Section 1071 of the Lanham Act provides parties two options for appealing adverse ex parte decisions from the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). The dissatisfied party may either appeal to the Federal Circuit under Section 1071(a) or to any U.S. district court under Section 1071(b). 15 U.S.C. §1071(a)-(b). Although pursuit of an appeal to the Federal Circuit may under some circumstances prove to be quicker and less expensive, appeals to district courts are becoming increasingly attractive given recent changes in the law and USPTO practice in defending these actions. Based on the authors' recent experience in several such appeals, they can share the following lessons learned.