By Erin Geiger Smith
Feb 7 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Thursday
nominated two government attorneys to fill vacancies on the U.S.
Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
One nominee, Raymond Chen, currently serves as the solicitor
for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, a position he has held
since 2008.
In that position, Chen argued several cases to the Federal
Circuit, defending the USPTO's decisions, according to the
office's website. He also previously served as a technical
assistant for the Federal Circuit, performing the functions of a
staff attorney.
Representatives for the USPTO could not immediately be
reached for comment.
The other nominee, Todd Hughes, a lawyer in the U.S. Justice
Department's civil division, is deputy director of the
commercial litigation branch.
Hughes has specialized in federal personnel matters,
veterans' benefits and international trade.
Justice Department representatives referred questions to the
White House.
In a statement, Obama said both Hughes and Chen have
displayed "exceptional dedication" to public service.
The Federal Circuit is a crucial tribunal for high stakes
intellectual property battles. Another Obama nominee is also
pending for the court: Richard Taranto, an attorney in private
practice.
If the U.S. Senate approves all three nominees, the Federal
Circuit would have its full complement of 12 active judges.
(Additional reporting by Dan Levine)
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