It's still not certain whether U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Director Michelle Lee will continue in her role. Just as the USPTO confirmed she was, in fact, the director in a March 10 letter, reports surfaced that U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross is interviewing candidates to replace Lee.

Given the influence she has in shaping patent and trademark policies, in-house lawyers have a lot at stake—and a lot to say—on the subject.

In an April 25 letter, for instance, more than 50 companies, trade associations and advocacy groups—including Google Inc., Facebook Inc. and Intel Corp.—added their voices to the discussion, urging President Donald Trump to keep Lee, who was appointed in January 2014 by former President Barack Obama. But there are also those who are ready for a change.