Is it worth it to transition from Patent Agent to Patent Attorney? I’m currently a Patent Agent with a Ph.D. and have been at the same law firm for 5 years. How much more work/hours is expected from an attorney (compared to agent)? How much worse would my work-life balance be? Is my job more stable as an agent?

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

Yes your work life balance will be worse. Presumably you will have to bill more hours (I am surprised you don’t know what the requirement is for associates at your firm) and at a higher billing rate. If that’s what you care about (hard to say whether it will be SIGNIFICANTLY worse) then no probably not worth it.

From a financial viewpoint, yes it’s worth it. Again I would assume your firm will cover your law school which makes the financial decision incredibly easy. You’ll also make a lot more as an attorney at most places

smart

I don't think your job is more stable as an agent, but the work-life balance can be worse depending on your specific firm and what you're currently billing

You’ll be required to bill hundreds of more hours, and you’ll be expected to participate in non-billable work in escalating amounts.

Related Posts

Hi Guys,
I'm looking for a Senior Consultant role in Automation/RPA or other emerging technology teams.

Total YoE - 2

Happy Sunday, watch lovers.

Post Photo
like

Hello Folks!

I am a business analyst at a travel company and would like to transition into product management at one of the big five, can someone help me how i can apply or if you could refer me.

like

Does anyone know of any credit shops in Austin looking for people

like

I had been working on a huge film for the past two years. I did the script, produced and directed. The company backing me is now defunct and so is my project alongside them. I'm so heartbroken, can anyone share any encouragement?

like

Looking to move to NYC within the next year. What’s the job pool look like out there?

like

Would you still move forward with a company if they put you on the back burner and said they’d reach out if their preferred candidates don’t work out?

like

How's IBM Control Desk project in Capgemini Engineering ? Any idea..

like

How much salary a 11yoe IT professional could expect at AIRBUS?

like

I'm selected as Assistant Consultant role, Just want to know after how many years next pramotion will be as Associate Consultant ?

like

As a producer what do you look for in a directors reel before sharing with your creatives?

like

Any websites/resources to prepare for supply chain interviews?

like

Welcome! Candidate Experience can and will impact your bottom line. Let's talk about how to elevate your Candidate Experience.

I have heard that PwC AC has been laying off the employees- I am actively joining PwC india and not PwC AC - I hope PwC India is also not doing lay offs!

like

How much percentage Variable payout can we can expect in Accenture during first year for lateral hire?

like

Do any of your companies offer coworking benefits? For instance if you’re fully remote, do they offer a monthly stipend to be used at coworking locations near you? Or anything similar in nature?

like

Just moved to London! Super excited but feeling underdressed compared to my British counterparts. What are some casual and/or workwear clothing stores you’d recommend?

like

The work crush struggle is real, y’all

like

Looking for a job change.
Industry- Fintech
YOE- 5 years
Current CTC- 8 LPA

Let me know if there is any opening.

like

Additional Posts in Patent Prosecution

Do you work somewhere where quality is valued over efficiency? Where can I find this? In-house? Small boutique?

like

Any recommendations for patent prosecution practice management software for a small firm? Currently not using anything and want to be able to better manage and monitor associates.

Has anyone regretted going in-house as patent counsel? If so, were you able to successfully transition back to a firm?

like

Hi, are there any women-owned patent firms in the SF Bay Area that focus on patent prosecution in computer technologies? Thanks!

likehelpful

Any tips on starting a solo patent law firm from working in Biglaw? Worth it?

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

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

Reposting from litigation bowl. Question about patent term extension. Let's say the patent covers i) product A and ii) A in combination with B. PTE is granted based on the combination of A and B. This is the first marketing approval of A. Would the extended patent cover someone using combination A and C? I don't think so but would love to have input.

Is it the same answer if someone else was using A, B, and C?

like

Which IP firm has best in-house exit options?

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

Does anyone have any experience with Sterne Kessler? Thinking of hopping over, and am wondering if it’s a good fit for me.

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

Any recommendations for a document management system that automatically saves emails into the proper folders?

like

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

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.

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

like

Any good recommendations for patent industry magazines with regular print editions? too much of my keeping up to date is by blogs.

Bit of a niche topic: I’ve been in TS/SCI processing for a Science/Tech/Weapons analyst position with the CIA for 3 yrs since I finished grad school in chemistry, but CIA positions are sort of set it and forget it since they can take so long. I’ve since been focused on a Patent Attorney track and am with a firm that will support me taking the patent bar/law school. If I get through processing and go to the CIA for some time, do you think would I be accepted back into patent law later on?

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

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

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

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

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