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David Gearhart
Godley,TX
Summary
Accomplished trademark attorney with 10+ years experience and deep legal expertise in USPTO practice and procedures for trademark clearance and prosecution. Noted for attention to detail and achieving highest quality standards. Record of innovation to bring efficiency to work processes. Excels in a self-starting, independent work environment and collaborates effectively in a team environment.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Staff Attorney - Trademarks
USPTO
06.2019 - Current
- Subject matter expert conducting legal research and conferring with colleagues to develop strategies and standards for legal review of trademark applications.
- Performing in-depth quality review of examining attorney Office actions (2,100+ to date) for conformity with Office-established standards and guidelines and issuing written findings highlighting outstanding work and recommending corrective action for deficient work.
- Making soundness and quality determinations regarding examining attorney substantive and procedural decisions, handling of legal issues, writing, and evidence based on review of Office actions.
- Developing and implementing initiatives to improve quality, including using available electronic tools to optimize productivity and minimize cycle time for quality review.
- Performing quality review of all files appearing in the weekly Official Gazette publication (avg. 9,000+/week) and creating a query report for distribution to team of paralegals.
- Managing training efforts, coordinating and conducting training sessions, and supervising trainees and trainee performance.
- Creating, reviewing, and critiquing handouts, memos, guides, notes and other written materials for distribution to throughout the Office regarding substantive and procedural examination issues to ensure consistency of action throughout the Trademark Office.
Trademark Examining Attorney
USPTO
03.2014 - 06.2019
- Examined over 5,000 new trademark applications for legal compliance with relevant statutory authority.
- Drafted office actions discussing the legal issues in trademark applications and provided legal analysis of those issues.
- Communicated directly with the public mark owners and attorneys via teleconference and via email to resolve complex legal issues in the trademark applications.
- Reviewed responses from applicants and attorneys to determine if legal issues had been resolved and issued final agency decisions on the registrability of marks.
- Reviewed and approved trademarks applications for publication for opposition.
- Served as a mentor, providing training and work-product review for new hires.
Law Clerk
Garlitz Bell LLP
04.2012 - 02.2014
- Worked on copyright, trademark, and trade secret matters.
- Conducted discovery on commercial and intellectual property litigation.
- Prepared documents for commercial litigation
- Developed strategies to resolve cases in clients' best interests.
General Counsel Extern
Southwest Airlines Co.
08.2011 - 12.2011
- Researched, analyzed, and made recommendations for International Trademarks Project.
- Worked on Intellectual Property/Trade Secrets Projects.
Legal Research Intern
American Bar Association
06.2011 - 08.2011
- Worked with the United Nations Development Program producing research reports
English Instructor
Chungdahm Institute
06.2008 - 12.2009
- Instructed classes of up to 30 students, ages ranging from 8-17 years old
Education
J.D. -
Texas A&M School of Law (formerly Texas Wesleyan)
Ft. Worth, TX05.2013
B.A. - Political Science
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, VA01.2008
Skills
- Trademark law expertise
- Legal writing
- Verbal communication
- Detail oriented
- Multitasking abilities
- Analytical thinking
- Supervision and leadership
- Public speaking
Affiliations
- Member, Texas State Bar
- Member, Mensa
- Member, Fort Worth Audubon Society
Community Service
- Habitat for Humanity, Fort Worth, TX, Volunteer Builder, 2012, 2016-Present
Awards
- USPTO Bronze Medal Award recipient for distinguished excellence
- Outstanding (highest) rating in all categories in all annual reviews
- ACE III quality award in all eligible rating periods
Interests
Timeline
Senior Staff Attorney - Trademarks
USPTO
06.2019 - Current
Trademark Examining Attorney
USPTO
03.2014 - 06.2019
Law Clerk
Garlitz Bell LLP
04.2012 - 02.2014
General Counsel Extern
Southwest Airlines Co.
08.2011 - 12.2011
Legal Research Intern
American Bar Association
06.2011 - 08.2011
English Instructor
Chungdahm Institute
06.2008 - 12.2009
J.D. -
Texas A&M School of Law (formerly Texas Wesleyan)
B.A. - Political Science
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
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