Federal Court Partially Blocks Executive Order Targeting WilmerHale: USPTO Acting Director Among Named Defendants
Briefly

In a pivotal ruling, Judge Richard J. Leon issued a partial temporary restraining order against President Trump's executive order impacting WilmerHale, a prominent law firm. The order threatened to obstruct the firm's representation of clients before the USPTO by limiting access and communications with government employees. Judge Leon's decision underscores the likely violation of First Amendment rights, particularly expressing concerns about the retaliatory effects on legal advocacy within patent law practices. This ruling invites broader discussions about the intersection of government actions and legal representation.
Judge Leon noted that 'the retaliatory nature of the Executive Order at issue here is clear from its face.' This decision emphasizes First Amendment rights.
The executive order threatened to impair WilmerHale's ability to represent clients effectively before the USPTO, raising significant concerns in patent practice.
Read at Patently-O
[
|
]