Episode 20: Paul Michel

Non Obvious with Hugh Hansen

In this episode of the podcast, Hugh sits down with Paul Michel, retired Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Paul is now a consultant spending most of his time on patent policy. Specifically, advocating for revising patent law to improve clarity, predictability and making patents more reliable and enforceable when valid. Special concerns include eligibility, PTAB, injunctions, claim construction, obviousness and damages. Hugh and Paul’s conversation covers: ● Paul’s extensive legal experience ranging from working on the Watergate investigations to supervising the FBI. ● The importance of law students developing legal writing skills and analytical skills outside the classroom. ● The role and responsibilities of the Chief Judge in a circuit court. ● How courts can easily lose sight of the practical consequences of what they decide and write. ● The disconnect between Congress and IP courts. ● For lawyers, the importance of real-world facts and data when writing amicus briefs. ● The chaos that was and is caused by the Supreme Court’s decision in Mayo Collaborative Services v. Prometheus Laboratories, Inc..