Kathi Vidal Explained

Kathi Vidal
Office:	Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property
Term Start:	April 19, 2022
President:	Joe Biden
Predecessor:	Andrei Iancu
Office1:	Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office
Term Start1:	April 13, 2022
President1:	Joe Biden
Predecessor1:	Andrei Iancu
Birth Name:	Katherine Antionette Kelly
Birth Place:	Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.
Education:	Binghamton University (BS) Syracuse University (MS) University of Pennsylvania (JD)

Kathi Vidal (born 1968)^[1] is an American intellectual property lawyer and former engineer who serves as Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Education

Vidal earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Binghamton University, a Master of Science in electrical engineering from Syracuse University, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.^{[2] [3]}

Career

Vidal began her career as an engineer for General Electric and Lockheed Martin, working in the areas of artificial intelligence, software engineering, and circuitry.^[4] From 1996 to 1997, she served as a law clerk for Judge Alvin Anthony Schall of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. From 1997 to 2017, she was a litigator at Fish & Richardson. From April 2017 to April 2022, she was the Silicon Valley managing partner and patent litigator at Winston & Strawn.^{[5] [6]}

USPTO

On October 26, 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Vidal to be the next Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).^[7] On December 1, 2021, a hearing on her nomination was held before the Senate Judiciary Committee.^[8] On January 13, 2022, her nomination was reported out of committee by a 17–5 vote.^[9] On April 5, 2022, the United States Senate confirmed Vidal by voice vote.^[10] She was sworn in as the director of the USPTO on April 13, 2022,^[11] and was sworn in as under secretary on April 19, 2022.^[12]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Questionnaire for Judicial Nominees. United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. June 10, 2023.
2. Web site: 2021-10-04. Kathi Vidal Floated as Possible USPTO Director Nominee. 2021-10-26. IPWatchdog.com Patents & Patent Law. en-US.
3. News: Biden nominates Winston & Strawn partner Kathi Vidal to lead USPTO. Reuters. 26 October 2021. Brittain. Blake.
4. Web site: Kathi Vidal Nominated for USPTO Director - Intellectual Property - United States.
5. Web site: Winston's Kathi Vidal Is Biden's Pick to Lead Patent Office. 2021-10-26. news.bloomberglaw.com. en.
6. Web site: Kathi Vidal - Patent Litigator. 2021-10-26. Winston & Strawn. en.
7. Web site: President Biden Announces Key Nominations . The White House . 26 October 2021 . 18 March 2022.
8. Web site: Nominations. December 1, 2021. United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Washington, D.C..
9. Web site: Results of Executive Business Meeting – January 13, 2022. US Senate Committee on the Judiciary. 10 June 2023.
10. Web site: PN1326 — Katherine Vidal — Department of Commerce 117th Congress (2021-2022). US Congress. 18 March 2022.
11. Web site: USPTO Welcomes New Director Kathi Vidal. 2022-04-13. United States Patent and Trademark Office. 2022-04-13.
12. SecRaimondo. Gina. Raimondo. 1516527235745951747 . Kathi Vidal's leadership & expertise will be instrumental in executing @USPTO's mission to protect & empower U.S. entrepreneurs. 2022-04-25.