Program Committee
This committee arranges logistics for regional meetings, CLEs, and webinars. It also arranges program speakers and topics, and it develops and coordinates sponsorship opportunities related to these programs. The Program Committee is aligned with the Annual Conference Committee, Industry Committee, PTAB Trials Committee, Committee on Appeals to the PTAB, and Committee on Appeals from the PTAB to coordinate substantive programming and topics, and is expected to coordinate with other committees to identify program speakers throughout the year.
Join us: program.committee@ptabbar.org
| Frank Bernstein | Joel Sayres | Jeremy Monaldo | Alexis Cohen | Gracie Mills | Ethan Goldschen | Grace Wang |
| Committee Co-Chair | Committee Co-Chair | Committee Co-Chair, Emeritus | Committee Vice-Chair | Committee Vice-Chair | Committee Vice-Chair | Committee Vice-Chair |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Webinars
The committee produces webinars on various topics. If you have a topic that you are interested in hearing about or presenting on, please contact one of our chairs.On February 20, 2025, the Program Committee hosted a webinar, Discretionary Denials. Speakers included Kristi L.R. Sawert, Bridget Smith, Lestin L. Kenton, Jr., and Ethan Goldschen. Click here to view the recording of the presentation.
On September 16, 2024, the Program Committee hosted a webinar, Bench and Bar Discussion of IPR Strategies and Practical Tips. Speakers included Hon. Jacqueline Bonilla, Frederic Meeker, Lestin Kenton, and Ethan Goldschen. Click here to access a PPT presentation summarizing the information shared in the webinar.
On August 22, 2024, the Program Committee, in collaboration with the Rocky Mountain Regional Office of the USPTO (“RMRO”) and the Colorado IP American Inn of Court, held a special in-person event in Denver, Colorado, in conjunction with the 10-year anniversary of the RMRO entitled, The Evolution of PTAB Trial Practice Since the AIA: A Celebration of the 10-Year Anniversary of the RMRO. This three-part celebration brought together current and former USPTO judges and stakeholders, and featured programming at the RMRO and Colorado Bar Association, exploring the evolution of the RMRO and PTAB practice over the last decade. Speakers included: Chief Judge Boalick, Judges Haapala, Kalan, and Arpin, as well as Former USPTO Director Andrei Iancu, Former USPTO Deputy Director Russ Silfer, and Former USPTO Commissioner for Patents Bob Stoll.
   |
On June 12, 2024, the Program Committee hosted a Webinar, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking – Discretionary Denials, Rule 325(d), Parallel/Serial Petitions, Filing of Settlement Agreements. The PowerPoint from the presentation can be found here. Click here to access a recording of the presentation.
On April 3, 2024, the Program Committee hosted a Webinar, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking-Motions to Amend. Click here to access a recording of the presentation. The PowerPoint from the presentation can be found here.
The Program Committee is presenting a series of three webinars on the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) recently issued by the USPTO regarding PTAB practice. The ANPRM addresses many issues that have surfaced over the first ten years of IPR practice under the America Invents Act. The ANPRM is intended to solicit additional input from all interested parties before the USPTO issues a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
- The first webinar, Impact on Procedures – PTAB Proposed Rule Changes, was held on June 8, 2023 and addressed the potential impact on logistics surrounding preparation of petitions, procedural denials of petitions, and settlement of PTAB disputes. Click here to access a recording of the presentation. The PowerPoint from the presentation can be found here
- The second webinar, on June 12, 2023,10:00amPT/1:00pmET, Improving IPR Practice – Implementing the AIA Ten Years Later, Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking – Impact on Parties addressed the potential impact of the ANPRM on parties to PTAB proceedings, including impacts on smaller entities, whether and how to collaborate in post-grant proceedings, and the estoppel effect on related parties. Click here to access a recording of the presentation. The PowerPoint from the presentation can be found here
- The third webinar, PTAB Discretion – Proposed Rule Changes, June 16, 2023, 11:00amPT/2:00pmET, addressed proposed changes regarding discretionary denials, Fintiv, and “compelling merits”. Click here to access a recording of the presentation. The PowerPoint from the presentation can be found here
On February 23, 2023, the Program Committee hosted a Webinar, Veterans Before the PTAB and in IP: A Discussion of Veterans as a Diverse Constituency Appearing Before the PTAB. Click here to access a recording of the presentation. The PowerPoint from the presentation can be found here.
June 30, 2022, the Program Committee hosted a Webinar, Discussion of New USPTO Guidance on PTAB Discretionary Denials and Applicant Admitted Prior Act (AAPA) Issued in June 2022. The Webinar PowerPoint and supporting documents: USPTO Guidance Dated June 9, 2022, USPTO Guidance Dated June 21, 2022, and Qualcomm v. Apple, Inc. can be found here.
