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From Solitude of Labs to Clamor of Courts
By Roshan Tolani

Recent times have witnessed an amalgamation of science and law. Quite a number of scientists are leaving laboratories to take part in law courts and legal process. Lawyer-scientist has become a reality.

The new development is a resultant of two needs. First, in legal field there has been a long-felt demand for experts who can make sense out of scientific and technical jargon to facilitate the legal process. On the other hand, scientists have also been looking for more satisfying avenues.

The trend augurs well for legal field, as it would supplement our skills to bring justice to the society. Lawyer-scientists not only understand complex technical jargon, they will also be able to make it more lucid to juries.

It is interesting to note that initially it is patent litigation, which is grabbing most of the willing scientists. However, those days cannot be far when scientists and other technical skilled specialists would be playing a significant role in many other practice areas, too.

In recent years, there is a remarkable rise in the number of patent applications. It means the segment needs a vast number of lawyers to defend old patents and challenge new applications. According to the estimate of the U.S. Patent Office, about 450,000 new patent applications will be filed this year. As the practice area encompasses a wide spectrum of industry and business, the niche area badly requires services of lawyer-scientists to throw light on technical terms, foresee repercussions, and analyze concerns.

Horizontal growth in academic research and lure of money in legal field are two most significant reasons to make scientists incline toward law career. However, to some, it is courtroom excitement and an interface with the society that legal field offers make them abandon labs for courts.

Every field has its own highs and lows. Probably, pure science offers more intellectually challenging environment, but it does not match the thrill and monetary advantage of the legal field. Newly recruited lawyers at top law firms make around $160,000 a year and can even get more with a postgraduate science degree.

Anything that enriches the field is welcome. The trend is just a beginning. It is in our interest to proliferate it.

Posted on: 05/31/2007 04:32 AM | Number of feedback 0

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