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Does having a science background help with pharma practice?
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 9:33 pm
by Anonymous User
Hi everyone,
I was wondering if pharma practices at firms prefer law students with a science background. Or does it not really matter, since pharma practice is really more about tort actions than understanding the drug/medical device.
I'd really appreciate your thoughts!
Re: Does having a science background help with pharma practice?
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 10:10 pm
by Anonymous User
I interviewed with one of the top pharma law firms in the country and was pretty much told that it's a minor boost. It's something they will look at as a plus, but they aren't going to bend over backwards to justify taking you over someone with better grades or from a better school. The science needed during lit is "learnable" enough to wear it is not a major selling point (though as I said, it may be a minor boost to put you over someone with similar grades and school without the science background).
Re: Does having a science background help with pharma practice?
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 11:11 pm
by Agent
More info on your specific background would help.
Re: Does having a science background help with pharma practice?
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 11:13 pm
by RELIC
It depends on the part of their practice you are trying to go into.
IP/Patent = Yes
Everything Else = It is a plus but not mandatory.
Re: Does having a science background help with pharma practice?
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 11:25 pm
by Anonymous User
RELIC wrote:It depends on the part of their practice you are trying to go into.
IP/Patent = Yes
Everything Else = It is a plus but not mandatory.
2nd anon here
Yep. Although with patent lit it is, again, more of just a plus on your resume instead of a must.
Re: Does having a science background help with pharma practice?
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 11:40 pm
by Anonymous User
OP here. Thanks for all of your replies guys.
I am interested in pharma work relating to product liability, not really IP lit.
So far it seems like it's not that big of a factor.
I'm asking because I want to know how to form my interview answers. Ie, should I keep bringing up my technical background or is that just going to make me look weird (if it's not an important component of the practice).
Re: Does having a science background help with pharma practice?
Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 9:40 pm
by Agent
I'm still confused about your technical background. Chem? ChemE? Bio? Any grad work? Relevant w/e?
Anonymous User wrote:OP here. Thanks for all of your replies guys.
I am interested in pharma work relating to product liability, not really IP lit.
So far it seems like it's not that big of a factor.
I'm asking because I want to know how to form my interview answers. Ie, should I keep bringing up my technical background or is that just going to make me look weird (if it's not an important component of the practice).