Today the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced that Coke Stewart, performing the functions and duties of the Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the USPTO, will be departing the USPTO to join the faculty at the Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Throughout her time at the USPTO, Stewart held a number of important roles, including Associate Solicitor, Acting Deputy Solicitor, Senior Advisor to the Director, Senior Counsel for Patent Law and Litigation, Senior Counsel to the Director, and Acting Chief of Staff. Most recently, Stewart performed the functions and duties of the Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the USPTO. In addition to her work representing the Director before the Federal Circuit and various district courts, Stewart has been particularly active on a number of key policy issues, including patent eligibility, America Invents Act (AIA) proceedings, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, and inventor and entrepreneur resources.
“Coke has been an invaluable asset and a well-respected member of our team,” said Drew Hirshfeld, performing the functions and duties of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO. “She has served in many important roles culminating in her interim position performing the functions and duties of the Deputy Under Secretary and Deputy Director, and will be sorely missed.”