Thus every patent attorney is also a patent lawyer, but not vice versa. Title 37 of the Code of Federal Regulations defines what constitutes practice. Yes, but they are legally practicing law unlicensed by any state bar. The relevant test case of federal supremacy jurisdiction overruling specific state regulations was Sperry vs. The State of Florida. Note, however, that patent agents can counsel and represent clients only in connection with civil service administrative hearings, not before judges.
Opinions vary widely.
There is less age discrimination among patent agents than is found in engineering. There are roughly 2,000 patent agents in the U.S. and roughly 20,000 patent attorneys. Being a patent agent requires scrupulous attention to detail and excellent communication skills. Don't even think of a career as a patent agent if dealing with civil servants leaves you feeling frustrated and angry. Very few patent attorneys are PEs.