Intellectual Property is a popular and growing legal field.  New York City, in particular, is a hotbed center for media and entertainment.  Whether you have a science background and are interested in patent law, or prefer the arts and entertainment world and are interested in copyright and trademark law, or even if you are interested in commercial litigation, there are many avenues to pursue in the field of intellectual property.  See the the piece below by Prof. Horace Anderson for an insider's view.

* New Guide to Careers in Intellectual Property Law *

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE GUIDE

To help students navigate through the types of intellectual property law practice, we have prepared A Guide to Careers in Intellectual Property Law.  In this Guide you will find background on the types of intellectual property law, the main career opportunity avenues, information on the Patent Bar Examination, and many links to resources in the industry, including trade organizations, public sector agencies and organizations (government and not-for-profits) and private sector law firms.

Se below for information on Intellectual Property Career Fairs. 

For a comprehensive listing of law firms with intellectual property practices, see:

• http://law.lclark.edu/org/ipso/ipfirmlist.html 

• http://www.patentlawlinks.com/firms.htm

Careers in Intellectual Property – Not Just Patent Return to top

Intellectual property (“IP”) has a reputation among law students as a “hot” area of practice, and many Pace students entertain the idea of specializing in IP when they graduate.  Students who are interested in IP should understand that the lack of a science or technical background does not disqualify one from being an IP lawyer.  Would-be patent attorneys (a subset of IP attorneys) must have a background in the sciences, engineering, or mathematics in order to sit for the patent bar exam, but other sub-specialties of IP do not have such a requirement.  Trademark law protects brands, and students with an interest or background in marketing may want to consider making this area of law a part of their practice.  Copyright law protects creative expression, and students with an interest or background in the arts, publishing, entertainment, or computer software might find this sub-specialty to be a good fit.

So where are the IP jobs?  The short answer is: all over.  Many large firms have IP practices, smaller IP boutiques specialize in the field, corporate legal departments increasingly seek IP expertise, and there are also some government positions available.  Students interested in doing patent prosecution work should consider IP boutiques or the United States Patent and Trademark Office, which has been expanding its hiring of patent examiners.  Large general practice firms have exited the patent prosecution market to a certain extent, in order to focus on major IP litigation and transactions.  In-house positions offer the ability to connect legal expertise with the business needs of a company on litigation, prosecution, and transactional matters.  Most companies require several years of legal experience before they will consider a candidate for an in-house position.

Geographically, IP work is not just in New York or California anymore (although these two jurisdictions continue to be major IP centers).  Other cities and regions, including Chicago , Houston, and major cities in the Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest, are experiencing growth in the IP practices of their major firms. Washington and northern Virginia are focal points for federal government work related to trademarks, patents, and copyrights.  And, of course, any region where there is a major corporate presence (including the northern suburbs of New York) should be a good market for in-house work. So, do your research, know your options, and explore this exciting field of law.

                                             -- Professor Horace Anderson

Intellectual Property Career Fairs  Return to top

Loyola University Chicago School of Law Patent Interview Program , Chicago, IL  
The 2008 Patent Program will take place from Thursday, July 31-Friday, August 1, 2008 at the Marriott Suites Hotel near Chicago’s O’Hare airport. 
This fair is open to law students across the nation who are interested in pursuing a career in patent law.  First- and second-year day students and first-, second- and third-year evening students are invited to attend the job fair to seek prospective summer associate and entry-level positions.  If you have an undergraduate or graduate degree in engineering or a technical science, you may want to consider registering for the program.  If you are not eligible to sit for the patent bar, you should not register.  The program gives qualified students from across the country the opportunity to interview with patent law firms, as well as law firms, corporations, and government agencies with patent law departments.  This is a nationwide interview program that targets patent law employers, second and third year J.D. students and L.L.M. students with engineering and/or technical science academic backgrounds.  Last year 150 patent law employers, 140 accredited law schools and 1700 law students from across the country participated.  Employers prescreen and choose all of the students they interview.   On February 20^th, students may register by clicking on “Students.”  The Law School pays a school registration fee; students are responsible for a nominal registration fee and travel expenses to Chicago.  Please contact the CCD for more information or email law-patentprogram@luc.edu with any questions.

AMERICAN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW ASSOCIATION JOB FAIR (AIPLA)
Washington, DC
This Fair is held every October in Washington, DC.  Membership in AIPLA is mandatory for participation.  Application forms and more information can be found at www.aipla.org.

SAN FRANCISCO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW ASSOCIATION CAREER FAIR
San Francisco, CA
This Fair is held every July in San Francisco, CA.  Registration is available in May, and the registration deadline is in June.  Membership in the San Francisco Intellectual Property Law Association (SFIPLA) is mandatory; however, you do not need to be a resident of the San Francisco area in order to be a member.  For information on membership and the career fair, go to www.sfipla.com.