United States Patent and Trademark Office OG Notices: 04 March 2003
Notice of Suspension Chrispin M. Rivera, of Las Vegas, NV, a patent attorney, registration number 33,446. In settlement of a reciprocal matter from the Supreme Court of Nevada, the Director has suspended Rivera for two years from practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office in patent, trademark, and other non-patent law cases. Per the Conditional Guilty Pleas In Exchange For a Stated Form Of Discipline, the Nevada Supreme Court suspended Rivera for two years for violating ethical rules involving competence, diligence, communication, safekeeping property, and engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, and Rivera agreed to pay restitution to his clients in the amount of $56,730.49. The suspension imposed by the Director begins April 9, 2002 and ends April 8, 2004. This action by the Director is taken pursuant to the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 32, and 37 C.F.R. 10.133(g). February 4, 2003 HARRY I. MOATZ Director of Enrollment and Discipline Notice of Suspension Michael J. Colitz, Jr., of Largo, Florida, a patent attorney, registration number 22,822. The General Counsel, on behalf of the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, has ordered the suspension of Colitz from practice before the USPTO for five years under the conditions set forth in 37 CFR 10.158, but two years are stayed. The suspension is for violating USPTO Disciplinary Rules ("DR") 10.40 (withdrawing from employment without taking reasonable steps to avoid foreseeable prejudice to the rights of the practitioner's client(s); DR 10.47(a) and/or (c) (aiding non-practitioner in the unauthorized practice of law before the USPTO); DR 10.48 and/or 10.49 (sharing legal fees with a non-practitioner and/or forming a partnership with a non-practitioner to practice law before the USPTO); DR 10.68 (permitting a party which recommended or paid the practitioner to render legal services for others to direct and/or regulate the practitioner's professional judgment in rendering such legal services); and DR 10.77(b) and/or (c) (handling a legal matter without preparation adequate under the circumstances and/or neglecting an entrusted legal matter). The suspension runs from February 2, 2003. This action is taken pursuant to the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 32, and 37 C.F.R. 10.156 and 10.159. February 4, 2003 HARRY I. MOATZ Director of Enrollment and Discipline