2026 PTAB Bar Association Thought Leader Summit

 PTAB Bar Association 
2026 Thought Leader Summit 


Wednesday, October 7, 2026
 Alexandria, VA 



                   2025 PTAB Bar Association Thought Leader Summit, Alexandria, Virginia










Join us for the PTAB Bar Association Thought Leader Summit, Wednesday, October 7, 2026! The Thought Leader Summit  will be held at the Westin Alexandria Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia. The event will be held from 2:00pm-5:00pmET.


In a time of unprecedented change across the patent landscape, staying informed and connected has never been more important. The PTAB Bar Association's Thought Leader Summit brings together fellow practitioners, in-house counsel, industry experts, and judges from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) to discuss the developments, challenges, and opportunities shaping patent practice today. 

This year's program includes:

  • Keynote Remarks from Chief Judge Kalyan Deshpande, PTAB, USPTO 

  • Perspectives on PTAB Policy Initiatives with John Lee, Computer & Communications Industry Association, and Jamie Simpson, Council for Innovation Promotion 

  • Two CLE sessions examining the issues and latest developments influencing today's PTAB and patent landscape:

    • Session One, a Panel Discussion exploring the latest PTAB policy developments, featuring:
      • Chief Judge Kalyan Deshpande, PTAB, USPTO
      • Acting Deputy Chief Judge Michelle Ankenbrand, PTAB, USPTO
      • Molly Kocialski, Holland & Hart, LLP
      • Jeremy Monaldo, Fish & Richardson, PC
      • Laura Sheridan, Google, Inc.
      • Mark Stewart, Merck Sharp & Dohme, LLC

    • Session Two, Round Table Discussions with PTAB Judges, facilitated by moderators on the following topics:
      • Discretionary Denial Factors 
      • Pre-Order Patent Owner Submission and Section 325(d) Discretion in Ex Parte Reexamination Proceedings 
      • Real Party in Interest Updates
      • Voluntary Search Disclosure Declarations  
      • Recent Developments in Means-Plus-Function Law

Following the sessions, attendees will continue conversations at a networking reception—offering valuable opportunities to build connections, strengthen relationships, and engage directly with peers and decision-makers.   

Additional program information will be forthcoming.



If you need assistance with Registration, please contact support@ptabbar.org.