Rea returns to Crowell & Moring

Former acting director of the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Teresa Stanek Rea has returned to Crowell & Moring LLP, the firm she left for the agency in 2011.

Rea, who joined the USPTO as deputy director, left in September this year. She had been leading the agency since January, when director David Kappos departed.

Based in Washington, DC, she re-joins Crowell & Moring as a partner in the firm’s IP group and will continue to work with clients in industries including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and medical devices. Rea will also advise on piracy, trademarks and the generic top-level domains.

As part of her move, Rea assumes a director role with C&M International (CMI), an international trade and investment consulting firm affiliated with Crowell & Moring.

"Crowell & Moring and CMI are highly respected nationally and internationally for an impressive and consistent track record of successfully guiding clients through complex litigation and public policy issues,” Rea said.

“I am thrilled to return to the Crowell & Moring family because I value the unique mix of substantive expertise, litigation prowess and regulatory experience," she added. "I am excited about reconnecting with my clients and my colleagues."

Mark Supko, chair of Crowell & Moring's IP group, said Rea’s experience will be “enormously” beneficial to the firm’s clients.

“With her knowledge of international markets, especially in the Asia Pacific region, and her hands-on industry and government experience, Terry is in a unique position to advise clients on complex intellectual property issues.”

In her role with CMI, Rea is expected to advise clients on domestic copyright reform, trade secrets and on the IP and dispute resolution chapters of trade agreements.

"During her recent tenure as the US government's chief intellectual property official, Terry was instrumental in formulating policy on key IP issues domestically and abroad. Our clients will benefit greatly from her comprehensive knowledge and counsel on their trade and IP-related concerns," said Doral Cooper, chairman of CMI.

Rea helped to implement the America Invents Act (AIA), while she was involved in writing the regulations implementing the inter partes review, covered business method review, and post-grant review proceedings, which were created by the AIA.

David Kappos, who joined Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP this year, has still not been replaced as USPTO director.