Hon. Grace K. Obermann

USPTO, Patent Trial and Appeal Board

Judge Obermann is an Administrative Patent Judge of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. Appointed in February 2012, she has been paneled on more than 400 AIA trial cases, including IPRs, PGRs, and CBMs, in every major discipline. Judge Obermann is a former Assistant Director of the U.S. Department of Justice. There, she supervised the attorneys that litigate all IP infringement actions brought by or against the United States. She provided comprehensive policy advice on IP matters to federal agencies and the White House. Judge Obermann also personally handled a diverse docket of patent, trademark, and copyright infringement cases involving everything from bombs and satellites to insurance products and postage stamp art. In addition to her public service, Judge Obermann practiced privately at two IP firms. She holds a J.D. from George Washington University and a B.A. in Chemistry from Rutgers University. Judge Obermann clerked for Federal Circuit Judge Raymond Clevenger.