According to this new article from the Associated Press, “one of the hottest niches in law [is] the lawyer-scientist who understands technology and can explain it to a jury.”
Among the reasons: U.S. patent applications are up nearly 30% from five years ago and have become a topic of particular consideration to courts and the legislature.
Stanford law professor Mark Lemley, who was involved in two recent Supreme Court patent cases, says more law students are studying intellectual property and coming to law school after getting science degrees.
Some law schools have begun offering joint degree programs in science and law.