Scott Boalick selected as PTAB chief judge
Scott Boalick has been named the new chief judge of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).
Boalick, the board’s acting chief judge since September 2018, took over the role in a permanent capacity yesterday, March 13, according to an announcement from the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
USPTO director Andrei Iancu said that Boalick has been essential in helping develop and carry out key PTAB reforms over the past year.
“Chief judge Boalick will continue leading PTAB’s efforts to ensure that its proceedings are balanced and transparent, while also working toward a one-year pendency for completion of ex parte appeals, and implementing the office’s new section 101 guidance,” said Iancu.
Boalick was appointed to the PTAB in 2007 and prior to becoming to the chief judge, he served as an administrative patent judge, lead judge, vice chief judge, and deputy chief judge.
Prior to his appointment at the PTAB, Boalick was a patent attorney with the Department of the Navy at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Laboratory.
He said: “We have a hard-working and highly capable PTAB team. It has been my honour and privilege to work with the talented judges and staff at the board for nearly 12 years and I am excited to have the opportunity to serve as its chief judge.”
Jacqueline Bonilla, who has served as acting deputy chief judge of the PTAB, has also taken up her role in a permanent capacity.
Bonilla, who was appointed as an administrative patent judge in January 2012, has conducted post-grant patent trials under the America Invents Act, heard appeals from adverse examiner decisions in patent applications and reexamination proceedings, and rendered decisions in interferences.
She previously worked for 12 years in private practice, including as a partner at Foley & Lardner.
“I look forward to working with chief judge Boalick, deputy chief judge Bonilla, as well as the rest of the PTAB as we continue to strive for excellence and a well-balanced patent system,” said Iancu.
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