Former Shook Partner Named to USPTO Leadership Team

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has selected former Shook Partner Sharon Israel as its chief policy officer and director for international affairs.

Israel joined Shook in 2018 and served clients with IP law matters including patent litigation from the firm’s Houston office. A graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Emory University, Israel served in many leadership roles including president of the American Intellectual Property Law Association and chair of the State Bar of Texas Intellectual Property Law Section.

“I look forward to working with Sharon and her team on important initiatives to strengthen America’s competitiveness on the global stage through robust IP policies and laws, and the protection of U.S. businesses’ IP interests abroad,” said Kathi Vidal, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO.

Israel's new role becomes effective January 8, 2024.