Before joining the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, Randall Rader and Sharon Prost worked as counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee. On the bench Rader’s straight-talking, maverick style called to mind Sen. John McCain. Rader used the chief judgeship as a bully pulpit to advocate for IP law around the globe. Prost, who succeeded Rader as chief judge in June, might be compared to former Sen. Olympia Snowe. While gregarious and outgoing, she’s expected to do more behind the scenes, building consensus and seeking common ground.
For a Federal Circuit that’s been finding it difficult to speak with a unified voice, or stay in step with the U.S. Supreme Court, Prost’s style may be just what’s needed, say lawyers and academics familiar with her work. “She’s right in the center of the court” on patent issues, former Chief Judge Paul Michel said. “I think she’ll be able to convince colleagues to talk with one another and negotiate decisions that are more uniform than in some cases in recent years.”
