I first heard about the Patent Law Interview Program (PLIP) during the summer after my 1L year, which was too late. At the time I was upset because we were in the middle of a recession, and the “good” jobs were hard to come by. To further that, my friend that found a job at the PLIP explained to me that law firms are more likely to choose students from the PLIP because they know that those students are “serious” about patent law. Also, students at the PLIP are able to interview with firms before the firms travel to dozens of law schools looking for qualified students at On-Campus Interviews.
This is my second time writing for Santa Clara Law about the PLIP. After missing my opportunity to apply during my 1L year – simply because I didn’t know enough about the program – I try to share as much as I know about the PLIP and how much it can benefit 1Ls looking to enter patent law. When I was a 1L in 2009, I did not fully understand the significant differences between career fairs for prospective lawyers and career fairs for prospective engineers.
The first thing to know about the Loyola (Chicago) Patent Law Interview Program is that you must apply in February of your 1L year. This year, student registration opens on Monday, February 10, and closes on Monday, March 3. Don’t worry, you do not need your resume when you register, so spend the $35 to register today and then schedule time to have your resume reviewed if you have not already. In the past, SCU law has offered to pay the $35 for its students.
Hopefully, you already know more than I did as a 1L and understand how this type of quasi-career fair operates. Similar to On-Campus Interviews, students bid on up to 20 firms that they would like to work for between April 15 and May 1. On June 23, students may receive offers to interview with the firms that they bid on. If the student makes it past the first interview, they are typically invited to a “call-back” interview at the firm where they are interviewed by multiple attorneys. This way, if a student does not receive many offers to interview at the PLIP, they do not need to spend the time and money traveling to Chicago.
Unlike On-Campus Interviews, students may choose to bid on 20 firms from a group of over 100 firms across the nation. Although many students do not know much about firms at this stage, do as much homework as possible. For instance, if you are not sure whether you want to practice patent litigation or patent prosecution, apply to firms that offer both. It will pay off in the long run and you may be happier if you have options. Also, research the size of firm offices and the practice groups within those offices. Some firms may have a highly touted “Silicon Valley” office and advertise that they practice cyber law or startup law, while in reality that Silicon Valley office may be in Redwood City and only employ two associates. As with many things, sometimes it helps to play the odds and seek firms that hire many summer associates. A quick Google search will tell you which California firm hired the most summer associates last year, and which firms plan to increase hiring this year.
Now, I have both interviewed for associate positions, and interviewed potential associates for my firm during On-Campus Interviews at SCU. You will receive advice from everyone. I suppose my advice would be to be yourself, or at least act comfortable and confident. You will be stressed out once you are at your firm, don’t worry an interviewer by acting too stressed out. They will have to work with you if they pick you, and they want someone smart and easy to work with. So try not to stress too much. If you received the interview, you are qualified. Lawyers typically do not waste time doing things they do not have to do, such as interview unqualified students. Good luck, and please remember that not receiving a summer associate position through the PLIP or OCIs is, in fact, not the end of the world.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Carlos Rosario
Carlos Rosario is a registered patent associate practicing U.S. intellectual property law at Novak Druce Connolly Bove & Quigg LLP. His practice centers on computer technology including software and hardware, and startup work (e.g., corporate formation, etc.). He is available for questions at Carlos.Rosario@novakdruce.com
