Patent Office Director Vidal to Return to Winston & Strawn (1)

Kathi Vidal will rejoin Winston & Strawn LLP as a partner after stepping down as the director of the US Patent and Trademark Office in December, the firm announced Monday.

Beginning Dec. 16, she will be a part of the firm’s litigation department in its Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C., offices, according to the release, and a member of the firm’s executive committee. Vidal will focus on “critical innovations” including artificial intelligence and semiconductors upon her return, Winston said.

The news comes less than a week after Vidal issued a letter saying she’d return to the private sector, with Deputy Director Derrick Brent taking over running the PTO.

Vidal was nominated to lead the agency in October 2021 by President Joe Biden while a partner at Winston’s Silicon Valley office, where she represented technology, financial, and medical device companies, including Microsoft Corp. She was confirmed by the Senate in April 2022.

“I made the decision to rejoin Winston because of its incredible team and culture which is well-positioned to handle the issues of the future,” Vidal said in a statement.