The American Association of Patent Judges

ORAL HISTORY

BOARD CHIEFS REFLECT ON THEIR TENURES LEADING THE BOARD (2021)

A virtual gathering of all the living Chiefs of the Board (except Gary Harkcom, Acting Chief Administrative Patent Judge (2003-2004)), who was unable to attend) took place on May 7, 2021. The Chiefs spoke about their tenures leading the Board. 

The event was held under the auspices of the AAPJ, Murriel Crawford, President, and was moderated by former Administrative Patent Judge James Carmichael. A video and transcript of the event are posted below.

The AAPJ thanks the Honorable Chiefs of the Board for sharing their personal reflections. The video and transcript are the best record of the Board’s evolution and accomplishments of the past 25 years. The Board faced many challenges during this time. In surmounting them, the Board’s stature has increased. That is a testament to their exemplary leadership. 

Thanks to the 2020-2021 AAPJ Planning Committee (James T. Carmichael, Lora Green, and Russell Cass).

The Original Announcement

THE AAPJ

THE BOARD

IN MEMORIAM

Hon. John Paul Pinkerton

Administrative Patent Judge
Patent Trial and Appeal Board
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Source: Sand Springs Leader

Hon. Stephen Julien Emery
Examiner-In-Chief
Administrative Patent Judge
Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Source: Washington Post

Hon. Norman G. Torchin
Examiner-In-Chief
Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Source: Washington Post

Hon. John Thomas Goolkasian
Examiner-In-Chief
Administrative Patent Judge
Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Source: Washington Post

Hon. Alton Douglas Rollins
Examiner-In-Chief
Administrative Patent Judge
Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Source: Rest Haven Funeral Home

Hon. Lawrence “Larry” John Staab
Administrative Patent Judge
Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Source: Miller Funeral Home

 

Hon. Natalie Trousof
Acting Examiner-in-Chief
Board of Appeals, U.S. Patent Office

Source: Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home

Hon. Gordon K. Milestone
Examiner-in-Chief
Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Source: Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home

Hon. Donald D. Forrer
Examiner-in-Chief
Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Source: Beall Funeral Home

Hon. Melanie L. McCollum
Administrative Patent Judge
Patent Trial and Appeal Board, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Source: Capital Gazette

Hon. Irving Pellman
Administrative Patent Judge
Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Source: Washington Post

Hon. James R. Boler
Examiner-in-Chief
Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Source: Washington Post

Hon. Frederick E. McKelvey
Senior Administrative Patent Judge
Patent Trial and Appeal Board, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Source: Fauquier Now
Memorial Service

Hon. James D. Thomas
Examiner-In-Chief
Administrative Patent Judge
Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Source: Pumphrey Funeral Homes

Hon. Samuel Hermann Blech
Examiner-In-Chief
Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Source: findagrave.com

Hon. Douglas W. Robinson
Administrative Patent Judge
Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Hon. Stanley M. Urynowicz, Jr.
Administrative Patent Judge
Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Source: Washington Post

Hon. Paul Joseph Henon, Jr.
Examiner-in-Chief
Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Source: Legacy.com

Hon. Harrison E. McCandlish
Administrative Patent Judge
Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Source: The Washington Times

Hon. John Francis Gonzales
Administrative Patent Judge
Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Source: Times-Picayune

Hon. Evelyn K. Merker
Examiner-in-Chief
Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Source: Legacy

Hon. A Donald Messenheimer
Examiner-in-Chief
Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Source: findagrave.com

Hon. Jerry Smith
Administrative Patent Judge
Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Source: Washington Post 

Hon. Elizabeth C. Weimar
Administrative Patent Judge
Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Sources: American University Law Review | findagrave.com | Washington Post