Indiana Intellectual Property Law News
Washington, D.C. — Raymond T. Chen has been confirmed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Judge Chen was nominated to the Federal Circuit by President Barack Obama on
February 7, 2013. On August 1, 2013, the United States Senate voted 97-0 to confirm his nomination. Judge Chen assumed the duties of his office on August 5, 2013.
Prior to his confirmation, Judge Chen served as Deputy General Counsel for Intellectual Property Law and Solicitor at the United States Patent and Trademark Office from 2008 to 2013. He was an Assistant Solicitor in that office from 1998 to 2008. From 1996 to 1998, Judge Chen was a Technical Assistant at the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Before joining the court staff, Judge Chen was an Associate with Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear from 1994 to 1996. Before entering law school, Judge Chen worked as a scientist at Hecker and Harriman from 1989 to 1991.
Judge Chen has received numerous awards for his service, including: the Gold Medal Award, U.S. Department of Commerce (2011); the Bronze Medal Award, U.S. Department of Commerce (2005); and Attorney of the Year, Office of the Solicitor (2002). Judge Chen received a J.D. from the New York University School of Law in 1994 and a B.S. from University of California, Los Angeles in 1990.
Congratulations came from many elected officials. Congressman Chris Van Hollen commended Judge Chen, saying “His swift confirmation speaks to the honorable and successful contributions he has made to the fields of science and the law and to his commitment to public service.”
Senator Mazie K. Hirono praised the nomination, “Congratulations to Ray Chen on his confirmation. It was a privilege to interact with Mr. Chen during the confirmation process and learn more about his story. The son of Taiwanese immigrants, Mr. Chen was trained as an engineer before embarking on a distinguished legal career. Mr. Chen will make history as the first Taiwanese American to serve on a federal appellate court, and I am confident he will serve honorably.”
Applauding the decision to confirm Judge Chen, who “brings a wealth of experience from his distinguished legal career” Congresswoman Judy Chu stated, “I am thrilled that the Senate unanimously confirmed Raymond Chen to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit today.”
Congressman Mike Honda also offered his congratulations, praising Judge Chen as “a highly qualified lawyer, an exemplary public servant, and a shining figure within the Asian American and Pacific Islander legal community.”