Takeaway: The USPTO has appointed John A. Squires as its new Director, signaling a focus on leveraging his deep IP and technology experience to guide U.S. innovation and global competitiveness.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office announced that John A. Squires has been appointed as its new Director and Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property. In this role, Squires will serve as the nation’s chief intellectual property executive, advising the Commerce Secretary, President Trump, and other agencies on IP policy while overseeing the USPTO’s nearly $5 billion operation and 13,500 employees. He succeeds Acting Director Coke Morgan Stewart, who will continue as Deputy Director. Squires previously chaired the IP and Emerging Companies Practice at Dilworth Paxson LLP and taught at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. With a background in chemistry and law, he brings decades of experience in patents, trademarks, licensing, transactions, and IP litigation to the agency.