[OT] Attorneys on the EnWorld boards

[Synicism]

I've been in private practice for five years, focused in transactional information technology/intellectual property and promotional/advertising work.

Cool. Right now, I work for Lexis-Nexis in an editorial position. I'm currently pursuing an LLM in information technology and privacy law at John Marshall Law School in Chicago.

So, DB - you've got the job I'm hoping for. How's the practice been lately?

 

[Synicism]

You know, in California [and ONLY California, as I recall], you can be admitted to the state bar without a J.D. (law degree) by serving an apprenticeship at a firm. So you got that going for you...

I thought it was Vermont or New Hampshire that had a system like that.

 

[JPL]

I thought it was Vermont or New Hampshire that had a system like that.

Some other folks earlier on the thread suggest that I was wrong about Cali being the last bastion of the apprentice lawyer. Wouldn't be the first time I was wrong.

An update on my murder case: we're exploring the possiblity that our boy flipped out on Zoloft (which he'd only been taking for a week). There's some interesting case law on the subject (including an Australian Supreme Court case), but if we actually manage to knock this down to second-degree murder, I am officially epic-level.

 

[Synicism]

Good luck, JPL... though for the sake of confidentiality, it might be a good idea not to talk much more about the case while it's still pending. <g>

Never can tell when some judge or prosecutor will flip out over something like this.

 

[Tarek]

Zoloft

JPL--

Take a look at the onset time for zoloft, and talk to a pharmacist and/or your client's doctor about it. If your boy was only taking it for a week, it might not have actually kicked in yet.

And if you do use this defense, be aware that the prosecution might bring up the onset time in order to counter your claim.

Of course, IANAL.

Tarek

 

[Tzarevitch]

Re: why IP law?

Since I've seen several people mention it already, I may as well ask..

What's so great about Intellectual Property law?

As a recently graduated engineering student still trying to figure out what he wants to do with his life, every time I mention to someone I'm considering law school, IP law is always the first thing out of their mouth.

Thanks,

k.

Basically it is considered to be one of the better growth areas as far as practicing law is concerned. The field is growing VERY nicely and to date it has not been saturated by attorneys who are trained to practice that type of law because the requirements for patent law are fairly difficult.

If I remember correctly you need a science degree of some sort in order to take the Patent Bar. Most attorneys do not have a science background so there isn't nearly as much competition in that field while it has a strong demand. Also it pays VERY well. (My roommate got a job starting at $75,000 per year with a ranking about in the middle of his class.)

There is always a demand for regular trial attorneys but the market is tight in much of the country and it doesn't pay nearly as well unless you get fortunate and land a good starting job at a good-sized firm.

If you can land yourself in a position to go to law school and take the patent bar, it is a good idea to do so. Otherwise, I wouldn't recommend law school unless you are SURE that is what you want to do.

Tzarevitch

 

[Dingleberry]

Everything Tzarevitch said is spot on, but ONLY with regards to patent law. I would strongly disagree with anyyone who claims that intellectual property IN GENERAL is a field that is experiencing growth, or that's where the big bucks are.

Synicism, I hate to tell you this, but the IT practice in Chicago BLOWS lately. For example, my firm focused (notice the past tense) in emerging companies during the dot-com boom, and things have REALLY tanked over the past year and a half. After being forced to do litigation work (which I don't enjoy) to try to keep my hours up, I ended up going part-time rather than face the unspoken alternative of being sacked.

That said, some IP groups are doing fine, particularly those with a strong patent practice and/or pure IP boutiques. And the market will eventually cycle back, as it always has and always will.

 

[JPL]

Good luck, JPL... though for the sake of confidentiality, it might be a good idea not to talk much more about the case while it's still pending. <g>

Never can tell when some judge or prosecutor will flip out over something like this.

Fair enough.

Everyone ---- forget I mentioned any details of my case. I'll tell you all about the non-confidential stuff when it's over (around Thanksgiving).

 

[kalthak]

Thanks for the info guys. I think I may want to look into patent law in more detail. Can you recommend any good web sites for more information?

Thanks,

k.

 

[Oberton]

I've been in private practice for five years, focused in transactional information technology/intellectual property and promotional/advertising work.

Hum, I might need your services soon...