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Name: Jacob Weintraub Brown Affiliation: grad '97 Company/School: Lahive & Cockfield LLP Position: Technical Specialist Degree(s) Earned: ScB Chemistry, Brown University MS Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Ohio State University High School Valedictorian
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What
is your educational background — advanced degrees do you have (if
any) and are they a must for what you do? After
graduating as Valedictorian of my high school class, I obtained my
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Brown.
I went on to get my Master of Science in Synthetic Organic
Chemistry from The Ohio State University (OSU).
Furthering my education, I expect to graduate with my Juris
Doctorate from Suffolk University in May of 2005. Presently,
I am a technical specialist at Lahive & Cockfield LLP, a position
which does not require a law degree. As
a technical specialist, I provide scientific technical support to
patent attorneys. And
while not necessary, it is very helpful (especially in today’s
market) to have an advanced degree, e.g., at least a Masters degree,
but more preferably a Ph.D. In this regard, a large part of this
job is relating to scientists, who seem to relate better to you if you
are an advanced level scientist.
As such, I would recommend getting an advanced degree,
especially in chemistry. What
positions did you hold before your current position (what other jobs
led you to where you are now)? Yet,
while probably a little atypical for the profession, I have wanted to
work in patent law since high school.
In fact I will always be appreciative to my high school
chemistry teacher who convinced me to look into patent law; as he
thought that I had an aptitude for chemistry and math that would be a
shame to “waste” as a lawyer. And here I am… The
people are my favorite aspect of the job.
In fact, I really cannot say enough about the people, my
mentors and my coworkers alike. The
job of a technical specialist, as well as a patent attorney, is
comparatively well-paying; but more importantly is highly challenging.
In fact, I am constantly challenged as a chemist, yet I have had the
opportunity to work with people at all different levels of the
corporate world, such as CEOs, CSOs, and even bankers: nicely
combining cutting edge science with the respect and interaction of the
business arena. In fact, for example, one of the first patent
applications I wrote was for two Nobel laureates who would call me
just to “chat,” an amazing transition from my position as senior
research associate in the lab. Moreover, the excitement of
start-up companies combined with the intimate role that you play in
helping them get started provides adrenalin rushes on a daily basis. The
flexibility of the schedule is a definite plus (yet the flexibility is
a sliding scale: at the very early stages of your career it is
reduced, and it increases with experience and tenure).
In fact, on occasion, I have the opportunity and the
convenience of working from home. Things
to be aware of: As with most jobs you should love what you do; but I
think it is particularly true of this profession. The job can
involve a lot of stress, particularly with the responsibility of
monitoring a large docket as well as handling the everyday occurrences
that are typical of the profession. Tips:
It's important to work with good people. Therefore, I would
advise that you look for a firm where you will feel comfortable.
Also, when starting the interview process, understand a little bit
about patent law…you will be surprised how far it will get you. What
do you look for in a potential job candidate/ what qualities are most
important for someone in your field? |
