Kathi Vidal is set to return to Winston & Strawn LLP as a partner, a move that follows her resignation as Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Vidal will officially step into her new role on December 16, joining the firm’s litigation department in both its Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C. offices. Additionally, she is appointed as a member of the firm’s executive committee. This transition is a return to a familiar environment for Vidal, who had previously been a part of Winston & Strawn before her tenure at the USPTO.
The announcement of her return comes shortly after Vidal publicly declared her intent to step down from her governmental role, effectively passing the baton to Deputy Director Derrick Brent [Bloomberg Law]. Her decision to rejoin the private sector underscores the fluidity between public service and private practice, particularly in the realm of intellectual property law where expertise is highly sought after.
Prior to her influential role at the USPTO, where she was pivotal in directing policy and operations, Vidal was known for her substantial contributions to the field of intellectual property law. Her extensive experience, both in governmental and private sectors, positions her as a strategic asset to Winston & Strawn’s already formidable legal team.
Vidal’s return is part of larger trends within the legal profession where top talents oscillate between significant government positions and critical roles in private firms. Her move is likely to have notable ramifications in the industry, marking yet another stage in her career which continues to be closely followed by those within the legal and intellectual property fields.
For further information, you can access the full article on Bloomberg Law.