Former USPTO counsel joins Perkins Coie
Nathan Kelley, former solicitor and deputy general counsel for IP law at the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), has joined Perkins Coie as a partner in Washington, DC.
At the USPTO, Kelley defended hundreds of decisions by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board at the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
He advocated for the USPTO during inter-agency deliberations on IP matters at the US Supreme Court, including in the case of WesternGeco v ION Geophysical (in June), and he oversaw the USPTO’s defence in many district court cases against the agency.
Kelley was also involved in counselling the USPTO on the implementation of the America Invents Act, and other rules, regulations, and policies.
He previously served as chief administrative patent judge in charge of the PTAB, a state attorney at the Federal Circuit, and a patent examiner of the USPTO.
At Perkins Coie, Kelley’s practice will focus on Federal Circuit appeals, inter partes reviews, and other USPTO-related work. He will also advise clients on IP strategy and policy more generally.
Shannon Bloodworth, co-chair of Perkins Coie’s IP practice, said: “Nate is one of the foremost IP lawyers in the country, and he is widely respected for his litigation experience and ability.”
She added: “His deep knowledge of the USPTO and Federal Circuit will broaden and strengthen our nationally-ranked team of IP litigators. He is a significant addition to our team, and we’re thrilled that he has chosen to join us.”
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