2025 PTAB Bar Association Annual Conference

Highlights from the 2024 PTAB Bar Association Annual Conference

2025 PTAB Bar Association Annual Conference
March 19 -21, 2025 | Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C.

Registration Is Closed

The 2025 PTAB Bar Association Annual Conference was offered in person from March 19 - March 21, 2025, at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, DC. This year, we were excited to host an entirely in-person event, with no virtual component. We encouraged everyone to join us to fully engage with the programming and take advantage of the continuous networking opportunities available throughout the conference. Programming began at 1:00pmET on the 19th and concluded by 1:00pmET on the 21st.

PTAB Bar Association Registration Fees
Member: $890 Non-Member $1,075
Special rates available for government lawyers and students

NOW IS THE TIME TO Renew Your Membership with the PTAB Bar Association—
As you register for the Annual Conference, please be aware that membership with the PTAB Bar Association will expire in March 2025. You can renew your membership NOW at 2025 Membership Renewal. Membership payment today will automatically be applied to your 2025-26 membership. Please note, if you are a member of a firm that participates with firm bulk renewal, please reach out to your firm administrator prior to renewing your PTAB Bar Association Membership.

Conference Agenda Here

We were fortunate to have esteemed speakers again at this year’s Annual Conference! Conference attendees had the opportunity to hear from USPTO judges and industry leaders including:

Acting Director Coke Morgan Stewart, USPTO
Former Director Kathi Vidal, Winston & Strawn
Chief Judge Scott Boalick, USPTO
Deputy Chief Judge Jacqueline Bonilla, USPTO
Vice Chief Judge Michael Kim
Vice Chief Judge Michael Tierney
Administrative Patent Judge Grace Obermann
Farheena Rasheed, Deputy General Counsel, Solicitor’s Office
Judge Christopher Burke, U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware
Judge John Murphy, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Judge Bryan Moore, U.S. International Trade Commission
Judge Ryan Holte, Court of Federal Claims
NIHF Hall of Famer, Rory Cooper, Ph.D.
Braxton Davis, National Council on Patent Practicum

Updated Session Details

The Conference agenda featured sessions with experts, government officials, industry voices, and other thought pioneers that provided participants with thought provoking insights into the current issues facing those practicing before the PTAB including:

Current Issues Before the PTAB: This program will feature current issues in PTAB practice today.
Judges Panel: Judges from the U.S. District Court and USITC will share their views and practice tips on the impact of PTAB proceedings on parallel litigation, including stays, estoppel, use of PTAB decisions and party arguments, different burdens of proof, and claim construction differences.
Former APJs Panel: This program will provide the opportunity to learn from a panel of former APJs who will discuss the latest in PTAB practice, including their views on internal review of PTAB decisions, discretionary denial, the newest trends in Director Review decisions, and more.
Lost A Decision, Now What?: This panel will discuss the benefits and drawbacks associated with the various options for challenging adverse decisions in AIA trial proceedings, including rehearing, Director Review, and appeal.
Prior Art & AI: This panel will discuss AI-generated content and its novel legal issues, including its role as prior art, enablement, and estoppel.
Debate: This session will offer a lively debate addressing the nuances of, and salient developments in, patent eligibility law and thoughts as to where it is headed.
In-House Counsel Panel: This panel will feature in-house PTAB practitioners to share their views on PTAB policies and practices, litigation strategy, and the evolution of the business and legal landscapes in which they practice.
Trending Ethical Issues Before the PTAB: This panel discussion will focus on recent rules changes, sanctions decisions, and the ethical implications relating to real parties in interest.

Attendees earned CLE credit while learning and connecting with leading experts in the industry!

Networking Opportunities

We offered networking opportunities at the Annual Conference featuring the following:

The Headshot Lounge, sponsored by Dechert LLP, was open from 1:00pm-6:00pm on Wednesday and from 7:30am-7:00pm on Thursday. No sign-up was required. For your convenience, we had a beauty bar on-site. Digital copies of your headshot were immediately available.
PTAB Bar Association committees held in-person committee meetings on Wednesday, March 19^th from 11:30am-12:30pm at the Ritz-Carlton just prior to the start of the Annual Conference programming. Those who were interested in attending the meeting, contacted committee leadership. Committee contact information can be found at PTAB Committees - PTAB Bar Association
The NIFH, Camp Invention - Walk for STEM, a one-mile walk through Washington, DC, to support STEM education at 7:00am Thursday morning in front of the Ritz-Carlton. Click HERE for more information, the walk route, and to register for this free event.
The Walk for STEM was followed by the Breakfast with a Hall of Famer, Rory Cooper, Ph.D. The Breakfast included an art auction of an original portrait of Rosalind Franklin to raise funds for Camp Invention.
Networking events Wednesday and Thursday immediately followed the day’s programming. Don’t miss the special offerings prepared by the Ritz Carlton chef!
The PTAB Bar Association Young Lawyers and Agents Committee was excited to announce the Inaugural PTAB Clerk Reception, which was held on Thursday, March 20th, from 7-9pm (following the conclusion of Thursday’s Annual Conference programming) at the Tishman Penthouse, 2050 M Street, NW. This event was organized by the Former PTAB Clerks of the PTAB Bar Association Young Lawyers and Agents Committee.