Tracy Druce, a co-executive partner in Houston firm Novak Druce Connolly Bove + Quigg, asked to be removed from the list of registered practitioners before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, but he will have to jump through hoops if he seeks reinstatement as a result of a settlement in a USPTO disciplinary action that was filed over allegations he failed to adequately supervise an assistant.
According to a final order in In the Matter of Tracy W. Druce, if Druce seeks reinstatement, he would be suspended for two years from practice before the office in patent, trademark and non-patent matters. However, the order also states the suspension would be stayed once Druce seeks reinstatement, and he would serve a two-year period of probation instead.
