Top patent litigator Wayne Stacy, JD ‘98, was virtually sworn in as the regional director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's West Coast Region in Silicon Valley June 9.
A tech-focused attorney with a computer engineering background, Mr. Stacy most recently served as a partner in Baker Botts’ IP group in San Francisco. Prior to joining Baker Botts, he was a partner in Cooley LLP's Colorado office.
Consistently ranked by Chambers USA (2007-16) and Intellectual Asset Manager (IAM) as one of the top patent litigators in the United States, he was honored as an "IP Trailblazer" by the National Law Journal in 2017. He also has served as an adjunct professor of patent and copyright law at four major law schools, including University of California, Berkeley.
“We are very pleased to see another GW alum take on a central leadership role in IP,” said John M. Whealan, Associate Dean for Intellectual Property Law, who served as the USPTO’s deputy general counsel for intellectual property law and solicitor prior to joining GW. “Congress's recent creation of the USPTO's satellite offices has made a positive impact on the patent system and the inventor community. Given Wayne's experience, he will make a great leader of the California office, which given the large number of stakeholders in that area is one of the most important USPTO satellite offices in the country.”
In his new role, Mr. Stacy looks forward to actively engaging with innovators throughout the region, which encompasses seven states, and helping both individuals and companies efficiently protect their innovations.
“I’ve had the incredible opportunity to spend over 20 years representing technology companies of all sizes—from startups to Fortune 50, and innovation was key to the success and growth of these companies,” he said. “I saw firsthand that many of them would have failed but for the protections bestowed by the USPTO. This new position gives me the ability to help and motivate others to capitalize on their innovations and grow the economy. It is an incredible opportunity to make a meaningful difference.”
Stating that “talent is evenly distributed; opportunity is not,” Mr. Stacy said his primary goals as regional director are to advance opportunities to participate in the innovation economy and to increase predictability in the IP system. “We have a great team at the USPTO, and we want to make sure that more people in more places have the opportunity to participate in the innovation-based economy, which is an important driver of jobs and higher incomes.”