation. I am writing my LR paper on an international copyright issue. My BA is non-science.

Do you think an area of concentration cert can overcome not having a science degree? Completely, Partially, None?

By the time you get this certificate, you'll either have a job lined up so it won't matter; or you won't have a job lined up so it won't matter. I have been trying to figure out how all these various certificates are not a scam...

Do law students typically list relevant coursework on their resume to firms?

From what I know, no they do not list courses. However, it is common to list certifications and qualifications on a resume. For example, passing the USPTO exam. Professional certifications fall into this category and would be listed as well. Creative students will find a way to demonstrate their concentration of interest on their resume, otherwise they will point it out on their transcript.

[erico]

My school gives certificates if student complete set of related courses. One of them is in "IP, telecommunications, and tech." I would like to practice general litigation, but would be happy to focus on IP litigation. I am writing my LR paper on an international copyright issue. My BA is non-science.

Do you think an area of concentration cert can overcome not having a science degree? Completely, Partially, None?

By the time you get this certificate, you'll either have a job lined up so it won't matter; or you won't have a job lined up so it won't matter. I have been trying to figure out how all these various certificates are not a scam...

Do law students typically list relevant coursework on their resume to firms?

I have a "focus" bullet under my BS.

[hawkeye22]

The relevant question is whether or not it will make you eligible for the patent bar. I am guessing it will not, in which case it probably won't be of much interest to employers.

[Anonymous User]

For IP Lit, you don't need a technical background. You really only need a technical background for patent prosecution.