USPTO Deputy Director To Leave Next Month

The United States Patent and Trademark Office today announced that USPTO Deputy Director Sharon Barner will leave office on 14 January.

Her position is dually titled the deputy undersecretary of Commerce for intellectual property. Barner was appointed by Commerce Secretary Gary Locke in October 2009. During her 14 months, she led the development of the 2010-2015 USPTO Strategic Plan, which is designed to “strengthen the capacity of the USPTO, reduce patent processing times and improve patent quality,” the office said. Barner also led 15 foreign missions to countries including Brazil, China, India, Mexico and Russia. Her main message appeared to be to raise awareness of the importance of IP rights.

Prior to her appointment, Barner spent more than 23 years practicing IP law. Most recently, she was a partner with Foley & Lardner LLP in Chicago and chaired the firm’s Intellectual Property Department.