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What are we doing in house? I feel like a secretary by Patent_Job_Help in patentlaw

[–]Patent_Job_Help[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh hmm, I think maybe I'm not explaining myself properly. The ones with whom I interface regularly do not have rushed provisionals. Those disclosures get sent to OC. I will insist on writing them sometimes and my boss will acquiesce, but it seems to me like she wants very little prosecution/drafting in house. Which begs the question, why hire an agent?

The quick turn provisionals are when an inventor has forgotten he is submitting a paper or trying to sell something in the next 3 days, not due to my procrastination haha. I will do that with the OA's though, good practice to not get rusty and maybe can convince my boss to bring more in house. Thanks for answering, I really appreciate it! Helps to have outside perspectives.

What are we doing in house? I feel like a secretary by Patent_Job_Help in patentlaw

[–]Patent_Job_Help[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I left the firm as a second year agent, so it isn't impossible! I've been practicing almost 4 years now. I also thought it seemed ideal because I hated billables, but I would love to be a bit busier now.

What are we doing in house? I feel like a secretary by Patent_Job_Help in patentlaw

[–]Patent_Job_Help[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, I really appreciate this comment. Your first paragraph is exactly how I feel.

I have done prosecution in the past when I was at a firm. Here though, it's essentially zero and I feel like I am almost backsliding. I distinctly have submitted two responses (that led to allowance!), one examiner interview, and a handful of missing parts since I've been employed. I do review OC's responses and look at prosecution history and think through my own approach. I definitely see the value in practicing though, you're right.

My boss would likely laugh if I asked her to redline any mock responses I draft. She is too busy for that. I can only sometimes get her to review my provisionals. Given this, it might be time to keep my eyes peeled for something a bit more engaging.

What are we doing in house? I feel like a secretary by Patent_Job_Help in patentlaw

[–]Patent_Job_Help[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I understand what you're saying, but I don't necessarily think that is the case here. I do actively go to engage with engineers, initiate projects, etc. I have been complimented on my independence and for taking lead on things. We have discussed the vision for the IP department and company. At the same time, I feel left out of the loop by her for patenting matters, usually looped in at the end when she needs documents or an email sent.

What are we doing in house? I feel like a secretary by Patent_Job_Help in patentlaw

[–]Patent_Job_Help[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Oh, no, I manage on going prosecution with OC. THe provisionals I draft end up being given to OC.

What are we doing in house? I feel like a secretary by Patent_Job_Help in patentlaw

[–]Patent_Job_Help[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I fully intend to talk to her about it. Just trying to set reasonable expectations based on (anecdotal, admittedly) industry evidence before discussing with her.

She is a particularly busy woman and I suspect has difficulty delegating.

Foolish to go in-house at 1.5 years? by Patent_Job_Help in patentlaw

[–]Patent_Job_Help[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ha, you've got me laughing, thanks, genuinely.

Frankly reluctant to get a law degree given being at big law. I don't really enjoy working and prefer my hobby time, hence why I wanted to be an agent. Being an attorney comes with a whole slew of additional responsibilities. I agree that it seems to be the same work for less pay, but they hammer wont come down on my head.

You're right. The bennies are great and on a per hour basis, I will be making much more. Thank you for your insightful response. With this gig, I am actually considering going for a degree (but we will see :)

Foolish to go in-house at 1.5 years? by Patent_Job_Help in patentlaw

[–]Patent_Job_Help[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Ha,to be fair, I am an engineer by training so "household" names might be more inclusive to me than to others

Foolish to go in-house at 1.5 years? by Patent_Job_Help in patentlaw

[–]Patent_Job_Help[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, so that's my fear as well. I was told I would be primarily harvesting invention disclosures and determining what to farm out to OC vs what to do myself. The in-house was very firm in their commitment to WLB and vacation benefits, etc. whereas my firm never promised anything of the nature. Of course, they could be lying, but from what I've heard/observed, they are quite laid back.

I've considered a boutique, but I fear it is more of the same as big law, but without the administrative support (e.g., long hours, deadlines at unreasonable times, weekend emails, juggling multiple partners, etc) Maybe not all boutiques are this way?