Richard (“Rick”) M. Bemben is a director in Sterne Kessler’s Electronics Practice Group and a Co-Chair of the firm’s PTAB Practice. He is a recognized leader in post-grant proceedings before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Over the last decade, Rick has been counsel in over 130 PTAB proceedings—including inter partes reviews, post-grant reviews, and covered business method reviews. He has also been counsel in more than a dozen related Federal Circuit appeals. In 2023, Patexia ranked Rick as one of the most active and best performing PTAB attorneys over the five-year period from July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2023. Notably, he was ranked as the 2nd Best Performing PTAB Attorney Representing Patent Owners, and within the Top 50 Best Performing PTAB Attorneys Overall (representing Petitioners or Patent Owners) during this five-year period.

Rick often speaks and publishes on patent- and PTAB-related topics. For example, he served as Co-Editor of Sterne Kessler’s “2023 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis & Trends” report, which synthesizes key events and decisions that occurred at the PTAB and provides detailed analysis to serve as a helpful reference for those who practice before or adjacent to the PTAB. He is also contributing author of Patent Office Litigation, Second Edition, which published in 2017.

Rick’s practice also includes worldwide patent portfolio development and providing clients with strategic advice on a variety of issues related to intellectual property, including handling pre-suit demand letters, conducting freedom-to-operate studies, and implementing other defensive strategies. He has experience with a wide range of computer and electrical technologies, including microelectronics and semiconductor fabrication, networking and mobile communications, software, green technologies (GreenTech), including electric vehicle charging systems and battery energy storage systems, financial technologies (FinTech), and medical technologies (MedTech).

Prior to practicing as an attorney, Rick served as a patent examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for about six years, examining utility patent applications related to digital cameras, image sensors, optics, image processing hardware and software, camera phones, smartphones and smartphone applications, motion capture, target tracking, stop-motion animation, medical devices (e.g., endoscopes), vehicle navigation, and touchscreens and touchscreen manipulation. His experience as an examiner provides valuable insight into his multi-faceted practice.

Rick received his J.D., with honors, from The George Washington University Law School where he also was a Thurgood Marshall Scholar. He received his B.S., magna cum laude, in computer engineering, and his M.S. in electrical engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Rick’s graduate work included developing and co-teaching an advanced semiconductor processing course for graduate and upper-level undergraduate students. The course provides a hands-on overview of integrated circuit design and fabrication—from computer-aided circuit layout to semiconductor fabrication to electrical testing—and continues to be offered at Virginia Tech to students pursuing degrees in microelectronics.

  • Patexia, “100 Best Performing Attorneys Representing Patent Owners – PTAB (Ranked #2)” (2023)
  • Patexia, “100 Best Performing Attorneys Overall – PTAB (Top 50)” (2023)
  • Patexia, “100 Most Active Attorneys Representing Patent Owners – PTAB (Top 25)” (2023)
  • Patexia, “100 Most Active Attorneys Overall – PTAB (Top 50)” (2023)
  • Patexia, “100 Most Active Attorneys Representing Patent Owners – Inter Partes Review” (2022)
  • Patexia, “100 Best Performing Attorneys Representing Patent Owners – Inter Partes Review (Top 50)” (2022)
  • Super Lawyers, “Rising Star – Washington, DC” (2021)

  • J.D., The George Washington University Law School, with honors, Thurgood Marshall Scholar
  • M.S., Electrical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
  • B.S., Computer Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, magna cum laude

  • District of Columbia
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • United States Patent & Trademark Office
  • Virginia

  • Patent Trial and Appeal Board Bar Association
  • Tau Beta Pi
  • IEEE – Eta Kappa Nu

Webinar

2023 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis & Trends

Virtual, February 7, 2024 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM PST

Webinar

The Future of Patent Policy

Virtual, November 15, 2023 10:10 AM - 10:55 AM PST

Speaking Engagement

An Introduction to Patent Law and Legal Career Paths for Engineers and Scientists

Rochester, NY, November 3, 2023 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PST

Webinar

2022 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis and Trends

Virtual, February 28, 2023 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM PST

Speaking Engagement

PTAB on Trial

Virtual, November 17, 2022 11:20 AM - 12:20 PM PST

Speaking Engagement

PTAB Bar Association Thought Leader Summit 2022

USPTO, Madison Bldg. Auditorium, November 9, 2022 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM PST

Speaking Engagement

Is It Patentable? § 101 Considerations for Prosecution and Litigation

Huntington Beach, CA, Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa, June 16, 2022 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM PST

Webinar

PTAB Analysis, Trends, and Forecast: Fintiv and Discretionary Denials

VIRTUAL, March 21, 2022 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM PST

Speaking Engagement

PTAB Bar Association Round Table Discussion

Virtual, January 28, 2021 3:50 PM - 4:50 PM PST

Speaking Engagement

Trademark Challenges and Opportunities in Technology

Virtual, October 6, 2020 11:35 AM - 12:35 PM PST

Speaking Engagement

2019 IEEE Global Blockchain Summit

Gaithersburg, MD, NIST Gaithersburg Campus, September 18, 2019 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM PST

Speaking Engagement

BlockChainge DC 2019

Washington, DC, Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, January 14, 2019 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM PST

Speaking Engagement

Patenting Blockchain 2018

The Hague, Netherlands, European Patent Office (EPO), December 4, 2018

Speaking Engagement

Round Table on Patenting Blockchain

Munich, Germany, European Patent Office, October 22, 2018

Speaking Engagement

2018 IEEE Global Blockchain Summit

Gaithersburg, MD, NIST Gaithersburg Campus, September 17, 2018

Speaking Engagement

3rd Annual Blockchain Conference

Washington, D.C., The George Washington University, July 26, 2018

Related Resources

From Richard M. Bemben

Press Release

February 29, 2024

Directors Bemben and Fitzsimmons Join Co-Chairs of Sterne Kessler’s Award-Winning PTAB Practice

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox

Bylined Articles

February 8, 2024

The Staying Power of Fintiv: The Effect of Parallel Litigation at the PTAB in 2023

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Richard M. Bemben, John D. Higgins

Press Release

February 8, 2024

Award-Winning PTAB Team Publishes 2023 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis & Trends Report

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Richard M. Bemben, John D. Higgins

Webinar Recordings & Materials

February 7, 2024

2023 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis & Trends

Richard M. Bemben, John D. Higgins

Bylined Articles

November 16, 2023

PTAB Spotlight Series with Richard Bemben

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Richard M. Bemben, John D. Higgins

Press Release

September 18, 2023

Sterne Kessler Achieves Top Litigation Rankings in Patexia’s 2023 PTAB Intelligence Report

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Richard M. Bemben, John D. Higgins

Firm Announcements

September 6, 2023

Sterne Kessler Helps Secure Denial of IPR Against Patent for Optimizing Media Content Playback

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Richard M. Bemben, John D. Higgins

Firm Announcements

September 6, 2023

Sterne Kessler Helps Secure Denial of Two IPRs for Patent Owner Polaris PowerLED

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Richard M. Bemben, John D. Higgins

Firm Announcements

September 6, 2023

Sterne Kessler Secures Denial of IPR for Patent Owner Eagleview Technologies

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Richard M. Bemben, John D. Higgins

Webinar Recordings & Materials

February 28, 2023

2022 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis and Trends

Richard M. Bemben, John D. Higgins

In the News

February 15, 2023

PTAB Sees Uptick in Filings After Vidal's Fintiv Guidance

Law360 Richard M. Bemben, John D. Higgins

In the News

December 20, 2022

How Vidal Set the PTAB on a New Course in 2022

Law360 Richard M. Bemben, John D. Higgins

In the News

November 10, 2022

Patexia Insight 158: Top IPR Firms of 2022

Patexia Richard M. Bemben, John D. Higgins

Press Release

October 11, 2022

Sterne Kessler Notches Top Rankings in 2022 IPR Intelligence Report Based on PTAB Case Volume and Results

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Richard M. Bemben, John D. Higgins

In the News

October 5, 2022

PTAB Rejects Dell’s Challenges to 3 Video Tech Patents

Law360 Richard M. Bemben, John D. Higgins

In the News

July 19, 2022

PTAB Won’t Ax Claims in Caller ID Patent Row on Remand

Law360 Richard M. Bemben, John D. Higgins

Webinar Recordings & Materials

March 21, 2022

PTAB Analysis, Trends, and Forecast Webinar: Fintiv and Discretionary Denials

Richard M. Bemben, John D. Higgins

Client Alert

March 7, 2022

IP Hot Topic: 2021 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis & Trends

Richard M. Bemben, John D. Higgins

Reports

March 7, 2022

2021 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis & Trends

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Multiple Authors

Bylined Articles

March 7, 2022

Fintiv Continues To Take Center Stage: The Effect of Parallel Litigation at the PTAB in 2021

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Richard M. Bemben, Steven M. Pappas

Bylined Articles

March 7, 2022

Editors' Introduction

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Multiple Authors

Press Release

March 7, 2022

Sterne Kessler Publishes 2021 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis & Trends Report

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Multiple Authors

In the News

January 28, 2022

PTAB Clears Nasdaq To Seek Director Review of Axed IP

Law360 Multiple Authors

Reports

January 14, 2022

PTAB Bar Association 2021 Appellate Year in Review

PTAB Bar Association Multiple Authors

In the News

October 27, 2021

As Attys Sharpen PTAB Strategies, Fintiv Denials Are Falling

Law360 Multiple Authors

Press Release

July 26, 2021

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Earns 13 Market-Leading Awards for Excellence in the First Six Months of 2021

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Multiple Authors

In the News

May 4, 2021

PTAB Faulted For Logic Behind Anti-Spoofing Patent Ruling

Law360 Multiple Authors

Press Release

April 27, 2021

Super Lawyers Recognizes 17 Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Attorneys as 2021 “Super Lawyers” and “Rising Stars”

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Multiple Authors

Client Alert

March 25, 2020

IP Hot Topic: Quick Tips for Navigating PTAB Remote Procedures

Richard M. Bemben, Robert Greene Sterne

Client Alert

March 4, 2020

IP Hot Topic: 2019 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis & Trends

Multiple Authors

PTAB Strategies and Insights

February 28, 2020

PTAB Strategies and Insights - February 2020

Multiple Authors

Press Release

February 28, 2020

Sterne Kessler Publishes 2019 PTAB Year in Review Report

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. Multiple Authors

Bylined Articles

February 27, 2020

Petitioners Beware Discretionary Denial

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. Richard M. Bemben, Steven M. Pappas

Reports

February 25, 2020

2019 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis & Trends

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Multiple Authors

In the News

January 9, 2020

'Indefensible' Patent Eligibility Rule Must Go, Justices Told

Law360 Multiple Authors

In the News

December 20, 2019

SG Tells Justices To Skip 'Unsuitable' Abstract Patent Appeal

Law360 Multiple Authors

In the News

November 20, 2019

PTAB Wrestles With How To Construe Anti-Spoofing Patent

Law360 Multiple Authors

In the News

October 17, 2019

Citing Looming Trial, PTAB Won't Review Anti-Spoofing Patent

Law360 Multiple Authors

In the News

September 16, 2019

Invalidating Abstract Patents Isn't Working, Justices Told

Law360 Multiple Authors

In the News

July 30, 2019

IBG, Broker Ask High Court To Clarify 'Confusing' CBM Rules

Law360 Multiple Authors

In the News

July 1, 2019

Fed. Circ. Lets Alice Invalidate Another Trading Tech Patent

Law360 Multiple Authors

In the News

May 14, 2019

Fed. Circ. Axes 4 More Trading Tech Patents Under Alice

Law360 Multiple Authors

In the News

May 8, 2019

Law360 Names Attys Who Moved Up The Firm Ranks In Q1

Law360 Multiple Authors

In the News

April 30, 2019

Fed. Circ. Nixes Another Trading Tech Patent As Abstract

Law360 Multiple Authors

In the News

April 18, 2019

Fed. Circ. Won't Revive Alice-Axed Trading Tech Patents

Law360 Multiple Authors

Press Release

January 3, 2019

Sterne Kessler Elects Six New Directors

Multiple Authors

Bylined Articles

November 15, 2018

Reinventing The Block: Strategic Intellectual Property Considerations For Blockchain Innovators

CIO Outlook Multiple Authors

In the News

August 7, 2018

Apple, Fitbit Get Heart Sensor Patent Slashed At PTAB

Law360 Multiple Authors

Client Alert

June 1, 2018

SAS Decision’s Impact on Pending Appeals from the PTAB

Multiple Authors

Client Alert

April 30, 2018

PTAB Chief Judge Addresses Impact of SAS

Richard M. Bemben

Client Alert

April 26, 2018

PTAB issues post-SAS guidance

Richard M. Bemben

PTAB Strategies and Insights

April 18, 2018

PTAB Strategies and Insights - April 2018

Multiple Authors

Bylined Articles

April 18, 2018

Indirectly Related Patents Get Same Claim Construction Through Collateral Estoppel

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Jason D. Eisenberg, Richard M. Bemben

In the News

July 5, 2017

TC Heartland Is Already Remaking The Patent Litigation Map

Law360 Jason D. Eisenberg, Richard M. Bemben

Books and Chapters

February 17, 2017

Patent Office Litigation - Second Edition 2017

Thomson Reuters Westlaw Multiple Authors

In the News

February 13, 2017

Scan-to-Email Patent Finally Done; Claim Scope Broadened by Narrow Provisional Application

Patently-O Multiple Authors

In the News

February 13, 2017

Fed. Circ. Affirms PTAB Ax Of MPHJ Scanner Patent

Law360 Multiple Authors

News

August 2, 2016

Troll' Asks Fed. Circ. To Save Scanner IP In Xerox Row

Law360 Multiple Authors

Press Release

March 25, 2016

Sterne Kessler Leads at the USPTO Patent Trial and Appeal Board With 400+ IPRs

Multiple Authors

Bylined Articles

July 15, 2015

Ways to Cure Patents That Leave IPR Alive But Damaged

Law360 Jason D. Eisenberg, Richard M. Bemben

In the News

May 27, 2015

Xerox, Others Slam Scanner "Patent Troll" IP in PTAB Review

Law360 Jason D. Eisenberg, Richard M. Bemben