PTAB Legal Experience and Advancement Program (LEAP)

Sterne Kessler is a proud leader in developing the next generation of legal talent to practice at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

In April 2020, the USPTO’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) launched the Legal Experience and Advancement Program (LEAP) to provide opportunities for training and development of the next generation of attorneys and patent agents. The program provides up to 15 minutes of extra argument time during an oral hearing for the LEAP practitioner. This extra time is for the arguing party and can be allocated at counsel’s discretion, so long as the LEAP practitioner has a substantive role in the argument. Should the LEAP practitioner need assistance during their argument, a more senior practitioner is permitted to assist and/or correct the record as needed.

Qualifying LEAP practitioners must have three or fewer substantive oral arguments in any federal tribunal, including the PTAB. Read more about LEAP, including testimonials from Sterne Kessler sponsors and participants, on the USPTO’s website here.

Sterne Kessler LEAP Participation

Sterne Kessler held the top position for LEAP requests during the program’s first two years, and our participation has continued since. At Sterne Kessler, LEAP has strong support from firm leadership, advising directors, eligible practitioners, and clients. Though less experienced at oral argument, junior practitioners are steeped in the details of cases and are well-equipped to handle aspects of matters at a hearing. We engage with our clients, who collaborate in the program, to help provide the opportunity to contribute to the development of the practitioners who will be representing them in years to come.

Our active LEAP participation reflects our overall commitment to the career development of our associates. As one associate commented in the 2022 Chambers Associate guide, Sterne Kessler has “a really strong professional development program” with directors who are “really invested in your development.” Another associate noted that directors “say to come to them for anything I need, and they regularly check up on me.”

Sterne Kessler’s LEAP participation is led by Director Graham C. Phero and Director and PTAB Trials Practice leader Jason A. Fitzsimmons, with support from fellow PTAB Trials Practice leaders Eldora L. Ellison, Ph.D., R. Wilson “Trey” Powers III, Ph.D., and Richard Bemben. An extensive group of additional directors and counsel comprise our LEAP advisors roster and other critical support roles for this important professional development program.

What Our LEAP Practitioners and Advisors Have To Say

  • The mock argument practicum helped me feel confident and prepared going into my first PTAB hearing. I particularly appreciated the opportunity to hear from PTAB judges in a small group setting. The general thoughts the judges shared about what they find most persuasive during oral arguments helped me tailor the arguments for my first hearing, and the individualized feedback they provided gave me specific points to focus on as I prepared for the hearing.” – Associate and moot LEAP participant Rebekah Holtz
  • We appreciate how supportive our clients are of the LEAP program. They recognize it’s an important investment in the talent here at Sterne Kessler that will continue advocating on their behalf for years to come.” – Director and LEAP advisor Jason A. Fitzsimmons

Related Resources

Press Release

Director Lestin Kenton Recognized With 2023 Profiles in Diversity Journal® Award

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox January 4, 2024

Bylined Articles

PTAB Spotlight Series with Richard Bemben

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox November 16, 2023

PTAB Strategies and Insights

PTAB Strategies and Insights Newsletter – December 2022

December 15, 2022

Webinar

PTAB LEAP: Preparing for Your AIA Argument

May 6, 2022 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PST

In the News

Patent Tribunal Judges Urge Firms to Send Women, Diverse Lawyers

Bloomberg Law April 28, 2022

In the News

Skilled in the Art With Scott Graham

Law.com April 1, 2022

Bylined Articles

USPTO Lowers Hurdle for LEAP Participation

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox November 30, 2021

Bylined Articles

Observations from the September 17, 2021, LEAP Arguments and Bench Discussion

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox September 28, 2021

Webinar

LEAP Webinar: AIA Oral Argument Encore

September 17, 2021 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM PST

Webinar

2021 Virtual Patent Trial and Appeal Board Bench & Bar Conference

August 5, 2021 1:00 PM - 5:30 PM PST

In the News

PTAB Programs Spurring More Amendments, Faster Appeals

Law360 February 11, 2021

Bylined Articles

Inside The PTAB’s New Oral Argument Training Program

Law360 July 29, 2020