Washington, D.C. December 4, 2001 --- Venable is pleased to announce that partner and former U.S. Representative James E. Rogan was confirmed by the United States Senate as Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, an agency of the Department of Commerce.
Former Rep. Rogan, a two-term Republican congressman from California, joined Venable's growing legislative practice earlier this year.
"It is with mixed emotions that we say good-bye to Jim," said Venable managing partner James Shea. "This position is an excellent use of his talents and a logical next step for one of our nation's rising political stars."
During his tenure in Congress from 1997 to 2001, Mr. Rogan served as Assistant Majority Whip and was a member of the House Commerce and House Judiciary Committees. He was also a member of the Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property. Mr. Rogan left his mark on these committees for his leadership on both the protection of intellectual property and the modernization of intellectual property laws to protect America's economic interests.
Mike Kirk, Executive Director of the AIPLA, said: "Jim Rogan brings the perfect blend of experience and talent to one of the most difficult jobs in government. I can think of no one better suited to the challenges which the intellectual property systems face."
Before being elected to Congress in 1996, Mr. Rogan served as the Majority Leader of the California State Assembly. He also was a Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney specializing in gang murder cases, and was the presiding judge of the Glendale Municipal Court in Los Angeles County. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley and UCLA School of Law.
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