Careers Combining Chemistry and the Law

1 Careers Combining Chemistry and the Law M A R C U S B. F I N N E G A N

Downloaded by 128.122.230.132 on September 5, 2016 | http://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: June 1, 1977 | doi: 10.1021/ba-1977-0161.ch001

Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, and Garrett, 1775 Κ St., N.W., Washington, D . C. 20006

The logic and discipline acquired in the study of chemistry and chemical engineering can be readily transmuted into the study and practice

of law.

Lawyers with an under

graduate degree in chemistry traditionally

enter the

prac

tice of patent law. New avenues, however, have opened up, particularly with the burgeoning development of consumer ism.

Product liability,

environmental

law, and food and

drug law are examples of the possibilities. transfer of technology from industrialized

The field of the nations to

developing nations provides an especially important tunity for a lawyer with a chemical background half

of

the

technology

transferred

today

the

oppor

since over is

chemical

technology.

"e are i n a n i n t e r e s t i n g s i t u a t i o n i n t h e w o r l d t o d a y . I t is a t i m e of * ^ explosive c h a n g e .

O n l y 150 generations

ago

m a n acquired the

a b i l i t y to c o m m u n i c a t e f r o m one g e n e r a t i o n to the next b y r e c o r d i n g his h i s t o r y , t h e r e b y p r e s e r v i n g t h e a c c u m u l a t e d k n o w l e d g e of e a c h g e n e r a t i o n a n d p r o v i d i n g the means to pass i t a l o n g to t h e next. O n l y 14 g e n erations ago t h e p r i n t i n g press w a s i n v e n t e d a n d p u t i n t o use. F o r t h e first t i m e i t w a s p o s s i b l e to disseminate k n o w l e d g e g e n e r a l l y . O n l y six generations ago m a n o b t a i n e d steam p o w e r — f i v e generations ago, t r a n s p o r t a t i o n b y r a i l r o a d s — f o u r generations ago, t h e t e l e p h o n e — t h r e e

gen

erations ago, the i n t e r n a l c o m b u s t i o n e n g i n e , a n d a l l i t has m e a n t to u s , b o t h g o o d a n d b a d — t w o generations ago, r a d i o a n d t e l e v i s i o n . W i t h i n just the p a s t g e n e r a t i o n w e h a v e seen t h e e v o l u t i o n a n d g e n e r a l use o f t h a t a m a z i n g d e v i c e , the c o m p u t e r , w h i c h is c h a n g i n g a l l o u r l i v e s . T h e s e achievements are e v i d e n c e of the i n c r e d i b l y a c c e l e r a t e d p a c e of c h a n g e that exists i n the w o r l d t o d a y .

N o one c a n afford to s t a n d

s t i l l , or h e w i l l b e p a s s e d b y . O v e r 9 0 % of t h e engineers w h o h a v e ever 1

Niederhauser and Meyer; Legal Rights of Chemists and Engineers Advances in Chemistry; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1977.

2

LEGAL

RIGHTS O F CHEMISTS A N D ENGINEERS

b e e n t r a i n e d i n the h i s t o r y of t h e w o r l d are s t i l l p r a c t i c i n g t o d a y . A m a z i n g l y e n o u g h , the t o t a l r e c o r d e d k n o w l e d g e i n t h e w o r l d t o d a y has d o u b l e d since 1950. T h e rate of g r o w t h of o u r k n o w l e d g e a n d t e c h n o l o g y m e a n s

both

t u r b u l e n c e a n d o p p o r t u n i t y . B e c a u s e of t h e t e c h n o l o g y e x p l o s i o n , there is a l a r g e r o p p o r t u n i t y t h a n b e f o r e f o r a career r e l a t i n g c h e m i s t r y w i t h the l a w . A career i n c h e m i s t r y , of course, represents a c o m m i t m e n t

to

k e e p i n g u p w i t h the t e c h n o l o g y e x p l o s i o n . A career i n l a w , o n the other h a n d , is a c o m m i t m e n t to a m e l i o r a t e a n d to m i t i g a t e t h e d i s p l a c e m e n t s i n o u r s o c i a l a n d l e g a l structures t h a t are c a u s e d b y the


g r o w t h of

fast-paced

technology.

C a r e e r s w h i c h i n t e r r e l a t e c h e m i s t r y a n d the l a w are n o t as u n u s u a l as one m i g h t suspect.

A p e r s o n m a y o b t a i n a degree i n c h e m i s t r y or

c h e m i c a l e n g i n e e r i n g to p u r s u e a l i f e - l o n g career as a c h e m i s t or c h e m i c a l engineer.

S o m e t i m e s , h o w e v e r , h e finds t h a t a career i n c h e m i s t r y does

n o t p r o v i d e h i m w i t h t h e satisfactions h e a n t i c i p a t e d . H e m a y desire a career t h a t i n v o l v e s m o r e contact w i t h p e o p l e a n d less d i r e c t w i t h chemistry.

T h i s s e q u e n c e of changes

contact

i n career objectives

often

leads to a desire to p u r s u e the p r a c t i c e of l a w . F o r t u n a t e l y , i t is s u r p r i s i n g l y easy to t r a n s m u t e t h e d i s c i p l i n e of c h e m i s t r y i n t o the d i s c i p l i n e of l a w .

T h o u g h t processes i n these

two

d i s c i p l i n e s are closely analogous, a n d t h e y t e n d to cross-support other.

each

T o s t u d y c h e m i s t r y successfully, a p e r s o n m u s t h a v e the a b i l i t y

to construct a p e r s u a s i v e s y l l o g i s m . T h i s same a b i l i t y is, of course,

a

p r i m a r y asset to a n y l a w y e r . B o t h c h e m i s t r y a n d t h e l a w are f o u n d e d o n l o g i c a l a n d s y m m e t r i c a l bases.

O r g a n i c c h e m i s t r y f o l l o w s a v e r y l o g i c a l system.

C e r t a i n rules

m u s t b e o b e y e d , a n d i f one violates these rules, h e does n o t get d e s i r e d results.

T h e s t u d y of c h e m i s t r y teaches

inductive reasoning.

the

both deductive

and

A g o o d l a w y e r r e q u i r e s b o t h of these s k i l l s .

For

e x a m p l e , i f a l a w y e r is w r i t i n g a b r i e f to c o n v i n c e a n a p p e l l a t e (xmrt t h a t i t s h o u l d reverse a d e c i s i o n m a d e b y a l o w e r c o u r t , h e w i l l h a v e to t a k e e s t a b l i s h e d l e g a l p r i n c i p l e s f r o m e a r l i e r cases a n d , p r i m a r i l y u s i n g d e d u c t i v e l o g i c , c o n t r i v e t h e m to c o n s t r u c t a p e r s u a s i v e s y l l o g i s m . A t the b e g i n n i n g o f a l a w s u i t , a l a w y e r m a y c o l l e c t m a n y

docu-

m e n t s , m o s t l y a u t h o r e d b y a witness or i n c l u d i n g letters a d d r e s s e d

to

t h a t w i t n e s s . T h e l a w y e r t h e n prepares to take this witness's t e s t i m o n y b y oral examination

(called a deposition)

outside the courtroom

d i s c o v e r w h a t facts the w i t n e s s k n o w s a b o u t t h e case.

This

to

exercise

r e q u i r e s the l a w y e r to s t u d y a n d t o a n a l y z e these d o c u m e n t s to l e a r n , t h r o u g h i n d u c t i v e l o g i c , w h a t m o t i v a t e s this p a r t i c u l a r w i t n e s s , w h a t p r o m p t e d h i m to m a k e the statements t h a t h e m a d e i n c e r t a i n letters, w h a t objectives h e w a s s e e k i n g , a n d w h a t admissions h e m i g h t n o w m a k e .


1.

FiNNEGAN

Chemistry and the

3

Law

I n a d e p o s i t i o n b y o r a l e x a m i n a t i o n b e f o r e t r i a l , the witnesses t h e l a w y e r w i l l b e e x a m i n i n g are n o r m a l l y h o s t i l e or adversary. I n these s i t u a tions i n d u c t i v e l o g i c c a n b e a p o w e r f u l w e a p o n w h i c h enables the l a w y e r t o d i v i n e w h a t k i n d of p e r s o n the w i t n e s s is, h o w h e is l i k e l y to a n s w e r questions, w h a t his biases are, a n d h o w the l a w y e r c a n s t r e n g t h e n h i s own

case o r w e a k e n his opponent's

t h r o u g h t h e e x a m i n a t i o n of this

witness. L a w s c h o o l records s h o w t h a t persons t r a i n e d i n science a n d e n g i n e e r i n g t y p i c a l l y d o e x c e p t i o n a l l y w e l l i n l a w school. somewhat Downloaded by 128.122.230.132 on September 5, 2016 | http://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: June 1, 1977 | doi: 10.1021/ba-1977-0161.ch001

fields

This may

surprising, given the conventional w i s d o m that such

seem major

of s t u d y as e n g l i s h l i t e r a t u r e , e c o n o m i c s , p h i l o s o p h y , h i s t o r y , a n d

p o l i t i c a l science a n d g o v e r n m e n t are m o r e closely r e l a t e d to, a n d t h e r e f o r e b e t t e r p r e p a r a t o r y t r a i n i n g for, the s t u d y of l a w t h a n science

or

e n g i n e e r i n g . I n a c t u a l p r a c t i c e , h o w e v e r , the t r a i n i n g r e c e i v e d b y c h e m ists a n d engineers i n u n d e r g r a d u a t e s c h o o l fits e x c e p t i o n a l l y w e l l i n t o t h e f r a m e w o r k of t h e a n a l y t i c a l c a p a b i l i t i e s a g o o d l a w s t u d e n t

and

l a w y e r m u s t possess. O n e m a y w e l l ask: h o w d o y o u go a b o u t a c q u i r i n g a l a w d e g r e e i f y o u are a c h e m i s t o r a c h e m i c a l e n g i n e e r ?

T h e m a j o r p o p u l a t i o n centers

of t h e U n i t e d States—e.g., N e w Y o r k , W a s h i n g t o n , D e t r o i t , C h i c a g o , S a n F r a n c i s c o , L o s A n g e l e s , St. L o u i s — h a v e excellent l a w schools.

M a n y of

t h e m h o l d e v e n i n g classes t h a t a c h e m i s t o r engineer c a n a t t e n d to r e c e i v e a f u l l y a c c r e d i t e d l a w degree. I n m y experience s o m e of t h e best l a w y e r s w i t h w h o m I h a v e associated, a t t a i n e d t h e i r l a w degrees t h r o u g h e v e n i n g courses.

W h e n a l a w s t u d e n t has to go to t h e e x t r a t r o u b l e of

h o l d i n g d o w n a job d u r i n g the d a y , p e r h a p s e v e n e a r n i n g his o w n t u i t i o n , a n d a t t e n d i n g l a w s c h o o l i n t h e evenings, h e is a l r e a d y d e m o n s t r a t i n g t h e t y p e of a m b i t i o n a n d d e t e r m i n a t i o n t h a t w i l l m a k e h i m a s t r o n g lawyer.

T h e challenges i m p o s e d b y a t t e n d i n g e v e n i n g l a w s c h o o l t e n d

to p u t a c o m p e t i t i v e e d g e o n a l a w y e r t h a t w i l l s t a n d h i m i n g o o d s t e a d i n f u t u r e c o u r t r o o m arenas. O n c e a c h e m i s t o r c h e m i c a l e n g i n e e r has o b t a i n e d his l a w degree, w h a t does h e d o w i t h i t ? A n u m b e r of different career paths are o p e n to him.

P e r h a p s t h e most t r a d i t i o n a l r o u t e w o u l d b e to b e c o m e a p a t e n t

l a w y e r . O f t e n , l a w y e r s t r a i n e d i n c h e m i s t r y first a c q u i r e d t h e i n c e n t i v e f o r a t t e n d i n g l a w s c h o o l f r o m exposure t o p a t e n t l a w y e r s , u s u a l l y i n a corporation environment. Frequently, such lawyers were actually i n v e n tors b e f o r e t h e y b e c a m e l a w y e r s . F o r someone t r a i n e d i n t h e d i s c i p l i n e s of c h e m i s t r y , p a t e n t l a w c a n b e a f a s c i n a t i n g career. I t is n o t necessary, of course, to b e s k i l l e d i n a l l phases of c h e m i s t r y to b e a successful c h e m i c a l p a t e n t l a w y e r . O n c e o n e has l e a r n e d the g e n e r a l theories of c h e m i s t r y a n d t h e v o c a b u l a r y , i t is n o t d i f f i c u l t f o r i n v e n t o r s , scientists, o r engineers to e x p l a i n to h i m t h e


4

LEGAL


d e t a i l e d t e c h n o l o g y of t h e i r p a r t i c u l a r fields. D u r i n g his career a c h e m i c a l p a t e n t l a w y e r w i l l p r o b a b l y b e e x p o s e d t o m a n y different phases a n d n u a n c e s of t h e g e n e r a l field of c h e m i s t r y .

This can be a thoroughly

e n j o y a b l e a n d r e w a r d i n g aspect of s u c h a career. T h e n e w a n d b u r g e o n i n g field of c o n s u m e r i s m has o p e n e d u p some n e w avenues f o r careers w h i c h i n t e r r e l a t e c h e m i s t r y a n d t h e l a w .

Today,

i f a c o m p a n y puts a d e f e c t i v e p r o d u c t o n the m a r k e t , p e o p l e are l i k e l y t o get i n j u r e d , a n d injuries a u t o m a t i c a l l y create l e g a l disputes. disputes are b e c o m i n g i n c r e a s i n g l y c o m p l e x t e c h n o l o g i c a l l y .

Those

Similarly,

w h e r e e n v i r o n m e n t a l a n d e c o l o g i c a l h a v o c is o r m i g h t b e w r e a k e d b y


t h e careless use of t e c h n o l o g y , or for o t h e r reasons, m a j o r l i t i g a t i o n is o f t e n t h e result. S u c h l i t i g a t i o n c a n either b e p r i v a t e or

government

induced. T h e g r o w t h of t e c h n o l o g y

has, therefore, l e d to b r a n c h e s

w h i c h are i n t h e i r e a r l y stages of d e v e l o p m e n t .

of

law

E n v i r o n m e n t a l protec-

t i o n l a w , f o o d a n d d r u g l a w , c o n s u m e r p r o t e c t i o n l a w , a n d others are o p p o r t u n i t i e s a v a i l a b l e to the l a w y e r t r a i n e d i n c h e m i s t r y or c h e m i c a l engineering. P a t e n t l a w , h o w e v e r , is p r o b a b l y s t i l l t h e m o s t u s u a l area of p r a c t i c e f o r a c h e m i c a l l y t r a i n e d l a w y e r . T h i s field i n itself has a b r o a d s p e c t r u m of endeavors.

B a s i c to t h e p r a c t i c e of p a t e n t l a w is t h e p r e p a r a t i o n a n d

p r o s e c u t i o n b e f o r e the U . S. P a t e n t a n d T r a d e m a r k Office of a p p l i c a t i o n s f o r c h e m i c a l patents, b u t the p a t e n t a t t o r n e y c o u l d also get i n v o l v e d i n t r a d e secrets, t r a d e secret l i t i g a t i o n , a n d p a t e n t i n f r i n g e m e n t l i t i g a t i o n . T h e p a t e n t l a w y e r also m a y d e a l w i t h the i m p o r t a n t p r o b l e m s of l i c e n s i n g o r transfer of t e c h n o l o g y , i n c l u d i n g the i n t e r n a t i o n a l transfer of n o l o g y to the d e v e l o p i n g o r t h i r d - w o r l d nations.

tech-

T h e chemical patent

l a w y e r c e r t a i n l y has a role to p l a y i n r e s o l v i n g t h e p r o b l e m s w h i c h arise i n the transfer of t e c h n o l o g y .

P r o b a b l y o v e r 5 0 % of t h e t e c h n o l o g y t h a t

is t r a n s f e r r e d t o d a y c o u l d b e b r o a d l y c a t e g o r i z e d as b e i n g i n the c h e m i c a l field. A

l a w degree, h o w e v e r ,

is n o guarantee t h a t t h e i n d i v i d u a l

p u r s u e these p o s s i b l e careers i n l a w successfully.

will

T h e q u e s t i o n arises:

w h a t are some of t h e p a r t i c u l a r attributes t h a t a p e r s o n s h o u l d possess to b e a successful l a w y e r ?

D i f f e r e n t attorneys m a y e m p h a s i z e

different

q u a l i t i e s a n d a b i l i t i e s . I n g e n e r a l , there are f a i r l y d e m a n d i n g

skills

r e q u i r e d i n t h e l e g a l profession. C o r r e c t use of the l a n g u a g e , e s p e c i a l l y the w r i t t e n l a n g u a g e , is a n i m p o r t a n t factor. L a w , l i k e c h e m i s t r y , d e m a n d s a s p e c i a l i z e d v o c a b u l a r y . C h e m i s t s , of course, are r e q u i r e d to use a system of c h e m i c a l n o m e n c l a t u r e w h i c h is c o m p l e x b u t logical. It f u r t h e r r e q u i r e s a p e r s o n to d e v e l o p precision i n using words.

I n c h e m i s t r y , f o r e x a m p l e , t h e r e is n o t m u c h

difference i n t h e s p e l l i n g or o f t e n i n the p r o n u n c i a t i o n of w o r d s s u c h as


1.

FiNNEGAN

Chemistry and the

5

Law

b u t a n e a n d b u t e n e , b u t there is a significant difference b e t w e e n a b u t a n e a n d a b u t e n e as a n y c h e m i s t k n o w s . A n attorney m u s t l i k e w i s e master the l e g a l l a n g u a g e , u s i n g its w o r d s and

phrases p r e c i s e l y as w e l l as c o m p r e h e n s i b l y .

T h e d e f i n i t i o n of

p r o b l e m , i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of a l t e r n a t i v e solutions, a n d e x p l a n a t i o n of recommended

course of a c t i o n are m a j o r aspects i n l e g a l

w h i c h demand language skill.

a

the

counseling

T h e q u a l i t y of a w r i t t e n b r i e f d e p e n d s

o n the w r i t e r s a b i l i t y to c o n v e y his arguments c o r r e c t l y a n d c o n v i n c i n g l y . I n these instances t h e i m p o r t a n c e of w r i t t e n c o m m u n i c a t i o n increases as the n a t u r e of the i n v o l v e d l e g a l issues a n d p r o b l e m s b e c o m e s m o r e c o m Downloaded by 128.122.230.132 on September 5, 2016 | http://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: June 1, 1977 | doi: 10.1021/ba-1977-0161.ch001

p l e x , s u c h as w h e r e l a w a n d t e c h n o l o g y i n t e r t w i n e . P e r h a p s to a greater extent t h a n w r i t i n g s k i l l , s p e a k i n g a b i l i t y is p o p u l a r l y associated w i t h the attorney, a n d i t does h e l p a great d e a l i f a l a w y e r is a n a c c o m p l i s h e d speaker.

I n the h i g h e r reaches of t h e l e g a l

profession, p a r t i c u l a r l y i n l i t i g a t i o n , i t is necessary to b e a b l e to get u p o n y o u r feet a n d l o g i c a l l y a n d c o g e n t l y to present y o u r client's p o s i t i o n . R e g a r d l e s s of w h e t h e r a l a w y e r is i n v o l v e d i n l i t i g a t i o n , situations c o n stantly arise i n w h i c h he m u s t t a l k to p e o p l e d i r e c t l y a n d p u t his message across.

C o m m u n i c a t i o n , therefore, is a n essential a n d c r i t i c a l p a r t of t h e

p r a c t i c e of l a w . T h e a b i l i t y to do i t w e l l is i m p o r t a n t . P e r s o n a l i t y factors also p l a y a r o l e b u t are sometimes

overlooked.

C l i e n t s t u r n to l a w y e r s to solve or avert p r o b l e m s t h e y face, a n d t h e y w a n t to h a v e confidence i n t h e i r attorneys. A n assertive, confident l a w y e r inspires that trust. M u c h of t h e i n c e n t i v e for chemists to go to the t r o u b l e and

expense of a c q u i r i n g a l a w degree arises f r o m the desire for

the

i n c r e a s e d p e r s o n a l contact that is offered b y a career i n l a w o v e r m a n y of the t r a d i t i o n a l careers i n c h e m i s t r y . T h u s , p e r s o n a l i t y is a n i m p o r t a n t a t t r i b u t e of a g o o d a n d successful l a w y e r . I n l a w , p a r t i c u l a r l y l i t i g a t i o n , m a n y occasions arise i n w h i c h t h e a b i l i t y to a n a l y z e a n d to u n d e r s t a n d p e o p l e b e c o m e s a n i m p o r t a n t asset. I n n u m e r o u s situations c r e a t i n g a r a p p o r t w i t h a f r i e n d l y or i n d i f f e r e n t p o t e n t i a l witness c a n l e a d to a f u l l e r r e v e l a t i o n of a l l t h e facts k n o w n to t h e witness.

I f the l a w y e r is u n a b l e to s h o w u n d e r s t a n d i n g o r to

relate to a n i n d i v i d u a l , s o m e facts m a y r e m a i n h i d d e n . T h e a b i l i t y to a n a l y z e p e o p l e c a n b e e s p e c i a l l y i m p o r t a n t i n d e a l i n g w i t h h o s t i l e parties, s u c h as k e y e m p l o y e e s of y o u r o p p o n e n t .

F o r ex-

a m p l e , i n t a k i n g a d e p o s i t i o n t h e g o o d l a w y e r w i l l be a b l e to observe t h e witness closely a n d observe his r e a c t i o n to the questions.

The skilled

l a w y e r c a n i n s t i n c t i v e l y detect excessive nervousness w h i c h w o u l d c h a r a c t e r i z e a n area of e x a m i n a t i o n d i s t u r b i n g to the witness.

T h i s signals

t h e l a w y e r to b e a r d o w n o n this p a r t i c u l a r l i n e of q u e s t i o n i n g a n d establ i s h w h y the witness is so nervous.

P u r s u i n g t h e l i n e of i n q u i r y m a y


6

LEGAL


e n a b l e the l a w y e r to get a n a d m i s s i o n o n the r e c o r d that w i l l u l t i m a t e l y h e l p h i m w i n his case. C l o s e l y r e l a t e d to a n a b i l i t y to a n a l y z e a n d to u n d e r s t a n d p e o p l e is an instinctively curious m i n d .

B o t h facilitate investigation a n d revela-

t i o n of f a c t s — a n i m p o r t a n t f u n c t i o n of a n y l a w y e r , w h i c h l i k e aspects increases i n i m p o r t a n c e w i t h i n c r e a s i n g c o m p l e x i t y of

other subject

m a t t e r . C h e m i s t s i n h e r e n t l y t e n d to b e i n q u i s i t i v e . T h i s trait w i l l h e l p t h e c h e m i s t - t u r n e d - l a w y e r d u r i n g i n t e r v i e w i n g of witnesses, e x a m i n i n g of witnesses b y o r a l depositions, or i n o p e n court. W h e n c r o s s - e x a m i n i n g witnesses, h e w i l l f o l l o w the witness's m e n t a l processes, l e a r n w h a t h e


m a y b e h o l d i n g b a c k , a n d p e r h a p s extract t e s t i m o n y t h a t w i l l b e h e l p f u l t o t h e l a w y e r ' s case. A n o t h e r asset t h a t chemists h a v e w h e n t h e y m o v e i n t o t h e l e g a l p r o f e s s i o n is t h e a b i l i t y to a p p l y themselves to a specific t a s k — i . e . , to persist u n t i l the task is p r o p e r l y c o m p l e t e d , e v e n t h o u g h i t m a y r e q u i r e t e d i o u s , d e t a i l e d effort. A t r a i n e d c h e m i s t w i l l k n o w , f o r e x a m p l e , w h e n h e is a l a w y e r r e p r e s e n t i n g a c l i e n t i n a n i m p o r t a n t l a w s u i t , t h a t one of t h e first t h i n g s to d o is to c o l l e c t a l l of t h e p o s s i b l y r e l e v a n t d o c u m e n t s . H e w i l l o r g a n i z e t h e m i n t o c h r o n o l o g i c a l order, s t u d y t h e m i n s e q u e n c e , and

p a i n s t a k i n g l y t r y to d e d u c e the facts f r o m the d o c u m e n t s .

correspondence,

The

reports, m e m o r a n d a , a n d v a r i o u s c o m m u n i c a t i o n s t r a n s -

m i t t e d b e t w e e n p e o p l e b e f o r e a n y o n e t h o u g h t a b o u t t h e p o s s i b i l i t y of a l a w s u i t , t e l l a story i n themselves. O n c e the i n d u s t r i o u s a n d i n t e l l i g e n t l a w y e r learns t h e facts of that story, he c a n effectively take t e s t i m o n y and

cross-examine

witnesses.

Through a detailed and

comprehensive

k n o w l e d g e of t h e d o c u m e n t s , the l a w y e r w i l l almost a l w a y s b e a b l e to t e l l w h e n a witness is s t r a y i n g f r o m the t r u t h b e c a u s e his t e s t i m o n y w i l l n o t agree w i t h the story t o l d b y the d o c u m e n t s . experienced

M o s t chemists w i l l h a v e

s i m i l a r d e t a i l e d a n d i n t r i c a t e m e n t a l tasks i n c h e m i s t r y ,

i n v o l v i n g the a s s e m b l y a n d c o m p a r i s o n of m a n y facts i n a l o g i c a l sequence.

A l m o s t instinctively they w i l l

become good examining and

cross-examining lawyers. A n o t h e r asset a c h e m i s t possesses w h e n he enters l a w is a n a t u r a l a b i l i t y to w o r k w i t h a n d to u t i l i z e expert witnesses.

I n lawsuits w h i c h

i n v o l v e c h e m i s t r y , s u c h as patent, e n v i r o n m e n t a l , e c o l o g i c a l ,

product

l i a b i l i t y , t r a d e secrets, a n d s i m i l a r l i t i g a t i o n , expert witnesses are a l m o s t a l w a y s n e e d e d . V e r y f e w judges h a v e a n y extensive t r a i n i n g i n c h e m i s t r y , a n d i t is necessary to p r o v i d e a n expert w i t n e s s to e d u c a t e the j u d g e i n h i g h l y t e c h n i c a l subject m a t t e r . T h e t y p i c a l c h e m i c a l expert has s t r o n g c r e d e n t i a l s , q u a l i f i c a t i o n s , experience, a n d c r e d i b i l i t y . I f y o u r expert is c o n v i n c i n g i n his t e s t i m o n y , the c o u r t w i l l t e n d t o a c c e p t w h a t h e says. T h e l a w y e r m u s t p r e p a r e his expert w i t n e s s f o r t e s t i m o n y , a n d i t is e x t r e m e l y h e l p f u l i f the l a w y e r h i m s e l f is t r a i n e d i n c h e m i s t r y .


1.

FiNNEGAN

Chemistry and the

7

Law

A c h e m i c a l b a c k g r o u n d is v a l u a b l e to the p a t e n t l a w y e r w h o w i t h chemical technology.

It gives

deals

h i m a f o u n d a t i o n for t a l k i n g

to

i n v e n t o r s , u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e i r i n v e n t i o n s as t h e y are e x p l a i n e d to h i m , a n d for a s k i n g the right questions.

I n m a n y situations i t m a y b e b e t t e r

f o r the c h e m i c a l patent l a w y e r w h o k n o w s a b o u t a p a r t i c u l a r subject to act as t h o u g h h e k n o w s v e r y l i t t l e i n o r d e r to get t h e inventors o r expert witness to e x p l a i n the t e c h n o l o g y i n his o w n terms. U l t i m a t e l y , t h o u g h , the a b i l i t y to converse fluently a b o u t t h e t e c h n o l o g y s i g n i f i c a n t l y h e l p s the s c i e n t i f i c a l l y t r a i n e d attorney to p r o v i d e the best l e g a l a d v i c e a n d service. Downloaded by 128.122.230.132 on September 5, 2016 | http://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: June 1, 1977 | doi: 10.1021/ba-1977-0161.ch001

W h a t c a n the c h e m i s t w h o elects to p u r s u e a career i n l a w expect? H e has m a n y o p p o r t u n i t i e s to exercise a n d to e x p l o i t his skills i n d i v e r s e d i r e c t i o n s . H e c a n stay e n m e s h e d i n c h e m i s t r y almost to w h a t e v e r extent h e w i s h e s . I f h e goes i n t o c h e m i c a l patent l a w , he c a n assume a p o s i t i o n w i t h a l a r g e c o r p o r a t i o n that has a c h e m i c a l patent d e p a r t m e n t . H e c o u l d t h e n b e c o m e i n v o l v e d i n a p a r t i c u l a r area of c h e m i s t r y , w o r k i n g o n a d a i l y basis w i t h chemists w h o are c o n d u c t i n g r e s e a r c h a n d d e v e l o p m e n t i n t h a t area. I n the l a r g e r c o m p a n i e s this c o u l d b e a h i g h l y s p e c i a l i z e d area. A c h e m i c a l p a t e n t attorney c o u l d take a p o s i t i o n w i t h a m e d i u m - o r l a r g e - s i z e d firm a n d b e c o m e i n v o l v e d i n p a t e n t l i t i g a t i o n . I n this phase of t h e profession, t h e l a w y e r is r e q u i r e d to m a t c h w i t s w i t h a n o p p o n e n t i n w h a t is r e a l l y a n a d v e r s a r y contest.

F o r those w h o find satisfaction i n

i n t e l l e c t u a l c o m p e t i t i o n , this c a n b e a n e x c i t i n g career avenue. I n l a w one gets r e l a t i v e l y q u i c k results as c o m p a r e d w i t h c h e m i s t r y . I n c h e m i s t r y one c a n w o r k for m a n y years o n a p r o b l e m b e f o r e i m p o r t a n t results are r e a l i z e d . I n l a w , h o w e v e r , most cases are r e s o l v e d

within

t w o to f o u r years after t h e y h a v e started. I t has b e e n s a i d t h a t t h e s a v i n g grace of l a w as o p p o s e d t o p h i l o s o p h y is t h a t i n l a w one is

forced

e v e n t u a l l y to c o m e to a d e c i s i o n . P h i l o s o p h e r s c a n f r e e l y speculate f o r ever.

I n l a w one gets the o p p o r t u n i t y to exercise p h i l o s o p h i c a l skills,

b u t t h e l a w y e r is f a c e d w i t h the r e a l i t y that t h e c o u r t w i l l e v e n t u a l l y d e c i d e t h e contest.

T h e l a w y e r m a y agree o r disagree w i t h t h e c o u r t ,

b u t , right o r w r o n g , a d e c i s i o n is m a d e .

E v e n b e f o r e the final j u d g m e n t

is r e a c h e d , there are a n u m b e r of i n t e r i m o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r v i c t o r y a n d defeat w i t h r u l i n g s o n s o - c a l l e d " i n t e r l o c u t o r y " matters, s u c h as s u m m a r y j u d g m e n t m o t i o n s a n d hearings o n disputes t h a t c o m e u p i n the d i s c o v e r y o r p r e - t r i a l p h a s e of a case. A l a w y e r m a y thus h a v e a n u m b e r of m i n o r v i c t o r i e s a n d defeats as a case progresses, b u t w h e n h e w o r k s o n s o m e t h i n g , h e c a n u s u a l l y e x p e c t a q u i c k d e c i s i o n a n d c a n see the t a n g i b l e results of his efforts. M o s t chemists-turned-lawyers can expect to travel d u r i n g their l a w practice.

T h e areas of the l e g a l p r o f e s s i o n t h a t m i x t h e d i s c i p l i n e s of

c h e m i s t r y a n d the l a w t e n d to f a l l i n t o the k i n d of p r a c t i c e t h a t leads to


8

L E G A L RIGHTS O F CHEMISTS A N D ENGINEERS

t r a v e l , at least w i t h i n t h e U n i t e d States a n d o f t e n i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y . I n a d d i t i o n this career c o m b i n a t i o n w i l l p r o b a b l y b e

financially

rewarding,

a n d m o r e t h a n c h e m i s t r y , a l e g a l career gives a p e r s o n a c h a n c e t o b e his o w n boss. L a w y e r s , e v e n i n firm p r a c t i c e , t e n d to w o r k l a r g e l y o n a n i n d i v i d u a l basis or i n s m a l l teams as c o o p e r a t i v e

units or

groups.

T h e l a w y e r is u l t i m a t e l y a c c o u n t a b l e to his clients, w h o m h e m u s t satisfy. M o s t l a w y e r s h a n d l e t h e i r o w n clients, h o w e v e r , a n d i n this e n v i r o n m e n t t h e l a w y e r has a f a i r a m o u n t of f r e e d o m . For

t h e c h e m i c a l l y t r a i n e d l a w y e r , t h e p r a c t i c e of l a w i n v o l v i n g

technology

can be

intensely challenging, interesting, a n d

absorbing.


H o w e v e r , i t is m u c h easier to solve t h e p r o b l e m of t o t a l i m m e r s i o n i n l e g a l p r a c t i c e t h a n the p r o b l e m of b o r e d o m sometimes r e s u l t i n g i n o t h e r professions o r d i s c i p l i n e s . A s m a n y l a w y e r s o r i g i n a l l y t r a i n e d as chemists o r c h e m i c a l engineers h a v e d i s c o v e r e d , m i x i n g t h e d i s c i p l i n e s of c h e m i s t r y a n d t h e l a w p r o v i d e s a n e x c i t i n g a r r a y of o p p o r t u n i t i e s to satisfaction i n a s t i m u l a t i n g a n d r e w a r d i n g career. RECEIVED

September 9,

1976.


achieve

Careers Combining Chemistry and the Law

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