Consensus-Building Judge Taking the Reins at Federal Circuit

Incoming Federal Circuit Chief Judge Kimberly Moore is known for fostering relationships among clerks and judges, a style that could help bring together a court split over knotty legal issues.

“In cases of great importance to the court she’s able to use those relationships to build consensus. As chief she will have the opportunity to try to drive more consensus in the court,” said former clerk Melissa Brand, who is now assistant general counsel and director for intellectual property policy at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization.

Several thorny patent law issues have led to conflicting rulings among the Federal Circuit judges, ...