Raymond T. Chen

Raymond T. Chen is an American jurist who has served as a circuit judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit since 2013. Appointed by President Barack Obama, Chen brings to the bench extensive experience in intellectual‑property law, having worked as a patent litigator, a staff attorney for the Federal Circuit, and a senior official within the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). His career reflects a blend of technical training in electrical engineering and legal expertise in patent prosecution and appellate advocacy.

Early life and legal career

Raymond Tsong‑he Chen was born in 1968 in New York City to parents who had immigrated from Taiwan. He grew up in Huntington Beach, California, where he completed his secondary education at Edison High School in 1986. Both of Chen’s parents held doctoral degrees; his father, Paul Chen, practiced as a senior chemical engineer for an engineering firm in Irvine, while his mother, Pei‑ching Chen, worked as a software engineer for the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. On his maternal side, his grandfather Tsuin‑chen Ou had served as vice minister of education in Taiwan and was affiliated with the Kuomintang political party.

Following high school, Chen earned a scholarship from United Technologies that enabled him to attend the University of California, Los Angeles. He graduated in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering, an achievement recognized by his election to the honor societies Tau Beta Pi and Eta Kappa Nu. After receiving his undergraduate degree, he spent two years (1989‑1991) employed as a scientist for the law firm then known as Hecker & Harriman, which later became Hecker Law Group.

Chen pursued legal studies at New York University School of Law, obtaining his Juris Doctor in 1994. Upon admission to the State Bar of California that same year, he joined the intellectual‑property boutique Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear in Irvine. At that firm he engaged in patent prosecution and represented clients in a variety of IP litigation matters, gaining practical experience at the intersection of technology and law.

In 1996 Chen entered public service as a technical assistant to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, performing duties comparable to those of a staff attorney. This role provided him with direct exposure to appellate review of patent cases and other specialized federal claims. After two years in that capacity, he transitioned to the USPTO, where he served from 1998 until his judicial appointment in 2013. Beginning as an assistant solicitor, Chen advanced through the agency’s legal ranks and was promoted to Solicitor in 2008. In this senior position he represented the USPTO before the Federal Circuit, personally arguing twenty cases that included notable matters such as *In re Bilski*, *In re Nuijten*, and *In re Comiskey*. His responsibilities also encompassed issuing guidance to patent examiners, advising agency leadership on legal and policy issues, and contributing to the development of regulatory frameworks governing patents and trademarks.

Chen’s professional involvement extended beyond his official duties. He co‑chaired the Patent and Trademark Office Committee of the Federal Circuit Bar Association, a body that facilitates dialogue between the judiciary and practitioners in the field of intellectual property. Additionally, he served as a member of the Advisory Council for the Federal Circuit, offering input on procedural and substantive matters affecting the court’s docket.

Federal appellate service

President Barack Obama nominated Chen to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on February 7 2013, selecting him to fill the vacancy created when Judge Richard Linn assumed senior status on October 31 2012. The nomination proceeded through the Senate Judiciary Committee, which reported it favorably by voice vote on May 16 2013. The full United States Senate confirmed Chen’s appointment on August 1 2013 with a unanimous 97‑to‑0 vote. He received his judicial commission the following day and formally entered office on August 5 2013.

Chen’s confirmation marked him as the second Asian American to serve on the Federal Circuit, following the earlier tenure of Judge Shiro Kashiwa (1982–1986). His appointment added a perspective shaped by both technical engineering training and extensive experience in patent law administration. As an active circuit judge, Chen participates in panels that adjudicate appeals arising from federal district courts across the nation, with particular emphasis on cases involving patents, trademarks, government contracts, and other specialized areas of federal jurisdiction.

Jurisprudence and legacy

Since joining the Federal Circuit bench, Judge Chen has contributed to the development of patent jurisprudence through opinions that reflect his background in both engineering and legal practice. While specific case holdings are not enumerated here, his participation in panels dealing with complex technical subject matter underscores the court’s reliance on judges who can navigate intricate scientific concepts alongside statutory interpretation.

Chen’s earlier role as Solicitor for the USPTO informs his approach to issues of patent eligibility, claim construction, and procedural fairness. By having argued before the same appellate body that he now serves, he possesses an insider’s understanding of the standards applied by the court and the practical implications of its rulings for inventors, corporations, and governmental agencies.

Beyond his judicial duties, Chen remains engaged with legal education and professional organizations. As of 2024, he sits on the board of trustees of New York University School of Law, contributing to governance and strategic planning for the institution that awarded him his law degree. His involvement with the Federal Circuit Bar Association’s Patent and Trademark Office Committee continues to foster collaboration between the judiciary and practitioners.

Judge Chen’s career trajectory—from a technical scientist to a leading figure in federal appellate jurisprudence—exemplifies the interdisciplinary expertise valued by the Federal Circuit. His service reflects an ongoing commitment to the consistent application of patent law, the refinement of procedural rules governing intellectual‑property disputes, and the mentorship of future legal professionals through his academic affiliations.