On April 5, 2022, after more than one year of vacancy, the Senate confirmed attorney Kathi Vidal as the next director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Ms. Vidal is an experienced litigator and managing partner at Wintson & Strawn LLP’s Silicon Valley office, and is one of the leading IP litigators and Federal Circuit strategists in the country. She will lead more than 13,000 employees at the USPTO and oversee its nearly $4 billion budget. According to office sources, Vidal is expected to focus on broadening pro-bono programs at the USPTO, amongst other areas.

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