Robert A. Green Christie, Parker & Hale, LLPNovember 6, 2013
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGINEERS
IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION
All technical specialties
Many areas of the law
Valuable attributes General scientific and engineering
knowledge Logical thinking Hard work
Engineering degree is especially helpful in: Intellectual Property (IP) law Environmental law Product liability/Personal injury law Merger & Acquisition law Tax/Energy/Insurance law Testifying as a technical expert witness
PatentsTrade SecretsCopyrights Internet domain names
Securing rights
Evaluating rights
Negotiating rights
Asserting rights (or Defending)
Testifying as expert
IP law is a hot marketAll technologies
B.S. in ME/CE/EE/AE, etc. M.S. or Ph.D. in Biotech Work experience is a “plus”
Large GP Firms or IP BoutiquesSolo Practitioners
Remediation of polluted sites
Responsibility for Injuries/Damage
Examples: Erin Brokovich / PG&E Belmont Learning Center
Where technology is important to business
“IP Due Diligence” process
IP
▪ Patents / Trade Secrets ▪ Copyrights▪ Trademarks ▪ Domain Names▪ Contracts with creators
Tax Whether technology works Tax treatment
Energy Right to use resources (land/sunlight/water) Environmental concerns
(emissions/pipelines) Insurance
Cause of loss
Challenging workRewarding
Satisfaction Financial
DemandingLearning Curve
Thank You
Robert A. Green Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP