Bracewell’s Kit Crumbley, who joined the firm in October 2023 after serving as a Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) judge, spoke with Managing IP about finally being able to act on behalf of clients.
“One of the goals was to use my experience and expertise in the office on behalf of clients, and it’s nice to finally be able to say that I’ll be the one signing the brief or appearing before the agency,” Crumbley said. “Going forward, I think there’s a lot more opportunity.”
Former PTAB judges must wait one year before they can officially appear before the board. Now that the cooling off period has expired, he can advise parties directly, including in PTAB proceedings.
Crumbley expects that the primary focus of his practice will be inter partes review (IPRs) before the PTAB, stating, “That’s where my core expertise is, and my experience has been.”
He added that he has enjoyed being able to play an advisory role on IP matters with Bracewell.
“It’s rewarding. But it’s more rewarding to be the one doing the representation at the board.”
