IP Practitioners are anxiously awaiting news on who will the incoming Trump administration selection to replace Kathi Vidal as Director of the USPTO.   And while many fine candidates are sure to emerge in the conversation, sources indicate that one name being considered for the agency’s top job is Pillsbury Winthrop long-time partner William P. Atkins.

I could not be happier if this rumor is true because there are  few IP attorneys in the country who understand the Patent and Trademark Office better than Bill Atkins (in all transparency, Bill and I have known each other since law school).

My own personal interests aside,  Bill knows IP law, policy and practice, having represented hundreds of clients in high-stakes patent and trademark disputes before the USPTO itself (PTAB and TTAB) as well as in many federal district court, circuit court, and ITC proceedings.  He has authored and filed numerous amicus briefs on patent and trademark policy and legal issues with the Federal Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court.

Bill is also a leader in his law firm, where he has worked since 1992.  Bill has held various leadership positions at Pillsbury, including Managing Board, Co-Chair of 120 attorney IP Section, and Office Managing Partner.

Bill has dedicated himself to the advancement of the IP profession.  Indeed, he is the brainchild behind, and long-time editor of, the PTAB Handbook, now in its eight edition.  Bill also is Co-Editor of the ABA’s Patent Litigation Strategies Handbook (5th Edition 2024).  He has served as an Adjunct Professor at the George Washington University School of Law (2017-present) and University of Maryland Law School (2023-present).

Bill lives and breathes IP law and policy.  He is a committed leader to the profession.  He has the skills, smarts and stamina to lead the USPTO, advancing sensible policies to further the United State’s leadership in the international IP community.  He brings common sense to a job that desperately needs it.  He is both practitioner friendly while also understanding the greater importance of a strong patent and trademark system.  He is sure to bring wisdom and vision to this crucially important post.

The USPTO needs a strong, smart, dedicated IP leader at the helm.   Hopefully the Trump administration gives the job to Bill.  In any case, all eyes will be watching the nomination process unfold in the coming weeks.