Reflections On The USPTO's LEAP

In an effort to provide opportunities for more junior practitioners to gain experience in proceedings before the PTAB, the USPTO earlier this year established the Legal Experience and Advancement Program (LEAP). To encourage meaningful participation of young patent attorneys and agents in oral advocacy, the PTAB grants additional argument time to parties that choose to participate in LEAP. The PTAB also provides training opportunities for junior practitioners through LEAP. Notably, the PTAB has organized mock oral arguments, wherein pairs of practitioners argue in mock review proceedings before a panel of PTAB judges. The judges then provide individualized feedback for the advocates.