When Laura Coruzzi finished her postdoc at New York's Mount Sinai School of Medicine in 1981, her scientific future looked uncertain. Grant money had dried up, owing to federal cutbacks. Even established faculty had problems finding funding. Such a grim outlook often leads people to look for alternatives, and Coruzzi was no exception.

Through a combination of personal contacts and serendipity, she met Leslie Misrock, a partner at Pennie and Edmonds, a New York law firm that was looking to capitalize on the anticipated boom in biotech patents. She joined the firm, along with Jennifer Gordon, a biochemist from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who didn't fancy a future standing next to a fermenter. The 'patent twins' clerked for the firm (which covered the cost of law school) by day, attended Fordham University School of Law by night, and studied whenever they could.

They are now both partners in the firm, and their experience is instructive for any scientist considering a career beyond the bench. First, there's location. Being in a city like New York, with a concentration of academic institutions (see Regions, page 4) and science-related business opportunities outside the ivory tower, increases the chance of a successful move.

Then there's hard work. Few people who have slogged through a PhD welcome the thought of more formal education. But to cross over successfully, a law degree, MBA or other professional qualification is often helpful. Finally, there's expectation. Misrock convinced Coruzzi and Gordon that there'd be a need for their services, so they took the plunge. And their hard work paid off. Scientists who follow a similar plan can be equally successful, even if they choose a career other than law and a city other than New York.