Kathi Vidal

In the vibrant and ever-evolving landscape of Washington, D.C., where innovation and policy intersect, legal expertise in specialized fields is paramount. For individuals and businesses navigating the complex world of intellectual property, artificial intelligence, and cutting-edge technologies, finding a lawyer with deep technical understanding and extensive litigation experience is crucial. Kathi Vidal, a distinguished attorney and former Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), stands as a preeminent figure in these fields, now a key partner at Winston & Strawn's Washington, D.C. office. This article aims to provide a clear, engaging, and informative overview of Kathi Vidal's practice, highlighting her unparalleled expertise and how her return to private practice benefits the local D.C. community.

Kathi Vidal brings a unique blend of engineering background, extensive private practice experience, and recent high-level government leadership to her current role. Her profound understanding of intellectual property (IP) law, particularly patents, coupled with her insights into the rapidly advancing realm of artificial intelligence, positions her as a leading advocate for innovators and businesses. For residents and enterprises in the District of Columbia, understanding the caliber of legal talent available locally, especially in highly specialized and impactful areas of law, is incredibly valuable. Kathi Vidal's presence in D.C. signifies access to world-class legal counsel for complex IP and technology matters.

Location and Accessibility

Kathi Vidal is a partner at Winston & Strawn, which maintains a prominent office at 1901 L St NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA. This address places her at the heart of downtown Washington, D.C., within the bustling business and legal district. The location is strategically advantageous for clients throughout the District of Columbia and the wider metropolitan area due to its excellent accessibility.

For those utilizing public transportation, the office is conveniently located within walking distance of several Metro stations, including Farragut North (Red Line) and Farragut West (Orange, Blue, and Silver Lines). These stations provide comprehensive connectivity across the city, making it straightforward for clients from various neighborhoods to reach the firm. Numerous bus routes also service the immediate vicinity. For clients who prefer to drive, the area around 1901 L St NW offers a selection of commercial parking garages, though it is always advisable to plan ahead for parking in a busy urban environment like D.C. The central and well-connected nature of this location ensures that clients can easily access the top-tier legal services offered by Kathi Vidal and Winston & Strawn.

Services Offered

Kathi Vidal's legal practice at Winston & Strawn focuses primarily on intellectual property litigation and advisory services, with a significant emphasis on emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence. Her unparalleled background as a former engineer and her recent leadership role at the USPTO provide her with a distinct advantage in handling the most intricate and high-stakes IP disputes. Her services include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Patent Litigation: Representing both plaintiffs and defendants in complex patent infringement cases across U.S. federal district and appellate courts, including the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. This involves high-stakes disputes related to a wide array of technologies, from semiconductors and healthcare devices to financial services and AI systems.
• Intellectual Property Strategy and Counseling: Advising clients, from startups to Fortune 10 companies, on comprehensive IP strategies, including patent prosecution, portfolio management, licensing, and due diligence for transactional matters.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emerging Technologies: Providing legal guidance at the intersection of technology, law, and policy, specifically concerning AI, next-generation semiconductors, and other critical and emerging technologies. This includes navigating evolving legal frameworks and ensuring clients maintain a leading edge.
• International Trade Commission (ITC) Investigations: Representing clients in investigations before the ITC, which handles disputes related to unfair import practices, often involving patent and trademark infringement.
• USPTO and Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Practice: Expertise in practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, including post-grant proceedings before the PTAB, such as inter partes reviews (IPRs) and post-grant reviews (PGRs).
• Copyright Law: Offering counsel and litigation support for matters related to copyrights.
• Trade Secrets: Advising on the protection and enforcement of trade secrets.
• Appellate Advocacy: Strong experience arguing numerous Federal Circuit appeals and leading amicus efforts on important cases before the Federal Circuit and the Supreme Court.
• Policy and Regulatory Guidance: Leveraging her experience as the former Under Secretary of Commerce for IP and Director of the USPTO to advise clients on critical U.S. policy relating to AI, innovation, technological standards, and international agreements.

Features / Highlights

Kathi Vidal's professional career is marked by numerous impressive achievements and distinguishing features that make her a standout legal professional:

• Former Director of USPTO: She served as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office from 2022 to 2024, leading an agency with over 14,000 employees and a $4.2 billion budget. This experience provides an unparalleled insider's perspective on patent and trademark policy and operations.
• Engineering Background: With bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering, and prior experience as an engineer at General Electric and Lockheed Martin (where she designed one of the first AI systems for aircraft), Ms. Vidal possesses a deep technical understanding that is invaluable in complex IP cases.
• Highly Recognized: Kathi Vidal is internationally recognized as one of the most influential people in IP and AI. She has been named one of the "Top 50 Women in AI," recognized by TechCrunch as one of the "remarkable women who've contributed to the AI revolution," and listed among Forbes' "Top 50 Women in Innovation." She is also a ChIPs Hall of Fame recipient.
• Extensive Litigation Experience: For over two decades, prior to her USPTO role, she first-chaired, led, and consulted on litigations across a wide array of venues, including U.S. federal district courts (including all California and key Texas districts), the ITC, and the USPTO. She has a strong track record of securing favorable outcomes for clients, including injunctions, attorney fee awards, and patent invalidations.
• Leadership at Major Law Firms: Before her government service, she was the Managing Partner of Winston & Strawn's Silicon Valley Office and previously chaired the litigation group of 270 attorneys across 11 global offices at Fish & Richardson P.C., showcasing significant leadership capabilities.
• Advocate for Diversity and Inclusion: Ms. Vidal has actively championed efforts to improve diversity in law firms and within the innovation ecosystem, creating initiatives like the "Next Gen Lawyers" program and expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups.
• Prolific Speaker and Thought Leader: She is a frequent speaker on IP and technology law, sharing her expertise at various conferences and forums. Her insights on AI policy, patentability of AI-assisted inventions, and standard-essential patents are highly sought after.

Promotions or Special Offers

As a leading partner at a prestigious global law firm, Kathi Vidal and Winston & Strawn do not typically offer "promotions" or "special offers" in the consumer sense. Instead, their value proposition is based on the unparalleled expertise, strategic insight, and proven track record they bring to complex legal challenges. Clients engage Winston & Strawn for their ability to navigate highly intricate intellectual property and technology law matters, often involving significant financial stakes and cutting-edge innovations. Prospective clients interested in her services are encouraged to reach out for a consultation, during which the firm can discuss their specific legal needs, outline potential strategies, and clarify their fee structure. This direct engagement allows clients to understand the immense value and expertise Kathi Vidal provides.

Contact Information

For those in the District of Columbia seeking legal counsel from Kathi Vidal and Winston & Strawn, the following contact details are provided:

• Address: 1901 L St NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA
• Phone: (202) 282-5099
• Mobile Phone: +1 202-282-5099

Connecting by phone is the most direct way to schedule an initial consultation and begin the process of addressing your intellectual property and technology law needs. The firm's professional staff can assist with inquiries and guide you on the next steps.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For businesses, innovators, and individuals in the District of Columbia, Kathi Vidal at Winston & Strawn represents an exceptionally suitable and critical legal resource, particularly for matters pertaining to intellectual property, patents, and the rapidly expanding field of artificial intelligence. Her presence in D.C. means that local clients have direct access to one of the world's foremost experts in these complex areas of law.

The firm's convenient downtown D.C. location ensures that clients can easily access her services. More importantly, her unique background—combining a deep engineering foundation with extensive experience as a top-tier IP litigator and her recent leadership role at the USPTO—provides an unparalleled perspective on both the technical and legal intricacies of intellectual property. For D.C., a hub of innovation, government, and technology, this specialized expertise is invaluable. Whether you are a local tech startup looking to protect your groundbreaking AI invention, an established company facing a complex patent dispute, or an individual navigating the evolving landscape of digital intellectual property, Kathi Vidal's strategic insight and proven advocacy can provide the robust representation needed. Her ability to navigate the intersection of technology, law, and policy makes her an ideal choice for the D.C. community, ensuring that local innovators and businesses have a leading edge in protecting their most valuable assets.