Top Law Schools

Hello,
This is my first post on the TLS forums. I am a High School Junior, so it's time for me to think about undergraduate. I want to go to law school, and, as for now, my mind is not being changed. However, the decision about what I want to practice in law is something I need to think about.

If I could practice one field, it would be patent law (prosecution). However, this field isn't too hot in the South Florida area, which is where I live and where I would like to live after graduation. Does anyone have any information on how I would fare practicing in this area, specifically in a small, boutique firm? Anywhere in South Florida is fine for me; Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Ft Lauderdale, Miami, etc. This matters now because I would need a science major, such as computer science, which interests me anyway.

The other field I am considering is tax law. The same applies here; how would I fare practicing in the South Florida area? I don't need to go Biglaw, but I'd like to make 120k+.

Thank you in advance.

I know what you want. And I know that I'm supposed to be impressed with your youthful drive. But sadly, that's not how the world works. Aside from the fact that you still have just as much school in front of you as behind you, theres no way you will do patent prosecution in Florida unless you don't mind milking blue collar neighbors for everything they are worth. Tax law is possible in Florida, but mostly of the estate planning variety. Neither are likely to net you $120k a year because you'd have to be a solo practitioner (which means you'll need a tax llm, massive malpractice fees, and a never-ending stream of clients. You'd have to do significantly better than 85-90% of solo practitioners, including ones who have done this for twice as Long as we've be alive, combined.

Instead of focusing on a litany of things you want, "south Florida", "120k", "computer science patent law", find a few things that make you happy, and a whole lot of sacrifice and pain that you are willing to go through to get there.

Sadly, this isn't the same world we were raised to believe in, there's no such thing as getting everything you want, or even deserve. So when reaching for the sky (I.e. Making six figures in your twenties) its best not to be very picky.

I didn't know it was possible to be a 16/17 year old aspiring tax attorney.

SemperLegal wrote:I know what you want. And I know that I'm supposed to be impressed with your youthful drive. But sadly, that's not how the world works. Aside from the fact that you still have just as much school in front of you as behind you, theres no way you will do patent prosecution in Florida unless you don't mind milking blue collar neighbors for everything they are worth. Tax law is possible in Florida, but mostly of the estate planning variety. Neither are likely to net you $120k a year because you'd have to be a solo practitioner (which means you'll need a tax llm, massive malpractice fees, and a never-ending stream of clients. You'd have to do significantly better than 85-90% of solo practitioners, including ones who have done this for twice as Long as we've be alive, combined.

Instead of focusing on a litany of things you want, "south Florida", "120k", "computer science patent law", find a few things that make you happy, and a whole lot of sacrifice and pain that you are willing to go through to get there.

Sadly, this isn't the same world we were raised to believe in, there's no such thing as getting everything you want, or even deserve. So when reaching for the sky (I.e. Making six figures in your twenties) its best not to be very picky.

Thanks for the response. You said I can't do patent prosecution unless I "don't mid milking blue collar neighbors for everything they're worth".

Does that mean that I could practice here, with decent success?

What field would be desirable in this area?

Study something you like and are interested in that will allow you to get a good job post-UG graduation. Do well in your courses so you can easily revisit the idea of law school later on in your undergrad career.

There's no reason for you to be thinking about anything other than your SAT/ACT, not racking up an insane amount of school debt (see again SAT/ACT scores), and where you will actually attend UG.

There's nothing wrong with aspiring to be an attorney as a kid (I've wanted to be one since I was a kid too, but if I'd chosen a practice field back then I'd be a future litigator, which is the complete opposite of what I will be doing post-grad/what I am actually passionate about). It is ill advised for you to start planning your path so early on, particularly in a field of law that may change significantly by the time you become an attorney ("if" you decide to).

I wish someone would have told me to relax and focus on enjoying undergrad. So, go play.

Not to be harsh here, but go home and focus on your high school grades, the ACT, whatever. Literally law school should not be on your radar right now enough to post on this forum. You will change in the next 6+ years, and so will the market in South Florida/Florida (most likely)

Ride the waves and worry about getting into the best UG school you can; the rest will work it self out.

Thanks to all. The reason I ask now is because my undergrad major will influence what I practice, specifically in patent.

Go major in computer science and forget about law school for a while. You can be a tax attorney with CS degree (just fill your electives with finance classes). You can be a patent attorney with a CS degree (albeit, not prosecuting in south florida). You can be a computer scientist and make six figures with a CS degree (albeit, in San Francisco). Shit, right now you can do fucking anything with a CS or Electrical Engineering degree. So go do that and revisit the law school idea later.

What CAN I practice successfully in South Florida?

Snookman77 wrote:What CAN I practice successfully in South Florida?

Corporate? Real Estate? Immigration? I honestly have 0 clue as a midwesterner - do your research but keep an open mind.

And as far as worrying about your UG major, you still have a little bit to go. If you're hard set on some sort of technical degree, shoot for the stars and go to a school like MIT or some other kickass technology school. Don't limit yourself to South Florida!

carmensandiego wrote:

Snookman77 wrote:What CAN I practice successfully in South Florida?

Corporate? Real Estate? Immigration? I honestly have 0 clue as a midwesterner - do your research but keep an open mind.

And as far as worrying about your UG major, you still have a little bit to go. If you're hard set on some sort of technical degree, shoot for the stars and go to a school like MIT or some other kickass technology school. Don't limit yourself to South Florida!

I'm fine with going school outside of Florida, but this is where I want to live after my education.

girlrunning wrote:
I wish someone would have told me to relax and focus on enjoying undergrad.

With completely different context, this applies to me too.

Major in Engineering or Computer Science or something similar that will enable you to take the patent bar. For tax law you don't have to major in anything specific.

But also take the advice ITT and stop worrying about law school right now. Enjoy high school, college. But as far as deciding what you want to major in, asking right now is relevant, but don't major in engineering or computer science because you want to be a patent attorney. Make sure engineering is something you would want to do independent of your law school aspirations, and then revisit the law school notion in your last year of college

Thank you. Can anyone refer me to a patent attorney on this forum so I can talk to S/he directly?

As somebody who was in your shoes in my high school junior year... shelf your idea of going to law school for about 8 years. If you're interested in patents, go to a good electrical engineering school, do well, and go work at least 2 years at an engineering job. Then, if you are still interested more in law than in engineering, take the LSAT.

Trust me, going K-JD is NOT the best path to patent prosecution. The best patent prosecutors have work experience or a PhD. I certainly wouldn't be nearly as good at my (patent prosecution) job if I didn't.

Keep patent law in the back of your mind and go have fun in engineering school. Keep your grades up in high school to get into a good UG. Work your ass off in UG to get good enough grades to be eligible for a masters or PhD program. Then, either get a PhD or get a job.

Snookman77 wrote:Thank you. Can anyone refer me to a patent attorney on this forum so I can talk to S/he directly?

talk to the folks over at intelproplaw, they will be far more helpful

redtalun wrote:

Snookman77 wrote:Thank you. Can anyone refer me to a patent attorney on this forum so I can talk to S/he directly?

talk to the folks over at intelproplaw, they will be far more helpful

They know me FAR too well there.....