Patent Law

Federal Circuit Chief Judge Paul Michel was the featured speaker at the November 20, 2009 Federal Circuit Bar Association Annual Dinner. At that dinner, Chief Judge Michel took that opportunity to announce that he will step-down as from the Bench at the end of May 2010. Although eligible for 'senior status,' Michel indicated that he plans to stop judging rather than take senior status.

The FCBA released the following statement:

The 25th Annual Federal Circuit Bar Association Dinner was a night to remember. The featured speaker, Chief Judge Paul R. Michel, announced that he would step down as Chief Judge and as a member of the judiciary, effective May 31, 2010. His moving speech rallied the community to serve and protect the Federal Circuit and the judiciary, as well as all institutions of governance. The record setting crowd included many of Chief Judge Michel's colleagues, who honored him with several standing ovations.

Chief Judge Michel has been a tireless and passionate leader of the Court, as well as a friend of the Association and the broad spectrum legal community within its jurisdiction. Those attending were heartened by the Chief's promise to continue his impressive career of public service after leaving the Court. We are confident that he will do so in new and important ways. His 21 years of service on the Court, capped by his tenure as Chief Judge, make for an enduring legacy on top of all his other accomplishments. We are proud to have shared his night with him and his wife, Brooke. We are confident of exciting new horizons for them both.

Judge Randall R. Rader, another great friend of the Circuit and its community, is next in line for Chief Judge. The Association looks forward to continuing its unwavering support for the Court and the next Chief Judge as the Circuit continues to write its history as the national court of appeals.