Questions about writing samples? Forum

[SDviaVA]

I am debating what writing sample to submit to a job. Some guides I have read say to avoid submitting academic papers. But they also say to try and submit something on topic.

In an effort to avoid outing myself, I will use a closely analogous example of my situation. Lets say I am recent law school grad who currently doing a trial level judicial clerkship and I was applying to the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Which of the above writing samples would you submit and why?

[SDviaVA]

can anyone chime in?

[philosoraptor]

Submit one only if they ask you to. If they ask you to, they'll probably tell you what kind they want. If they don't tell you what kind they want, ask.

I know little about the PTO (is it a bar-passage-required job?), but a memo or brief, preferably one from the real world, is usually TCR for a legal job. If your judicial opinion shows substantive legal analysis, use that. If the job doesn't require a law license, maybe something that shows an in-depth understanding of IP would be better.

[JuTMSY4]

I'd go opinion draft only because it's more recent. But generally, briefs/memos are preferred. Do you not have a more recent brief or memo?

You could get away with the opinion, but it'd be cognizant of my reader and pare it down.

I'll agree with the caveat above about what type of job this is