CAFC Shock: Judge Randall Rader Announces Retirement

Judge Randall Rader

UPDATED: 5:52 pm ET

In what can really only be characterized as a stunning development, earlier today Judge Randall Rader of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit announced that he is retiring effective June 30, 2014. This announcement comes only weeks after he stepped down as Chief Judge.

On May 23, 2014, then Chief Judge Rader announced that he would step down as Chief Judge of the Federal Circuit on May 30, 2014. At that time Rader also said that he would continue in active service on the Court, although the official announcement said that he will also undertake additional teaching, lecturing and travel. Given Rader’s statement that he would remain on the Court just weeks ago the announcement today is shocking. It is too early to know exactly why Judge Rader has made this decision, as news is just breaking, but the speed with which Rader has gone from Chief Judge, to Circuit Judge to private citizen is staggering.

Many news outlets immediately started speculating that Rader’s decision to step down as Chief Judge had to do with a letter endorsing attorney Edward Reines, a patent lawyer at Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP and president of the Federal Circuit Advisory Council. This speculation was no doubt fostered by the fact that the announcement of Rader stepping down as Chief Judge came on the same day that he sent a letter to all of the other Judges on the Federal Circuit apologizing for his lapse in judgment and for the recent need to recuse himself. Given the timing his announcement he would step down as Chief Judge and his apology letter it is easy to understand why many speculated that the two are connected, although no official pronouncements that I am aware of have connected the two.

This surprise abdication of the Chief Judge position by Judge Rader, who turned 65 on April 29, 2014, meant that Judge Sharon Prost become the next Chief Judge of the Federal Circuit. Had Judge Rader served his entire term as Chief Judge succession rules would have meant that the title of Chief Judge would pass Judge Prost and go on to Judge Moore, who remains next in line after Judge Prost.

It is hard to know exactly what is going on with respect to Judge Rader. Over the years I have gotten to know him a bit, seeing him at virtually ever industry event held. He has been a strong defender of the patent system, a champion for innovators and he will be most definitely missed when he leaves the Court.

Given the sudden retirement announcement, and given the anti-patent climate in the media, it seems likely that we will see further speculation in the popular press about why Judge Rader decided to retire.

With an event like this, which is a real head scratcher and could be explained in many different ways, I will not speculate, although I do certainly wish Judge Rader well.

As more information becomes available I will report. Stay tuned!

For my previous take on issues surrounding Judge Rader stepping down as Chief Judge please see:

Gene Quinn Gene Quinn is a patent attorney and a leading commentator on patent law and innovation policy. Mr. Quinn has twice been named one of the top 50 most influential people [...see more]

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Join the Discussion

11 comments so far.

EG
June 15, 2014 12:59 pm
With Rader stepping down completely, there aren’t that left (Judge Newman being the prominent example, and possibly O’Malley and Moore) willing to buck Our Judicial Mount Olympus, as well as the other Federal Circuit judges when they don’t “toe the line” on the patent statutes. With Newman , there is at least a “conscious” sitting on the Federal Circuit. Once the Grand Dame steps down, we may have none at al.
Anon
June 14, 2014 07:58 pm
Correct Joachim – I was thinking of impetus with an animated and zealous drive – as in, a belief that animates and brings alive. Apologies for any inadvertent confusion.
Joachim Martillo
June 14, 2014 06:20 pm
Probably impetus and not animus was meant above.
Gene Quinn
June 14, 2014 05:35 pm
Thanks Joff. Nice job getting the story out. Whatever the reason Judge Rader will definitely be missed at the CAFC. It will be difficult to fill his shoes.

-Gene
Anon
June 14, 2014 02:22 pm
Very glad to see the animus was self-fulfillment.
Joff Wild
June 14, 2014 02:04 pm
Hi Gene,

Judge Rader has explained his decision to stand down from the CAFC and his plans for what comes next:

http://www.iam-magazine.com/Blog/Detail.aspx?g=13afca2b-16be-437b-8e1f-de1a639dcadc.

Best wishes,

Joff
Joachim Martillo
June 14, 2014 01:14 pm
Probably he got a better job offer elsewhere either with a big law firm or with a lobby group.
jeff
June 13, 2014 11:24 pm
What will happen to those cases that Judge Rader sat for orals, but have not had decisions released?
Steve
June 13, 2014 08:08 pm
A sad — and bad — day for those who care about protectable innovation.

One less voice of reason where it really counts … to be replaced by … what/whom?

Given the current administration’s (and Congress’) attacks on one of the bedrocks of our world-leading economy, this is bad news indeed.
Anon
June 13, 2014 06:19 pm
Perhaps I have become a bit too jaded, but my first thought was that he was leaked a pre-release copy of the upcoming Alice decision and decided to remove himself from official position as a pre-cursor to a blistering attack on the Court.

I want to hope for a thoughtful and fully reasoned opinion from the Court regarding the Alice case. I really do want to hold on to that hope.

My second thought is health – having dear friends suddenly faced with disastrous health developments, I can personally attest that such can put things into a different perspective – and quickly too. I hope that this is not the case.

In any event, thank you Judge Rader for your service.
Paul Cole
June 13, 2014 06:05 pm
All that can be said is very best wishes.