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§ 1.613 Lead attorney, same attorney representing different parties in an interference, withdrawal of attorney or agent. - PATENT RULES
§ 1.613 Lead attorney, same attorney representing different parties in an interference, withdrawal of attorney or agent.
(a) Each party may be required to designate one attorney or agent of record as the lead attorney or agent.
(b) The same attorney or agent or members of the same firm of attorneys or agents may not represent two or more parties in an interference except as may be permitted under this chapter.
(c) An administrative patent judge may make necessary inquiry to determine whether an attorney or agent should be disqualified from representing a party in an interference. If an administrative patent judge is of the opinion that an attorney or agent should be disqualified, the administrative patent judge shall refer the matter to the Director. The Director will make a final decision as to whether any attorney or agent should be disqualified.
(d) No attorney or agent of record in an interference may withdraw as attorney or agent of record except with the approval of an administrative patent judge and after reasonable notice to the party on whose behalf the attorney or agent has appeared. A request to withdraw as attorney or agent of record in an interference shall be made by motion (§ 1.635).
[49 FR 48416, Dec. 12, 1984, added effective Feb. 11, 1985; paras. (c) & (d) revised, 60 FR 14488, Mar. 17, 1995, effective Apr. 21, 1995; para. (c) revised, 68 FR 14332, Mar. 25, 2003, effective May 1, 2003]
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