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On Tuesday, August 13, 2024, the legal community in Minneapolis was treated to an exclusive "fireside chat" with the Honorable Jimmie V. Reyna of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The event was hosted by the Hon. Jimmie V. Reyna Intellectual Property American Inn of Court at Robins Kaplan LLP's offices. The gathering was made possible through the sponsorship of the IP Committee of the Minnesota Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, the Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association, and the Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association.The evening began with introductions by the Honorable Hildy Bowbeer, president of the Reyna Inn of Court, and Kelvin Collado, President of the Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association. Judge Reyna shared a wealth of personal experiences and professional insights. He spoke about his journey to becoming a lawyer, crediting his avid reading habit as a key influence. The judge recounted his early career in New Mexico as a trial lawyer and solo practitioner, and then his move to the Washington, D.C. area, where he became one of the nation's most respected international trade lawyers. Throughout, he highlighted the diverse range of cases he handled throughout his career and the importance of that broad background in equipping him for the work he now does on the Federal Circuit bench.

Judge Reyna's conversation spanned a wide array of topics, offering attendees a candid view of his life on and off the bench. He discussed the concept of "multifaceted law" and provided perspective from his judicial role. Judge Reyna shared insights into the career progression that ultimately led to his appointment as a circuit judge. His discussion ranged from his preparation for the Senate confirmation hearings to his appreciation for the collegiality among his Federal Circuit colleagues to anticipated growth areas for patent lawyers, particularly in relation to AI.

Judge Reyna encouraged attorneys to engage in pro bono work, stressing that while lawyers may have specialties, they should not to be discouraged from taking on pro bono opportunities outside their specific areas of expertise. He noted that this diversity of experience not only benefits society but also makes for better, more well-rounded lawyers.

The judge also touched on the critical role of mentorship in the legal profession and highlighted lawyers' responsibility to educate society about the law, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond the courtroom.

In a lighter moment, Judge Reyna shared some surprising personal facts, including his prowess as a middle school pole vaulter and his boyhood preference for portraying a Viking when his friends were dressing up in more customary childhood battle roles - a detail that particularly delighted the Minnesota audience, given their beloved Vikings football team.