Congratulations to Sharon Barner, a Chicagoan and the head of Foley & Lardner’s IP practice.  Barner has been nominated to become the next Deputy Director of the Patent & Trademark Office.  Based upon reputation and my limited contact with Barner, including among others speaking on a panel at Northwestern with her, the administration made an excellent choice.  For more on the nomination, check out Patently-O and Chicago Law.