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PTO Petitions, Appeals & Special Procedures

The USPTO Petitions, Appeals and Special Procedures Practice Group includes attorneys who are experienced in resolving unique and complex issues as a result of their service at the highest levels of operation in the USPTO.

Members of the Group oversee the handling of complex and special matters before the USPTO on behalf of the firm’s clients.

Members of the USPTO Petitions, Appeals and Special Procedures Practice Group are frequently called upon as advisors for other law firms when difficult or arcane issues are encountered, both during patent procurement and in reexaminations during patent litigation. These members are also called upon frequently as expert witnesses during patent litigation for their knowledge of the workings of the USPTO.

Members of the Group include:

  • Bruce Stoner, who served for more than thirty three years at the USPTO, including seventeen years on the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences. Judge Stoner’s service on the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences includes eight years as Chief Judge;
  • Gary V. Harkcom, who served for more than twenty six years at the USPTO, including fourteen years on the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences. Judge Harkcom’s service on the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences includes thirteen years as Vice Chief Judge and one year as Acting Chief Judge;
  • William E. Lyddane, who served for more than twenty four years at the USPTO, including eleven years on the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences;
  • Arnold Turk, who served for more than fifteen years at the USPTO. During his time at the USPTO, Mr. Turk served as a Special Program Examiner in the Office of the Assistant Commissioner for Patents where he was responsible for handling duty of disclosure issues.