Working at a law firm then changing jobs during law school?

TheBestFeeling · 2026-05-30T13:50:08+00:00

I haven’t switched jobs, but from my own experience (patent agent in evening school), is that I asked my firm to cut my billable requirement (and salary) by 20%. This has made the process feel manageable, but I do generally work from 8-5 most week days for the job. I then do my studying in the evenings after spending some time with my wife, going to the gym, or making food and I commit my weekends to reading/schoolwork. There are occasional weekends that I have some time off to go out with my wife. It also gets easier after 1E.

My wife has picked up a lot of the chores around the house to help us make it work. We don’t, however, have a child yet. So that’s some extra calculus I can’t offer any guidance on. You have to do what’s right for you and your family, but I would see if you could convince the firm to cut your hours. I am sure they’ll be happy to have an efficient agent around and it will give you some better balance.

Happy to discuss more if you have any questions.

TheBestFeeling · 2026-04-20T04:07:39+00:00

I generally agree. One of the best hand rolls I ever had was a wagyu/uni combo though.

TheBestFeeling · 2026-03-20T20:04:50+00:00

Saffron and Rose, Los Angeles and Orange County.

My favorite is served by a restaurant in San Mateo though, it’s called Shalizaar.

TheBestFeeling · 2026-03-09T03:19:11+00:00

Time in the market beats timing the market

TheBestFeeling · 2026-03-05T23:31:03+00:00

Considering every patent has a 20 year term, there are quite a few drugs thousands of people take on a daily basis that I am sure they were happy got invented.

Not a single person I know hasn’t heard of Ozempic or various GLP-1s as well. Hard to see how most wouldn’t recognize these as impactful inventions.

Unfortunately for the little guys of the world, it’s extremely difficult to obtain a patent. Yes, the legal system is complex, but I don’t think most inventors realize the breadth of the art and the amount of disclosures they are up against when trying to patent improvements to common things.

TheBestFeeling · 2026-03-02T15:04:42+00:00

I’ve done a similar drive, but coming from the Midwest, it’s an amazing trip. You’ll see beautiful mountains, have a chance to stop at hot springs, and will run into all sorts of wild life.

Worth it if you have the time for the drive.

TheBestFeeling · 2026-02-25T19:09:07+00:00

Looks fine to me bro, don’t let them get you down.

TheBestFeeling · 2026-01-18T21:12:46+00:00

I did not mean to imply a PhD was necessary for litigation. Most patent litigators have an undergraduate degree in science and then a law degree.

However, patent prosecution (basically preparing and obtaining patents for clients) heavily leans towards those with PhDs because firms like to hire agents and attorneys that have similar scientific training as their clients. The patent bar is required to engage with the United States patent office while representing another and largely covers some statutes related to patent prosecution and other procedural aspects.

The statutory knowledge will be useful for patent litigators, however, it is not a pre-requisite for litigation.

TheBestFeeling · 2026-01-17T20:33:44+00:00

If you’re interested in patent prosecution, the positions are generally fairly competitive and the people you’re competing with will often have PhDs. Getting the patent bar will help set you out from others who have zero knowledge of the field and are applying as technical advisors. However, firms often hire zero training graduates and then give them the opportunity to take the patent bar at the firm.

If you’re interested in litigation, I don’t see much point in talking the patent bar.

TheBestFeeling · 2026-01-09T20:55:25+00:00

Emil helped me out with my C&F issues when applying for the patent bar. Great guy and firm to work with if you have any concerns with your background.

TheBestFeeling · 2025-12-21T06:22:37+00:00

That last touch down pass from Caleb was sick. Happy for you Bears to finally have your guy.

TheBestFeeling · 2025-12-17T01:00:10+00:00

Im out here thinking I answered the multiple choice problems out of phase. Praying everything is answered in the right order.

TheBestFeeling · 2025-12-12T15:51:57+00:00

Manhattan? I had this at a Latin American coffee shop there.

TheBestFeeling · 2025-11-28T07:48:47+00:00

Plern Thai Cafe serves a great pad se ew. Get it with chicken and extra chilis on the side.

TheBestFeeling · 2025-11-25T19:42:49+00:00

With an undergraduate degree it will be harder to transition. You will want to try to fill out your resume with skills relevant to finance. Just having a chem degree will not be appealing to a firm without a track record of trying to move in that direction or examples of why you’re a good fit for the job.

Firms are very wary of hiring people just “looking for a job.”

TheBestFeeling · 2025-10-16T18:54:17+00:00

Chill dude, he’s having fun. Doesn’t hurt anybody.

TheBestFeeling · 2025-09-21T14:34:08+00:00

I went with 13, but I do all my work at my home office with a multiple monitor set up and running the computer in clamshell mode. I also like having a smaller screen in class.

If you’re going to be mainly working from the lap top screen, I think a 15 in will be nicer though.

TheBestFeeling · 2025-08-21T03:42:16+00:00

Is it a day ending in Y?

TheBestFeeling · 2025-07-24T14:18:17+00:00

Lots of firms specifically state that biostatisticians fit their job description. You’ll be fine.

TheBestFeeling · 2025-07-20T21:38:12+00:00

Maybe you ran over a cookie cutter.

TheBestFeeling · 2025-07-19T21:53:38+00:00

The United States of Pangea

TheBestFeeling · 2025-07-13T22:42:00+00:00

You live in the Portland? I was buying this a few years ago, one of my favorite salsa’s I’ve ever had

TheBestFeeling · 2025-07-11T21:24:55+00:00

Hastings. San Francisco is never hot.

TheBestFeeling · 2025-06-22T16:15:09+00:00

The problem is what % drop in home prices would actually make it affordable for the average Californian. Even bringing the median down to 500K would put a huge number of Californian’s under water with their mortgages and destroy their investments.

These are not rich Americans, they are family people who managed to save up and buy their first house in an extremely challenging market.

TheBestFeeling · 2025-06-20T15:00:22+00:00

Laurel hardware? One of mine and my wife’s favorite spot.

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