united-states
What field of law would I specialize in for cases dealing with technology?
<p>I am considering getting into the field of law. I am currently an engineer and technologist. What field of law would I need to specialize in to get cases that deal with technology?</p>

<p>Patent law, especially patent prosecution (writing patent applications and working with the US Patent &amp; Trademark Office to get those applications granted), is the most common area of law for scientists and engineers to enter. Patent prosecution does not require a law degree, but does require a science or engineering undergraduate degree.</p>

<p>On the other hand, patent litigation (going to court over alleged infringement of granted patents) and other technology-focused areas of law (e.g., IP transactions) do generally require a law degree (and not a technical degree), and so you would have to spend a good deal of time and money on law school.</p>

<p>The most obvious specialty is patent law specifically (which usually requires an engineering or science degree) and intellectual property law generally (which often does not).</p>

<p>But, representing technology firms in their business dealings (e.g. in securities law disclosures of risks that investors face if they invest in a technology) is also relevant.</p>
