Brian Hanlon

Brian E. Hanlon is the Director of the Office of Patent Legal Administration (OPLA) at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Prior to taking his current position, Mr. Hanlon served as the acting Chief of Staff for Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, David J. Kappos, and served as the Director of Strategic Planning and Management Council for Under Secretary and Director Jon W. Dudas and acting Under Secretary and Director John J. Doll. Prior to his work in the Under Secretary’s Office, Mr. Hanlon was the Deputy Director of OPLA. Mr. Hanlon was also a shareholder at the law firm of Banner & Witcoff, Ltd. where his practice focused on patent prosecution and client counseling on issues relating to both procurement and enforcement of utility and design patents. Mr. Hanlon began his career as a patent examiner at the USPTO in former Group 3300, now TC 3700. He received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with Honors from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and a J.D., Magna Cum Laude, from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. Mr. Hanlon is a member of the Bars of Maryland, the District of Columbia, and the United States Supreme Court.