Getting Hired in the IP Field

 Regardless of how you find yourself less than gainfully employed (or about to be less than gainfully employed), it is helpful to know that all IP associates are not equal in terms of their supply / demand curves. 

It is generally assumed that all IP associates (and partners) tend to land on their feet after a major event like Dewey. This, I can say from personal experience, is not always the case. Depending on your technical background (you have a technical background, right?) the market tends to set the going rate of demand differently for different kinds of associates.

So, how does one increase their desirability in terms of greater chance of employment? Well, going to a really good law school is really helpful, but not an indication of success.  Going to a decent (not terrible) school and doing really well is probably not better than going to an excellent law school and not doing so hot, but it is a decent consolation prize. Obviously the preferred option would be to go to a good school and do really well (and date supermodels). So, taking a clutch of associates, all of whom did well in undergrad and went to an excellent law school, who gets hired first? Who is in demand?

Well, if you have been on any recruiter websites (or get the e-mails) you can quickly create a ranking based on demand. While the list moves around a bit depending on Litigation or Prosecution emphasis, the top spots of the list remain largely intact. So who is on top: 

Electrical Engineering

Computer Science

Mechanical engineering

Chemical Engineering 

Civil Engineering

Pharmaceutical / Biotech (PhD. level) 

Biology (Non- Phd.)

Trademark

The best way to get a job in the current IP landscape is to have an electrical engineering degree or a computer science degree.  The hardest way is to not have a technical degree at all. This doesn't mean that Trademark Associates do not get hired (we have hired a few recently), it just means that the supply greatly outstrips demand, and will for the foreseeable future.  

Jordan Garner, Leason Ellis, White Plains NY.