Law students can leverage their legal education into a successful start to their legal careers by (1) choosing a practice area early, and concentrating their studies in that field; (2) taking practical skills classes, and participating in journals, clinics, and other extracurricular activities; and (3) finding an internship during law school.
Choosing a practice area early in law school is a critical component of starting one’s legal career on the right foot. For a student interested in Intellectual Property (IP) law, it is important to take courses in trademark, copyright, and patent law, and perhaps courses in international IP law, IP litigation, fashion law, and pharmaceutical law as well. In addition, courses in advanced legal research and practice skills, particularly those dedicated to certain practice areas such as patent prosecution, are extremely helpful in preparing for the procedural aspects of the legal profession.
It is also helpful to enroll in extracurricular activities such as law journals and clinics. Law journals will help improve not only legal writing skills, but editing, cite checking, and bluebooking skills as well. Clinics provide experience dealing with real clients with real issues and allow students to make the inevitable rookie mistakes in front of a faculty supervisor, rather than the managing partner of their first law firm.
Finally, it is important to seek out internships and clerkships during law school. These experiences provide the skills, as well as the connections, necessary to become a successful first year associate. Balancing a part-time internship with law school coursework and extra-curricular activities also prepares law students for the rigors of being a young associate.
By following the above recommendations, law students can start their careers as intellectual property attorneys on the right foot.
Michael Nesheiwat is an Associate at Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C.
Leveraging Law School
for a Career in
Intellectual Property
Michael Nesheiwat
Michael Nesheiwat