Wondering if I should take classes for computer engineering or computer technology (the easy route).
Yes. It must be a full bachelor’s degree, though.
Do you have any experience with patent prosecution? The science degree is not just a requirement in a shallow sense, you will only be able to properly represent applicants with patents related to computer technology, because a knowledge in the art, as well as knowledge in law is most certainly a requirement. I would suggest mechanical or electrical engineering, or some kind of bioengineering in order to be able to represent the largest number of applicants.
If your interest is in computers, an electrical engineering degree would be ideal, with a focus in computers. I would also suggest that you try to work as an engineer for a IP law firm before going to law school; you will learn the ropes without wasting money on law school only to find out you don’t want to do it.
And obviously, you need to pass the bar exam (but this can be done fairly easily with only about 3 months of study, and even less if you are experienced in patent law).
Hope this is helpful.
5 comments
Comment by Steve D on March 2, 2010 at 5:18 am
Only if you can find a law school who will accept your computer tech. undergrad work as acceptable for entrance. In order to become a lawyer, you need a law degree and then pass the bar exam (there is an exception called reading for the law, but these are few and very far between).
References :
Comment by CatLaw on March 2, 2010 at 5:44 am
Law schools do not require a certain undergrad major, they just want good grades. So you should take classes that you are interested in and will do well in.
Many patent lawyers have an undergrad degree in computer science, or computer technology, or in any engineering. Patents can cover the detailed engineering aspects up to the how the software is packaged.
In order to be a patent lawyer, after you graduate law school and after you pass the bar exam, you will need to take another exam which is administered by the patent bar. Only then can you say you are a patent attorney.
Suggest that you not plan your undergrad classes around something that you may or may not want to do after law school. Once you get into law school you may find that you have real skills in another area of law. After graduation and passing the bar you may get a job offer in a law firm that does a type of law that you never thought of, and you will need to take the job to pay student loans.
References :
Illinois attorney — majored in computer science, hated patent law classes, loved employment law
Comment by Pat on March 2, 2010 at 6:19 am
No dumbass.
You need a law degree and a passing grade on the bar exam.
References :
Comment by Joshua N on March 2, 2010 at 6:32 am
You need an undergraduate degree to go to law school, but there are no required majors. You may chose to major in subjects considered to be traditional preparation for law school, such as history, english, philosophy, political science, economics or business or you may chose areas that are nontraditional such as art, music, science and mathematics, computer science, engineering, nursing and education. Be your own person.
References :
http://www.abanet.org/legaled/prelaw/prep.html
Comment by Isabel on March 2, 2010 at 7:04 am
Yes. It must be a full bachelor’s degree, though.
Do you have any experience with patent prosecution? The science degree is not just a requirement in a shallow sense, you will only be able to properly represent applicants with patents related to computer technology, because a knowledge in the art, as well as knowledge in law is most certainly a requirement. I would suggest mechanical or electrical engineering, or some kind of bioengineering in order to be able to represent the largest number of applicants.
If your interest is in computers, an electrical engineering degree would be ideal, with a focus in computers. I would also suggest that you try to work as an engineer for a IP law firm before going to law school; you will learn the ropes without wasting money on law school only to find out you don’t want to do it.
And obviously, you need to pass the bar exam (but this can be done fairly easily with only about 3 months of study, and even less if you are experienced in patent law).
Hope this is helpful.
References :
http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/dcom/olia/oed/grb.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent_attorney