Patent law and non-engineering background Forum

[risktaker]

I am interested in patent law, but not sure if my biochem/cell bio major will suffice. I am a double major in biochem and history. My overall GPA is 3.2, but my biochem/cell bio GPA is close to 2.9-3.0. Will I be able to find a job at a patent lawyer for a biotech company with a GPA like that after graduating from law school? This is all assuming I do spectacular in law school. Any info will be appreciated. Thanks.

[stratocophic]

I am interested in patent law, but not sure if my biochem/cell bio major will suffice. I am a double major in biochem and history. My overall GPA is 3.2, but my biochem/cell bio GPA is close to 2.9-3.0. Will I be able to find a job at a patent lawyer for a biotech company with a GPA like that after graduating from law school? This is all assuming I do spectacular in law school. Any info will be appreciated. Thanks.

Nope. You need a PhD in any area other than engineering for patent law.

[risktaker]

this is not true, so other ppl please comment. You can take the patent bar and practice with a degree in life sciences.

[stratocophic]

this is not true, so other ppl please comment. You can take the patent bar and practice with a degree in life sciences.

Edit: I see the problem. After lurking the boards, it seems that the general consensus is that a B.S. is bottom of the totem pole in terms of technical degree desirability. The issue, at least in many cases, is not whether you can take the bar, but whether you will be hired on the strength of your technical degree. Many law students with bio and chem backgrounds have PhDs.

[pinkzeppelin]

I am interested in patent law, but not sure if my biochem/cell bio major will suffice. I am a double major in biochem and history. My overall GPA is 3.2, but my biochem/cell bio GPA is close to 2.9-3.0. Will I be able to find a job at a patent lawyer for a biotech company with a GPA like that after graduating from law school? This is all assuming I do spectacular in law school. Any info will be appreciated. Thanks.

If you are wondering if you can take the patent exam, the answer is yes. Biochemistry is a recognized technical subject, so you should be fine

As far as job prospects with a biotech company, your chances are probably pretty slim. As far as I know, companies don't hire in-house patent attorney's until they've got a few years in patent experience. Your best bet is to go to law school, do well in law school, and land a patent job at a firm where you can work on many different kinds of patents and learn the method. Once you have some experience you will be much better positioned to work in-house for a biotech company. I wouldn't worry about your undergrad GPA; the company is going to worry much more about how good of a patent attorney you are--they could care less if you're a good biochemist.

Hope that helps

[risktaker]

Sweet. Thanks a lot.

[im_blue]

this is not true, so other ppl please comment. You can take the patent bar and practice with a degree in life sciences.

Edit: I see the problem. After lurking the boards, it seems that the general consensus is that a B.S. is bottom of the totem pole in terms of technical degree desirability. The issue, at least in many cases, is not whether you can take the bar, but whether you will be hired on the strength of your technical degree. Many law students with bio and chem backgrounds have PhDs.

Right, you can take the patent bar with a B.S. in biochemistry, but firms will be mainly looking for EEs or biology PhDs.