Former Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Sharon R Barner has rejoined Foley & Lardner’s intellectual property practice. During her tenure at the USPTO, Barner drove the creation of the “2010-2015 USPTO Strategic Plan,” which is designed to strengthen the capacity of the USPTO, shorten the time it takes to grant a patent, improve quality and, for the first time, includes development of a National Intellectual Property Strategy. She was also integral in the creation of the USPTO’s first regional office, which is located in Detroit. She is based in the firm’s Chicago office.