Squires considers expanded role as USPTO faces employee unrest
By Nick Robertson ( May 13, 2026, 18:08 GMT | Insight) -- US Patent and Trademark Office Director John Squires told supervisory patent examiners in a private meeting that he will consider directly taking over day-to-day operations of the office following concerns from employees about low morale and ineffective programs, MLex has learned. Squires also suspended a requirement for supervisory examiners to review every first office action, questioning its necessity. “Gut-feel has no place in managing our agency,” he said.US Patent and Trademark Office Director John Squires is weighing whether to take on a more engaged role overseeing the day-to-day operations of the office following recent concerns from employees about low morale and inefficient policy initiatives, MLex has learned, in what could be a turning point for Squires eight months into his leadership....
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