2025 Thought Leader Summit Agenda

The Thought Leader Summit is ON as planned!

We are delighted to announce that Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) will offer remarks at the 2025 Thought Leader Summit. He will be joined by newly appointed Acting Chief Judge Kalyan Deshpande, Acting Vice Chief Judge Michelle Ankenbrand, and other APJs involved in discretionary denial proceedings.This is a unique opportunity to gain valuable insight into the latest Discretionary Denial trends and strategies and to engage with PTAB judges and leading counsel representing both Patent Owners and Petitioners—those shaping the decisions and trends that define this dynamic area. 
 

The PTAB Bar Association Thought Leader Summit will be held on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, and will be offered as a bi-coastal experience, held at the Westin Old Town Alexandria in Alexandria, Virginia from 2:00pm-5:00pmET, and at the USPTO in San Jose, California from 2:00pm-5:00pmPT. After the sessions, attendees will have the chance to network with peers and colleagues during networking receptions held at each venue from 5:00pm-6:30pm. 

The 2025 Thought Leader Summit will focus on the evolving Discretionary Denial landscape. This year’s program will feature influential voices from both the PTAB and the broader industry, offering critical insights in the following sessions:

Remarks from Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC)

Keynote Remarks - The PTAB View on Discretionary Denials  

• Acting Chief Judge Kalyan Deshpande in Virginia 
• Acting Vice Chief Judge Michelle Ankenbrand in California (virtual) 

Session One -Panel Discussion (CLE Session)
This session will explore: 

• The Latest Discretionary Denial Trends and Developments 

Session Two - Round Table Discussions with PTAB Judges (CLE Session)
Table Moderators will facilitate discussions on the following topics: 

• Latest Director Review Decisions 
• Alternatives to IPRs/PGRs (e.g., EPRs) 
• Winning Arguments Under the New Bifurcated Process 
• Other Discretionary Denial Strategies

Attendees at both venues will enjoy a networking reception immediately following the programming.

Agenda for the California Venue is available HERE.
Agenda for the Virginia Venue is available HERE.