Scott Bain Judge and Attorney has served as an attorney, adjunct professor, and patent judge specializing in the fields of intellectual property and corporate law. He is co-author of the 2005 book “Copyright Law in the Digital World: Basics, Law and Policy” and other IP publications and was Chair of the Literary Publishing Division of the ABA.
His positions have included Administrative Patent Judge (APJ) at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); Principal, Bain Law Offices (Washington, DC); Partner, Wiley Rein (Washington, DC); and Lecturer at Catholic University, among others. As a result of his vast experience in the field, Judge Bain is a sought-after speaker on intellectual property, litigation, and entertainment law topics.
How did you get started as an attorney?
I have spent the past 25 years striving to become a renowned figure in the field of intellectual property law. Today I am being counted among the leading intellectual property attorneys and it all started when I saw my grandfather despairing to claim his intellectual property rights for a book he wrote. That day I decided to specialize in this field of law and will make sure no one else ever suffers from the pain that my grandfather did. I have litigated many complex cases involving copyrights, patents, and trademarks to date. I have represented clients in a wide range of industries, including the music, software, and telecommunications sectors. In each case, I apply my vast knowledge of IP law to achieve positive results for my clients.
How do you make money?
I typically make money by solving legal matters for my clients related to intellectual property and corporate law.
How long did it take for you to become profitable?
After completing my education, I started my career in copyrights, intellectual property, and patents. I have worked in several positions during these superb two and a half decades of service. I served as Principal at the Bain Law Offices (Washington, DC); Administrative Patent Judge (APJ) at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); and Partner, Wiley Rein (Washington, DC). I had great love for education which made me work as a Lecturer at Catholic University for a couple of years. And all of them were really good paying roles.
When you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted it would work? If so, how did you handle that?
25% yes! I was indeed quite confident while choosing this career for myself because I knew this is what I wanted to do. I had a serious gut feeling that I will definitely succeed as an attorney and later as judge. I acquired a suitable education and got guidance from some of the amazing mentors to lead me to success. I didn’t even for once think it wouldn’t work.
How did you get your first customer?
A friend of mine was facing a challenging situation dealing with her business partner over some intellectual property and she asked me for help to file a case in court of law. She was my first client 25 years back and later through word of mouth I kept on having new clients.
What is one marketing strategy (other than referrals) that you’re using that works really well to generate new business?
I believe good work speaks for itself. It just spreads like wildfire that knows no bounds and doesn’t need any effort to reach people. I am a firm believer and beneficiary of word of mouth marketing. There has never been a client that doesn’t refer a couple of other people to me for their legal matters. I haven’t ever paid much attention to marketing and all my growth has been purely organic.
What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make in the last few months?
Frankly, there is not a single day that goes by in which I am not forced to make a few tough decisions. The only option I have is to keep myself as prepared and knowledgeable as possible and to carefully weigh all of the practical options so that I arrive at the most promising argument possible to win the case for my client.
What do you think it is that makes you successful?
My success owes a lot to my very strong work ethic. I also have an exceptionally calculative mind. My ability to identify a clue in everything to benefit my clients makes my career as an attorney a great one.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Emotional rewards have always been more satisfying for me than the financial ones. If you are passionate about the field of law and you acknowledge your top priority is your client, helping people to achieve a positive outcome for their difficulties is extremely satisfying. As an attorney, I usually see a person during one of the worst moments of their life; therefore, it can be extremely rewarding for me to help the person find a successful resolution to their problem.
What does the future hold for you? What are you most excited about?
I plan to develop a system that will solve clients’ problems. I plan to build a team of legal professionals who will be legal knowledge engineers, legal risk managers, system development, experts in design thinking, and more. This team will strive to develop new ways of solving legal problems with the support of technology. I am very excited about the legal sector undergoing the digitization that other industries have gone through, and because it’s very document-intensive, it’s actually an industry poised to benefit greatly from what technology can offer.
What business books have inspired you?
“The Intelligent Investor” by Benjamin Graham. This book is one of my personal favorites. It has played a huge role in shaping my investment mindset and has helped me in a number of ways. The book delivers practical financial advice for layman individuals looking to grow their fortune. The most interesting thing about this book is that it is far from the principles that guarantee you will become a millionaire overnight. Rather this book motivates readers to create practical goals for their future. It has personally inspired me to find success in any size.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Be patient and calculate well before making a decision. It’s never a good idea to haste in making decisions. Take ample time to gauge all the pros and cons before jumping on to the conclusion. Generally, attorneys and lawyers never act without deep thought. They must not get intimidated because of the mental pressure. It is also said that over-analyzing is not a good idea in terms of time management. But as an attorney and law maker, it is significant to take a step back and think about numerous situations. Always allow your mind to take adequate time to connect the dots and think through different possible situations.
Are you willing to be a mentor? If so, how should someone contact you?
Of course! I love being a help for people and it’s my mission to enable people to grow.