Intellectual Property Lawyers Job Description, Duties & Salary

Overview

Intellectual Property Lawyer—Career Q&A: Professional Advice and Insight

Intellectual property lawyers focus on the protection of creative thought. They may work with patents to protect their clients' inventions and discoveries; copyrights to protect works their clients have authored, such as music or software programs; and trademarks to protect brand names and symbols associated with their clients' businesses. Intellectual property (IP) attorneys may also work with companies to protect their trade secrets. "While not formally or publicly registered, trade secrets are statutorily protected intellectual property," according to the American Bar Association. IP lawyers are kept busy during periods of economic productivity, protecting emerging new ideas and creations such as Internet sites and scientific discoveries. According to the Franklin Pierce Center for Intellectual Property, the United States is the largest producer of intellectual property in the world.

Salary Range

$50,000 to $100,000+

Minimum Education Level

Law Degree

Certification/License

Required

Outlook

Faster than the Average

Personality Traits

Conventional

Organized

Problem-Solving