2017 Patent Fair Bidding Strategy ?s (ChemE BS) Forum

[Anonymous User]

I was wondering if anyone had any advice as bidding comes close for the 2017 patent fair. This summer I'll be doing in-house patent work for a Rolls-Royce and part time as an RA doing patent research. I'm about 0.1 points below median law school grades at a T20, high honors undergrad grades. I've heard a lot of people saying ChemE is at a huge disadvantage because most places prefer PhD for that space.

I was wondering if anyone had a good strategy as to how to use my 32 bids to maximize the chance of a 2L SA gig. I've networked with a few folks that interview at the patent fair but still want to know a good strategy. Lately I've been marketing myself as a utility guy because I have pretty above average work experience despite only working full time for a year since I also logged 2000 ish hours in undergrad at a F500 company in Chemical Products manufacturing. I'm really banking on this summer's experience helping me a lot because it's relevant experience and at least maintaining my grades for Spring.

Any advice for bidding or the patent fair in general would be great. Including if I should do any prep work outside of mock interviewing and the like.

[ballouttacontrol]

Bid on firms that are hiring for chemE. There should be a good amount. Don't be picky just try to get interviews.

Search firm websites for job openings, they won't list what they want for 2Ls, but if they're looking for a chem lateral they'd prob b interested in you

Play up ur industry exp as much as you can

[Bluem_11]

Do you want to do prosecution or lit? That will change your strategy a lot.

[Anonymous User]

OP here,

Not sure on the prosecution or lit side. I interviewed with a few firms which left the question very open. I'd like to take a summer to at least have exposure to both, especially with IPRs skyrocketing on the prosecution side

[Bluem_11]

Well that would be nice yes, but whether you want pros or lit will determine what bidding strategy I think is best. Many (not all) firms go in there knowing whether they want a litigator or a prosecutor. Biglaw is cutting back on pros, more IP boutiques becoming pro shops.

[ballouttacontrol]

you would be a long shot for an AmLaw100 patent lit practice, I think. A ChemE BS is a pretty small bump in that area, and your GPA/school are pretty bad for a generally selective field

I also doubt you'd get a ton of pros interviews either, but probably more than if you shoot for lit. Your first priority should be to get a job. I recommend my advice above

[KunAgnis]

you would be a long shot for an AmLaw100 patent lit practice, I think. A ChemE BS is a pretty small bump in that area, and your GPA/school are pretty bad for a generally selective field

I also doubt you'd get a ton of pros interviews either, but probably more than if you shoot for lit. Your first priority should be to get a job. I recommend my advice above

Just out of curiosity - what GPA at a lower T14 would you consider competitive for patent lit?

[ballouttacontrol]

you would be a long shot for an AmLaw100 patent lit practice, I think. A ChemE BS is a pretty small bump in that area, and your GPA/school are pretty bad for a generally selective field

I also doubt you'd get a ton of pros interviews either, but probably more than if you shoot for lit. Your first priority should be to get a job. I recommend my advice above

Just out of curiosity - what GPA at a lower T14 would you consider competitive for patent lit?

Idk but I'd guess at least median. Someone at your own school would know better...

There's a reasonably big diff, at least in my mind, btwn somewhere like Georgetown/UT and somewhere like UVa or Duke

[Anonymous User]

you would be a long shot for an AmLaw100 patent lit practice, I think. A ChemE BS is a pretty small bump in that area, and your GPA/school are pretty bad for a generally selective field

I also doubt you'd get a ton of pros interviews either, but probably more than if you shoot for lit. Your first priority should be to get a job. I recommend my advice above

I think a BS in ChemE with a high UGPA is decent for prosecution. It's not EE, but there are jobs out there.

[Spartan_Alum_12]

Sorry for the accidental anonymous post above ^^^

[ballouttacontrol]

you would be a long shot for an AmLaw100 patent lit practice, I think. A ChemE BS is a pretty small bump in that area, and your GPA/school are pretty bad for a generally selective field

I also doubt you'd get a ton of pros interviews either, but probably more than if you shoot for lit. Your first priority should be to get a job. I recommend my advice above

I think a BS in ChemE with a high UGPA is decent for prosecution. It's not EE, but there are jobs out there.

Yes I don't disagree. That's why I said it's probably OPs best shot at patent law. Should get a few interviews if you pick the right firms. I would think stuff like materials patents, some firms do a lot of that