PTAB Webinar 12-1PM (EST) This Thursday

As discussed a few weeks back, the USPTO launched the Patent Trial and Appeal Board’s (PTAB) Legal Experience and Advancement Program (LEAP). LEAP is designed to foster development of the next generation of patent practitioners by creating opportunities to gain the proper skills and experience in oral arguments before the Board.

To this end, the PTAB is offering the first LEAP webinar training on oral advocacy this Thursday, May 14, from noon to 1 p.m. ET.

LEAP is designed to encourage the professional development of patent attorneys and agents appearing before the PTAB through increased opportunities for oral advocacy in ex parte appeal and AIA trial proceedings. Accordingly, the PTAB will grant up to 15 minutes additional argument time to parties that choose to participate in LEAP, depending on the length of the proceeding and the PTAB’s hearing schedule.

Judges on the webinar will offer training on oral advocacy to help prepare LEAP practitioners to argue before the Board. The training will cover topics such as use of demonstratives, effective use of hearing time, decorum, and logistics of an oral hearing.  Deputy Chief Judge Jackie Bonilla, Vice Chief Judge Janet Gongola, Lead Judge Stacey White, and Judges Amanda Wieker and Christa Zado will present.

The webinar is free and open to all. There will be a Q&A session at the end.

Questions may be in advance or during the webinar to LEAP@uspto.gov. Webinar access information is found (here).