Hi there,
I recently passed by patent bar. I have a masters degree in Biochemistry. I am looking for a patent prosecution position. However I am told that it’s very difficult to get a job in patent prosecution in life science field if you do not have a PhD. Are there any law firms who will be willing to hire a patent attorney with a masters degree ?

Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

It’s very difficult, that was me with a MS in chemistry in Boston (couldn’t compete with PhD from Harvard or MIT). I did my time as a biotech/chemistry patent paralegal in a boutique firm, was poached by biglaw, and am now in-house as a patent paralegal with my company paying for my patent bar exam in September. It may have to be a roundabout way that you end up in a law firm as a patent attorney - would you consider in-house first?

like

Of perhaps 100 colleagues, I know 1 who does not have a PhD in bio/chem, but that 1 person had industry experience and is an absolute pleasure to work with, and excellent at the gig. Far better than most. So not sure it's fair, but the market of candidates runs against you. Personal contacts, industry experience, and demonstrated interest (e.g. patent bar) up your chances. Maybe smaller firms/boutiques could be a first job option for you.

that person might be me. would not recommend.

FWIW this was my situation and I consider my story a success. I took an untraditional route though by spending 10 years at the USPTO as a primary examiner before moving back to private practice as an Associate.

Related Posts

Hi Fishes,
I am an BScIT Graduate with experience of 5 years in BPO(Customer Service) currently working with TCS.

Ive been learning to be a data scientist (Ineuron Full Stack Data Science)

Considering having a hands an experience on 4-5 Projects with Internship Certificates, Is it possible to get an opportunity directly into a Data Scientist Role(NLP/ML)?

Or should i go and work as an Analyst first and then look for an opportunity at more adv role?
What would be your inputs/suggestions?

like
like

Anyone have ideas for jobs that are a mix between administration and clinical work? I went to school for community health and have a lot of manager/patient coordinator experience under my belt, but I'm also a volunteer EMT and would like to start using those skills in my next job that I'm searching for.

Most titles I've found interesting are along the "medical assistants" role, but don't fit the bill cause I don't have an MA license

like

I’ve worked in retail buying since graduating from college, but I am looking to pivot into interior design. However, I don’t know how to jump into the industry and don’t want to take a huge pay cut starting in an entry-level role. Has anyone else pivoted into interior design or have advice regarding how to get my foot in the door?

like

Can someone refer me to Management consulting/strategy role?

like

Fidelity referral: Can someone working at Fidelity International please refer my profile? I can share the job ID. Please help!

Post Photo
like
like

Hello Fishes,

I am about to join CTS as bid manager role in SAP. I don't have prior experience with bid management but have functional & implementation experience in SAP.
I just want to know how are the seniors in terms of helping and letting me grasp the process like shadowing etc happens or I would be bombarded with work?
I am a bit worried.

like

Can someone refer me to VMware

like

Looking for a salesforce referral, highly qualified, passionate product manager seeking something new! Will DM the role(s)!

like

Could anybody provide any insights about the role of an acon in the deal advisory- deal origination team at KPMG

like

Interviewing for Cyber Sec role. At very beginning they ask salary exp. I said usual way to postpone that question, and to figure out their range for role. On final interview and I mentioned 85-95k and they said it’s on the lower end for role…. Did I lowball myself?

Couldn’t get more info about sign on bonus, etc

like

Anyone looking for Devops opportunity in Wipro Bangalore ..please DM me for refferal..

like

Hello Fishes,

Anyone here as VP or AVP in barclays...I've came across with one very suitable opening with barclays... Can anyone reffer me please?

like

Interviewing for a Senior Analyst role in data science & analytics in Detroit. Any idea what salary I should be asking for? Don’t want to sell myself short, but having trouble finding market value. Thanks.

like

I lateraled from a small firm to regional big law last year. I was told that my offer was commensurate with class year (5th year). The firm recently increased first year salary, with a 5% increase for all other attorneys. My original salary was equal to the new first year salary. The difference between my new salary and a first year is now $10k. I think it is fairly obvious that the hiring partner was not truthful with me. How would you address this? Is another lateral move my only option?

like

Guys, does Barclays have any projects which works in Power Platform technology ( Power Apps, Power Automate, etc)??

I need a referal

like

Anybody looking for a KPMG referral? Happy to refer for roles and share my experience (strategy) if that’s helpful.

like

Openings at OpenText

DM me or send a mail to
referralhelp.op@gmail.com.

Please mention YOE, preferred location(blr/hyd), tech stack and the job id.

For other openings visit the career portal
https://careers.opentext.com/go/India/2619917/

Post Photo
like

Can anyone refer me to commonwealth bank for technical Business Analyst postion in bengaluru.
Thanks in advance

More Posts

What’s the best credit card for a married couple who shared finances? We were thinking American Express but kind of lost.

like

Bain & Company Hello, I received an offer as a Senior Practice Manager at Bain. The profit sharing range is 0-12% in the offer letter. Is it typical to receive the midpoint (6%)? Also, what do the annual salary increases typically look like? Any insights are much appreciated. Bain & Company Boston Consulting Group McKinsey & Company

When is 2023 on-cycle kicking off? I've been reached out to by a couple HHs to fill out intro forms

like

I am thinking to switch my career from being an auditor to software. How hard it is to switch? Has anyone done this? What are your experiences? Thank you.

like

I tried asking this in my own bowl with no responses, so seeing if other consultants have run into this situation. I’m on parental leave, I got an offer for another firm, great opportunity and pay. How does one go about a resignation mid-leave when you would start the new job before the leave ends? Two weeks notice or just say I am not returning effective the day of the new job? Any things to consider besides potentially repaying the employer healthcare premium?

like

Any Metallica fans here ?

likehelpful

What’s an appropriate raise to ask for after a strong year? Last year I received close to 10%, though I’m still underpaid. Was thinking about asking for 15%?

like

What firms have different levels for admin? Anyone in the Twin Cities looking for admin?

like

Why is this bowl so quiet?

like

Anyone have a sense of the salary range for a Data Science Consultant with Adventure Federal Services? DC area, TS-SCI but no master's degree.

like

Hi fellow men,

Needed a fashion advise, what do you think about rose gold plated watch eg the pic here.

Your comment on whether should go for it or not and can it be used causally with jeans and tshirt?

Price is around 10k, brand Armani Exchange

Post Photo

PwC Bangalore hasn’t provided the hike o promotion letter yet. Is there a way to see the performance bonus and the hike??

like

How is DXC in terms of job security & onsite opportunity ?

like

Hi Fishes, Can someone refer me, have the job id with me?
Thanks

like

A good friend is looking for a Hispanic multicultural strategy/ planning director- based in NYC.

Any any insight on Greenberg Traurig?

like

I am defending an eviction for a client who has given possession of the property (as of Nov. 30). Plaintiff’s complaint has one claim – possession. They did request relief for attorney’s fees. NJT/Final Hearing commenced 10/27, was only 30 min and was therefore continued to 12/20. Plaintiff had counsel at that time but they are no longer represented.  I want to file something notifying Court that Plaintiff claim is now moot, making sure that judgment is not entered that hurts (cont'd)..

like

Any insight into compensation at Gunster in Miami? Is it lockstep? What does it start at?

like

Additional Posts in Patent Prosecution

How many billable hours do people in prosecution tend to average each month? I’ve gone through waves of feeling like my billable hours requirement is reasonable to feeling like I’m drowning and can’t possibly do it for that long.

like

Where the best way to process POA for a large number of patent applications?

Is it to get a form 82 signed and attach it to different transmittals for each application and file separately in each case? Is there an easier way?

Does anyone’s practice also include patent lit? I’m thinking of switching from prosecution to litigation (my firm has separate lit and pros practice groups). If you practice patent lit, is there anything that you dislike about it/anything you wish you would have known earlier?

like

What do folks find most frustrating about patent prosecution? Drafting, OAs, client relations, other?

For me, I dislike drafting the spec to explicitly recite the basic things it does, eg, server talks to client to do <basic action>.

like

Has anyone on here ever requested redaction of a filed application? I'm looking to redact a few paragraphs of a provisional application.

What are the pros and cons of the following IP boutique firms: Finnegan, Fish, Banner Witcoff, Oblon, Knobbe?

like

In what order do you draft a patent application? I know the official answer is “it depends.” But what do you find yourself do most often? For me, it’s claims —> drawings —> spec.

like

What do hiring partners (or HR in in-house) generally think about a lateral that are in the middle of a part-time MS degree program (STEM MS program)?

like

A frustrated colleague asked for help with a difficult prosecution. I agreed to help. I just reviewed up the case and the examiner is combining NINE references. I think that’s a record for me. What’s your record for most number of references combined?

like

How long does it take you to draft a patent application on average?

like

For those at small/medium patent pros boutiques, what is your compensation structure, billing requirements, and salary like?

I’m a patent pros. paralegal working in bio/chem at my firm, 26 yo with an MS in Chem at 100k and a 115 hr billable req.
After the mental beat down that was grad school, I’m happy to have straightforward tasks and mentally coast, but my attys want me to start studying for the patent bar asap.
I like where I’m at and I know that once I start down the tech spec/agent/attorney path, it’s going to be full speed. How long do you think I can/should stay in this position before starting to study?

like

Having some severe Executive Dysfunction atm. I can't imagine that the patent attorney bowl here is short on the neurodivergent. Suggestions/tips/tricks/advice are all appreciated. I recently moved, bought my first home, got vaccinated, etc. - basically just a huge load of stressful events that are probably doing a number on my brain, but I also just can't seem to get on top of.

Please, if you're neurotypical, think thrice before posting - I'm not normal, and want help, not stress or dismiss

like

How do firms handle export control rules compliance for inbound disclosures for new filings?
Do you make the determination of export control classification number (ECCN) yourself based on each inbound disclosure? Do you ask the client to provide the ECCN, if they know it? Do you play ostrich? Or something else?

like

Taking the patent bar in a week and it’s been so tough studying while working. I’m so behind in my hours this month, and my firm (midlaw, IP only) was pretty clear that they expect my hours to stay on track this month regardless of the exam. I don’t know how I’m going to get through this week and then make it through 6 hours of testing. Please tell me the afternoon session is easier than the morning session, like some others have said 🙏🏽

like

Subject matter eligibility "doctrines" .... lol amirite?

likefunny

Any recommendations for free or reasonably priced CLE courses for patent prosecution?

like

In prosecution, if a patent attorney does not try to remove prior art cited by an examiner (eg a 130 affidavit to assert an exception under102(b)(1)(A)), but instead makes arguments to overcome the art, may the attorney made an admission that bars removing the art later in prosecution. Just received such a transfer case, looking for options.

Is it reasonably possible to jump from patent prosecution to trademark prosecution?

Can anyone give me a how to for making a Request for Rectification under PCT rule 91.1? ISA is the US, filed with the USRO.

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal