Going Back to School--Patent Work Forum

[student99677]

Has anyone ever heard of a patent lawyer going back to school to bolster credentials? Everyone in the field seems to have their law degree last. I am at a large firm doing patent work, mostly litigation and I love it but I don't see a future for myself at the firm/in-house without completing my masters and getting into some prosecution work as well.

[mongeese]

It's not common, but I used to work with a patent attorney who got his EE degree after law school, and know of a few other attorneys who got their technical degrees after law school. I've also heard of someone getting a masters in CS to bolster their technical credentials when their previous degree was enough to sit for the patent bar but not as good for high tech clients.

[ClubberLang]

Have heard of it, but it is very unusual. I'm curious as to why you don't think you have a future? You have the job you want now (apparently). Generally, lack of a masters is not holding anyone back in patent litigation. Same re: lack of prosecution experience. Back to school for a technical degree seems like a hail mary if you weren't able to get a biglaw job. In your circumstances (as you've presented them), it is just weird.

[student99677]

Have heard of it, but it is very unusual. I'm curious as to why you don't think you have a future? You have the job you want now (apparently). Generally, lack of a masters is not holding anyone back in patent litigation. Same re: lack of prosecution experience. Back to school for a technical degree seems like a hail mary if you weren't able to get a biglaw job. In your circumstances (as you've presented them), it is just weird.

If I stay in litigation, I am most interested in work outside of my technical field and where business development would be a real battle without the right background. I also don't necessarily want to grind as a litigator forever and the offramps are a lot easier for people with prosecution experience.