Where I currently stand: I’m working as an engineer, but I’d like to become a lawyer. I have a BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering and 3 years experience as a “Systems Engineer”. I have no savings and no debts. I’m trying to come up with a plan that allows me to get a law degree without going into debt.

I hope to do something like the following:

1. Get a job with USPTO as a patent examiner and work for 2 years.
2. Use the experience gained there to get a part time job as a patent agent, while attending law school part time.
3. After finishing law school, get a job as a patent lawyer. Work in this job until I gain enough experience to move into other areas.

I am not particularly interested in patent law per se, but I hope to use my engineering knowledge to make me a more valuable employee until I gain enough legal experience to be productive in other areas. I would like to work in federal civil litigation.

Step (2) seems like the most financially challenging.

Any thoughts?