Patent Attorney Job Information
The process in which inventors and product developers go through to get a patent is often a long and difficult one. Patent attorneys specialize in patent law issues of all kinds, ranging from how to navigate the application process to defending against claims of infringement. In addition to being licensed attorneys, patent attorneys must also be admitted to the patent bar.
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Duties
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Patent attorneys spend their careers learning the intricacies of patent law and using their knowledge and skills helping their clients with patent issues. These attorneys can consult with potential clients who want to patent an invention, conduct patent research to see if there are any similar or identical products already patented, prepare patent applications, ensure the patent is filed and pursued and pursue litigation to defend patents against infringers and other subsequent legal problems. Patent attorneys can work for law firms, corporations or government agencies.
Education and Training
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Patent attorneys must be admitted to the bar of at least one state. This requires them to graduate from law school and pass the bar exam. They must also be admitted to the patent bar, meaning they must take and pass the United States Patent and Trademark Office registration examination. Generally, patent attorneys must be educated both in patent law and a technical or scientific field of study. Many patent attorneys have undergraduate degrees in engineering, computer science, physics, biology, chemistry or other related fields.
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Work Environments
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Patent attorneys can spend long hours in an office or library setting, researching laws, cases and patent filings. These attorneys often spend long days at work, with many working 50 or more hours per week. Travel is sometimes required, especially when meeting with clients.
Skills
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Patent law is very detail oriented, and even more so than other attorneys, patent lawyers must have a keen attention to technical and scientific details. Their grasp of language must be excellent, and the ability to express complicated, technical information verbally and orally is needed.
Jobs and Salary
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According to PayScale, the salary for patent attorneys with less than 1 year experience in 2010 ranged between $39,000 and $95,000. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the demand for attorneys will grow about as fast as average between 2008 and 2018. The best job prospects for patent attorneys will be for those who have a technical background and who can pass the patent bar.
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References
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