Career as a Lawyer

WORKING AS AN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP) attorney can provide one of the most intriguing and lucrative career paths available today. IP lawyers perform many of the same duties as other types of lawyers. However, they focus on issues arising from unique creations of the human mind. They document and enforce patents for inventions; trademarks for businesses; and copyrights for authors, musicians, and publishers. At many organizations large or small, intellectual property is their most valuable asset. IP lawyers help individuals and businesses protect their ideas and products from unauthorized use, and ensure they are fairly compensated when those creations are licensed by others. Lawyers must complete seven years of college-level education, including three years of law school. They must also pass state exams and be admitted to the local bar association to obtain a license to practice law. Many IP lawyers who deal with patent law are also registered with the federal patent bar. IP law professionals provide advice to their clients, negotiate contracts, and sometimes litigate cases in civil or criminal court. IP attorneys may work for law firms, for private corporations, or for government agencies. The overall number of attorneys is expected to increase by almost 10 percent over the coming decade. The American Bar Association reports that there are more than 1.3 million US attorneys, while the American Intellectual Property Law Association currently lists some 14,000 members. Earnings for IP lawyers are similar to those of other attorneys, averaging almost $150,000 for experienced lawyers. Becoming an IP lawyer requires many of the same technical and personal skills as other attorneys, including solid communications skills, analytical thinking, and a thorough command of complex details. However, IP lawyers also need to be specialists in their fields of concentration. Patent attorneys often earn their bachelor's degrees in scientific disciplines, as they may work with pharmaceuticals, new computer innovations, or biotechnology research. Trademark attorneys work with businesses to protect their brand names, while copyright attorneys help creative artists such as authors and musicians profit from their works. IP law is a growing practice, as new scientific developments, digital media platforms, and new regulations have increased the complexity of IP issues in many industries. Tougher global competition and the Internet have increased the need for legal experts to combat online piracy, electronic content theft, and similar abuses. If you have good interpersonal, reasoning, and negotiating skills, you can build a rewarding career as an IP lawyer. The hours may be long and the work demanding, but the financial and personal rewards can be significant. Through proper training and hard work, you can achieve personal and professional satisfaction.