Arent Fox Partner Marylee Jenkins Appointed Chairperson of USPTO’s Patent Public Advisory Committee

Ms. Jenkins was appointed Chairperson effective December 1, 2016 by former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker.

“For more than three years, I have been a member of PPAC and I am honored to assume the role of Chairperson of the Committee,” said Ms. Jenkins. “Throughout my career, I have worked to develop and advance our intellectual property laws as our technology advances and expands. Based on the rapid speed of innovation and technology, it is vital to have an efficient and effective Patent Office. As Chairperson of PPAC, I will continue my role in ensuring that the Committee remains dedicated and committed to keeping the USPTO on track and high-performing for our diverse stakeholder and user community.”

Ms. Jenkins has experience in and mastery of the full spectrum of intellectual property law which enables her to counsel clients from a wide range of industries on patent, trademark and copyright matters. She began her career at the beginning of the Internet age, and quickly established herself as a thought leader on the intellectual property challenges posed by the coming digital revolution. As the technology boom unfolded, Marylee emerged as a leading voice on the rapid evolution of intellectual property law.

Ms. Jenkins earned her law degree from New York Law School, a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science, and a B.S. in physics from Centre College of Kentucky. A past Chairperson of the ABA Section of Intellectual Property Law and past President of the New York Intellectual Property Law Association, she has lectured widely on a variety of intellectual property topics as well as written for and been quoted in numerous media.

Chambers USA, The Legal 500 and Superlawyers have recognized Ms. Jenkins and Arent Fox’s Intellectual Property practice and its attorneys as industry leaders. Arent Fox is one of the few “go-to” firms for novel and high-profile intellectual property issues. With more than 100 full-time IP professionals, the group offers a full range of services across patent, trademark and copyright matters.

About the USPTO Patent Public Advisory Committee (PPAC) – PPAC was created by Congress in 1999 and reviews USPTO policies, performance, and budget with respect to patents. The nine Committee members serve at the pleasure of the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and are appointed, according to the legislation that created PPAC, based on “substantial background and achievement in finance, management, labor relations, science [or] technology,” among others. PPAC also issues an Annual Report to the President, the Senate and House Judiciary Committees and the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. The Committee’s 2016 Report was released on November 28, 2016 and is available here.