Viability of patent lawyer going into engineering Forum

[Anonymous User]

I think it's common to see an engineering major/practicing engineer who goes to law school and becomes a lawyer in technology industries. How often does the opposite happen? Where a patent lawyer later goes to engineering school and becomes an engineer?

Is it just uncommon, or is it actually pretty difficult? Is it almost impossible if my major wasn't engineering, even if it was a STEM major?

[Anonymous User]

This type of move is uncommon. I've been in the patent prosecution field for about 10 years in the DC area market, and I've only known 2 people who have transitioned from patent lawyering to engineering. Both of them had prior engineering experience. I also know of another who became a software developer.

But the fact that it's uncommon doesn't necessarily mean that it's difficult. I think the reason why this move is so uncommon is that a large percentage patent lawyers don't consider themselves to be suitable for engineering jobs, or don't believe that they have engineering skills that are still up-to-date. If you're interested in programming, I would think that you can be a programmer from any prior career.

[Spartan_Alum_12]

Well, usually the patent lawyer doesn't have to go back to engineering school, since engineering school (or some STEM degree) is basically required to take the patent bar which is required to become a registered patent attorney (you can still be a patent litigator without one, but they are not technically given the title "patent attorney").

However, as the previous poster said, you could go into (or back into) the engineering workforce, but it doesn't make much sense unless a patent lawyer hates their job or can't find a job as a lawyer. Patent law jobs typically pay better and the skill sets don't overlap with engineering jobs too much (despite both requiring an engineering degree). After three years of law school (+ LSAT + state bar) and working as a lawyer, usually going back to engineering isn't an attractive option (both for you and engineering employers).

It would likely make more sense for patent agents since they didn't invest the time/money to become a lawyer and usually have more engineering work experience (and aren't paid as well as attorneys).

[stupididiot]

Well, usually the patent lawyer doesn't have to go back to engineering school, since engineering school (or some STEM degree) is basically required to take the patent bar which is required to become a registered patent attorney (you can still be a patent litigator without one, but they are not technically given the title "patent attorney").

However, as the previous poster said, you could go into (or back into) the engineering workforce, but it doesn't make much sense unless a patent lawyer hates their job or can't find a job as a lawyer. Patent law jobs typically pay better and the skill sets don't overlap with engineering jobs too much (despite both requiring an engineering degree). After three years of law school (+ LSAT + state bar) and working as a lawyer, usually going back to engineering isn't an attractive option (both for you and engineering employers).

It would likely make more sense for patent agents since they didn't invest the time/money to become a lawyer and usually have more engineering work experience (and aren't paid as well as attorneys).

agree mostly with this. if you actually have to go back to school, then you will be able to get a job just like anyone else graduating engineering school (possibly with a little boost for your experience), but it will likely be a huge paycut.

i disagree that skill sets (necessarily) dont overlap that much. there are engineering jobs that are more technical, and some that are much more compliance-like (read local or OSHA codes/regulations, prepare report about how you meet the codes, etc). i have seen people go from legal adjacent jobs (though not patent law specifically) to this kind of compliance-y engineering work. id look into these kind of roles if you really hate law firm life.