Heidi S. Nebel Named Vice Chair of the USPTO Patent Public Advisory CommitteeDecember 9, 2022

McKee, Voorhees & Sease is very excited to announce that Heidi S. Nebel, Managing Partner and Chair of the MVS Chemical and Biotechnology Practice Group, has been named Vice Chair of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Patent Public Advisory Committee (PPAC).

The PPAC was created by statute in the American Inventors Protection Act of 1999 to advise the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO on the management of the patent operations. The PPAC has an important role in reviewing the policies, goals, performance, budget, and user fees of the patents operations and advises the Director of the USPTO on these matters. Heidi was first named to the PPAC in 2021 by Commerce Secretary Gina M. Raimondo. In designating her for this leadership position, Secretary Raimondo stated that “her service as Vice Chair of the PPAC will enhance the USPTO in its dedicated mission to provide the highest quality of service to those who use the patent system and to protect the intellectual property of patent owners.”

“I am honored to be chosen for this prestigious position on USPTO’s PPAC,” stated Heidi. “The committee’s work related to patent operations is vital to all those who use the nation’s patent system, and I look forward to serving as its Vice Chair over the next year.”

Heidi is an Intellectual Property attorney with over 30 years of experience obtaining patents and designing IP strategy in the areas of biotechnology, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. She serves as an advocate for her clients and believes that the best results come from working in close association with the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office examiners. Her clients include over 40 universities and research institutions, as well as fortune 500 companies around the world. Heidi is actively involved in AUTM where she was elected to the Board of Directors in 2019. AUTM is the non-profit leader in efforts to educate, promote and inspire professionals in support of the development of academic research and technology transfer. Heidi is also serving a third term on the Plant Variety Protection (PVP) Advisory Board as she was re-appointed by the United States Secretary of Agriculture. The USDA PVP Advisory Board helps shape the country’s intellectual property for plants through the Plant Variety Protection Act. In addition to being Managing Partner, Heidi serves on the firm’s management committee.

The USPTO also issued a press release announcing Heidi’s and other PPAC appointments.