Top Law Schools

I am currently accepted into a couple law schools, and I have a few questions. So far I am into a top-20 law school and a top-30 school which is also the top school in my region.
My first question/concern is that I am heading to law school with no work experience. I am eligible to sit for the patent bar under the category B requirements, however, will this lack of experience come to haunt me? I am hoping to join a top firm/patent boutique once I graduate, but I also know many new patent attorneys have extensive work experience in their field. My fear is that my BS in Computer Science will not be enough for many employers.
Secondly, I was wondering what your opinions were as far as choosing a school. I am currently waitlisted at a couple t-14, and I received a scholarship from the t-20 school, although the regional school is still cheaper. Is the prestige of the t-20 school worth the few thousand per year extra? It is to my understanding that the patent field seems less obsessed with law school rankings.
Thank you in advance for your answers!

Any help?

1) No WE is fine - the way I would describe it is that a firm won't no-hire you for a lack of experience, but WE can get you hired if a firm has a specific need.

2) Depends what your goals are. If you want to practice in Texars and are in UT with $$ that's probably a better choice than GTTTown at sticker (or even some of the lower t13 schools). If you aren't sure where you want to work or value flexibility, go for t13.

redtalun wrote:1) No WE is fine - the way I would describe it is that a firm won't no-hire you for a lack of experience, but WE can get you hired if a firm has a specific need.

2) Depends what your goals are. If you want to practice in Texars and are in UT with $$ that's probably a better choice than GTTTown at sticker (or even some of the lower t13 schools). If you aren't sure where you want to work or value flexibility, go for t13.

I'm looking to practice in the PNW, and as a far second perhaps LA. Not interested in staying in Texas. Would that push UT out of running for potential schools?

If you want PNW, UW should probably be your top choice outside of the t13.

170orDie wrote:

redtalun wrote:1) No WE is fine - the way I would describe it is that a firm won't no-hire you for a lack of experience, but WE can get you hired if a firm has a specific need.

2) Depends what your goals are. If you want to practice in Texars and are in UT with $$ that's probably a better choice than GTTTown at sticker (or even some of the lower t13 schools). If you aren't sure where you want to work or value flexibility, go for t13.

I'm looking to practice in the PNW, and as a far second perhaps LA. Not interested in staying in Texas. Would that push UT out of running for potential schools?

We should talk, send me a PM. I'm a UW alum with a EE background working in Seattle BL.

BobBoblaw wrote:If you want PNW, UW should probably be your top choice outside of the t13.

UW's BL+FC is less than 20%. Going to UW as Biglaw or Bust is silly. Build ties to PNW, go to a better school, and hedge your bets OP. If you have a full ride, are okay with non-biglaw, and MUST work in the PNW, then go to UW.

170orDie wrote: My first question/concern is that I am heading to law school with no work experience. I am eligible to sit for the patent bar under the category B requirements, however, will this lack of experience come to haunt me? I am hoping to join a top firm/patent boutique once I graduate, but I also know many new patent attorneys have extensive work experience in their field. My fear is that my BS in Computer Science will not be enough for many employers.

that isn't what i have been seeing from new law grads within the past five years. in fact, i would estimate that candidates with extensive engineering experience are probably the smallest pool behind those that were patent examiners turned attorneys and those that have very little (e.g., an internship here and there) to no industry experience.

170orDie wrote: It is to my understanding that the patent field seems less obsessed with law school rankings.
Thank you in advance for your answers!

If you get into prosecution this is correct. Litigation recruiting is more standard in terms of ranks/grades.