Markets for IP law Forum

[erythromycin]

I am getting close to finishing up a PhD in organic chemistry, and my dissertation research is in bioorganic/biological chemistry (I have a decent background in biochemistry and molecular biology, and I have done some organic synthesis). If I were to go into patent law, the area that would be most naturally suited to my background would be biotech/pharma patent prosecution. I intend to start studying for the patent bar soon, and I think I would like to work as an agent before considering the financial investment of law school

Right now I am just the gathering information about this career path. Honestly, my husband and I are sorting out some two body problems in that we are both PhD scientists, and I have decided that academia is not for me for a variety of reasons. Right now I'm just exploring other options.

That being said, what areas of the country aside from Boston, the Bay area, San Diego, and DC have a market for biotech/pharma/life sciences-type IP lawyers? It looks like the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill/Research triangle area has some stuff going on with all the startups and such in the area. How are the markets in Chicago, New York, and Atlanta? I noticed that some IP firms (such as Finnigan) have branches in New York and Atlanta--is there a reasonable market there? What about the Denver/Boulder area, Texas (Austin, Houston, Dallas), Seattle, and LA/Orange County? Any insight on these smaller markets would be appreciated. I'm just curious how geographically portable this career path could potentially be.

[bk1]

Moved to appropriate forum.

[downinDtown]

See this thread: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... it=+dallas

Dallas has the rocket-docket (ED Tex), has a sizable tech presence (lots of F500 tech companies), with a mix of several high-end BigLaw and boutique IP/Patent groups, the USPTO is opening a satellite office in Dallas, and on top of that, it has the best COL of all the comparable cities. I know of one or two firms in that area that have a life sciences IP practice.

[84651846190]

See this thread: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... it=+dallas

Dallas has the rocket-docket (ED Tex), has a sizable tech presence (lots of F500 tech companies), with a mix of several high-end BigLaw and boutique IP/Patent groups, the USPTO is opening a satellite office in Dallas, and on top of that, it has the best COL of all the comparable cities. I know of one or two firms in that area that have a life sciences IP practice.

Dallas is NDTX, not EDTX.

EDTX encompasses middle-of-nowhere places like Beaumont and Marshall.

[ClerkAdvisor]

See this thread: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... it=+dallas

Dallas has the rocket-docket (ED Tex), has a sizable tech presence (lots of F500 tech companies), with a mix of several high-end BigLaw and boutique IP/Patent groups, the USPTO is opening a satellite office in Dallas, and on top of that, it has the best COL of all the comparable cities. I know of one or two firms in that area that have a life sciences IP practice.

Dallas might be a great city, but I don't think it's on anyone's go to list for pharma/life sciences work. And proximity to a given district is a bit meaningless -- national patent lit practices will litigate in every court. It's not as though the big DC firms only litigate in DDC/DMD/EDVA.

Certain markets are just far better for certain practices. Just like NYC is the best place for securities lit, for better or worse, DC and NYC are probably the best markets for pharma work.

[androstan]

Just like NYC is the best place for securities lit, for better or worse, DC and NYC are probably the best markets for pharma work.

This, and NYC>DC>the_rest for pharma litigation. NYC is the largest market for bigfirm pharma litigation by a large margin. DC is strong but not quite as wide open and the market is more boutique-oriented and more defendant (generic) oriented. The other jurisdictions have a lot of IP going on and that will of course entail some pharma/biotech stuff but they aren't hotbeds like NYC and DC.

[erythromycin]

I'm not really interested in litigation--I'm more interested in prosecution. I've heard from a lot of people that San Diego and Boston are some of the best places to start off as an agent or tech specialist--do you think it's easier to break in in DC or NY, though?