{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/54.1-3901.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/54.1-3901.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/54.1-3901.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/54.1-3901.html"}],"law_id":87148,"edition_id":1,"section_id":87148,"structure_id":15490,"section_number":"54.1-3901","catch_line":"Practice of patent law","history":"1962, c. 389, \u00a7 54-42.1; 1968, c. 10; 1974, c. 597; 1981, c. 103; 1982, c. 633; 1988, c. 765; 2000, c. 355.","full_text":"A\n\nFor the purposes of this section “an attorney recognized to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office in patent cases” is defined as anyone who is authorized to practice law in any state or territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and who is also entitled under the rules of that Office to represent another in patent cases. The “practice of patent law” is defined as the performance of all necessary professional services with respect to patent matters concerning which being recognized to practice before that Office for the performance of such services is required and includes legal services related to or connected with the practice of patent law.B\n\nAny attorney who is admitted as an active member of the Virginia State Bar, limited to patent, trademark, copyright and unfair competition cases only, as of July 1, 2000, may continue such active membership subject to compliance with minimum requirements of Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia.C\n\nThis section shall not authorize a person recognized to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office in patent cases to appear in any court or tribunal other than the tribunals of that Office, unless the person is an active member of the Virginia State Bar, generally or an active member of the Virginia State Bar limited to patent, trademark, copyright and unfair competition cases only as of July 1, 2000. This section shall not be construed to limit the admission to practice law as an active member of the Virginia State Bar generally of any person otherwise qualified for general admission.D\n\nNo attorney who is not an active member of the Virginia State Bar, whether or not authorized to practice before that Office in patent cases, shall be deemed to be admitted to practice patent law within the meaning of subdivision B 1 of § 54.1-3902 or duly licensed or otherwise legally authorized to practice law within the meaning of § 13.1-544.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":312066,"text":"For the purposes of this section “an attorney recognized to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office in patent cases” is defined as anyone who is authorized to practice law in any state or territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and who is also entitled under the rules of that Office to represent another in patent cases. The “practice of patent law” is defined as the performance of all necessary professional services with respect to patent matters concerning which being recognized to practice before that Office for the performance of such services is required and includes legal services related to or connected with the practice of patent law.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":312067,"text":"Any attorney who is admitted as an active member of the Virginia State Bar, limited to patent, trademark, copyright and unfair competition cases only, as of July 1, 2000, may continue such active membership subject to compliance with minimum requirements of Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":312068,"text":"This section shall not authorize a person recognized to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office in patent cases to appear in any court or tribunal other than the tribunals of that Office, unless the person is an active member of the Virginia State Bar, generally or an active member of the Virginia State Bar limited to patent, trademark, copyright and unfair competition cases only as of July 1, 2000. This section shall not be construed to limit the admission to practice law as an active member of the Virginia State Bar generally of any person otherwise qualified for general admission.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":312069,"text":"No attorney who is not an active member of the Virginia State Bar, whether or not authorized to practice before that Office in patent cases, shall be deemed to be admitted to practice patent law within the meaning of subdivision B 1 of § 54.1-3902 or duly licensed or otherwise legally authorized to practice law within the meaning of § 13.1-544.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15490,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13488,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:55:29","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:55:29","permalink":{"id":244229,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15490,"identifier":"1","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1","url":"\/54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13488,"edition_id":1,"name":"Attorneys","identifier":"39","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13487,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:01","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:01","permalink":{"id":244227,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13488,"identifier":"39","token":"54.1\/IV\/39","url":"\/54.1\/IV\/39\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13487,"edition_id":1,"name":"Professions Regulated by the Supreme Court","identifier":"IV","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12754,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:01","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:01","permalink":{"id":244225,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13487,"identifier":"IV","token":"54.1\/IV","url":"\/54.1\/IV\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12754,"edition_id":1,"name":"Professions and Occupations","identifier":"54.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":239313,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12754,"identifier":"54.1","token":"54.1","url":"\/54.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":73725,"structure_id":15490,"section_number":"54.1-3900","catch_line":"Practice of law; student internship program; definition","url":"\/54.1-3900\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3900","metadata":false},{"id":63244,"structure_id":15490,"section_number":"54.1-3900.01","catch_line":"Protection of client interests; appointment of receiver for practice of a disabled, impaired, absent, deceased, suspended or disbarred attorney","url":"\/54.1-3900.01\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3900.01","metadata":false},{"id":72192,"structure_id":15490,"section_number":"54.1-3900.02","catch_line":"Disclosure of services provided by the Department of Veterans Services","url":"\/54.1-3900.02\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3900.02","metadata":false},{"id":87148,"structure_id":15490,"section_number":"54.1-3901","catch_line":"Practice of patent law","url":"\/54.1-3901\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3901","metadata":false},{"id":68321,"structure_id":15490,"section_number":"54.1-3902","catch_line":"Professional corporations; professional limited liability companies; and registered limited liability partnerships","url":"\/54.1-3902\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3902","metadata":false},{"id":76127,"structure_id":15490,"section_number":"54.1-3903","catch_line":"Oath; qualification; proof of licensure or authorization","url":"\/54.1-3903\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3903","metadata":false},{"id":81050,"structure_id":15490,"section_number":"54.1-3904","catch_line":"Penalty for practicing without authority","url":"\/54.1-3904\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3904","metadata":false},{"id":59027,"structure_id":15490,"section_number":"54.1-3905","catch_line":"Furnishing advice and services for compensation in connection with certain debt-pooling plans deemed practicing law","url":"\/54.1-3905\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3905","metadata":false},{"id":70328,"structure_id":15490,"section_number":"54.1-3906","catch_line":"Liability to client","url":"\/54.1-3906\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3906","metadata":false},{"id":86751,"structure_id":15490,"section_number":"54.1-3907","catch_line":"Reasonable care of attorney in selection of index","url":"\/54.1-3907\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3907","metadata":false},{"id":73593,"structure_id":15490,"section_number":"54.1-3908","catch_line":"Liability for words used in proceedings concerning conduct","url":"\/54.1-3908\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3908","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":72192,"structure_id":15490,"section_number":"54.1-3900.02","catch_line":"Disclosure of services provided by the Department of Veterans Services","url":"\/54.1-3900.02\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3900.02","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":68321,"structure_id":15490,"section_number":"54.1-3902","catch_line":"Professional corporations; professional limited liability companies; and registered limited liability partnerships","url":"\/54.1-3902\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3902","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/54.1-3901\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1962. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 389 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1962 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 6 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1968, chapter 10; in 1974, chapter 597; in 1981, chapter 103; in 1982, chapter 633; in 1988, chapter 765; in 2000, chapter 355<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":68321,"section_number":"54.1-3902","catch_line":"Professional corporations; professional limited liability companies; and registered limited liability partnerships","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3902\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":56019,"section_number":"13.1-544","catch_line":"Who may organize and become shareholder","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-544\/"},{"id":68321,"section_number":"54.1-3902","catch_line":"Professional corporations; professional limited liability companies; and registered limited liability partnerships","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3902\/"}],"permalink":{"id":244243,"object_type":"law","relational_id":87148,"identifier":"54.1-3901","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3901","url":"\/54.1-3901\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-3901\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3901","dublin_core":{"Title":"Practice of patent law","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-3901","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> For the purposes of this section “an attorney recognized to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office in patent cases<\/span>” is defined as anyone who is authorized to practice law in any state or territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and who is also entitled under the rules of that Office to represent another in patent cases. The “practice of patent law<\/span>” is defined as the performance of all necessary professional services with respect to patent matters concerning which being recognized to practice before that Office for the performance of such services is required and includes legal services related to or connected with the practice of patent law<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Any attorney who is admitted as an active member of the Virginia State Bar, limited to patent, trademark, copyright and unfair competition cases only, as of July 1, 2000, may continue such active membership subject to compliance with minimum requirements of Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Rules of the Supreme Court<\/span> of Virginia. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> This section shall not authorize a person recognized to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office in patent cases to appear in any court<\/span> or tribunal other than the tribunals of that Office, unless the person is an active member of the Virginia State Bar, generally or an active member of the Virginia State Bar limited to patent, trademark, copyright and unfair competition cases only as of July 1, 2000. This section shall not be construed to limit the admission to practice law as an active member of the Virginia State Bar generally of any person otherwise qualified for general admission. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> No attorney who is not an active member of the Virginia State Bar, whether or not authorized to practice before that Office in patent cases, shall be deemed to be admitted to practice patent law within the meaning of subdivision B 1 of § 54.1-3902<\/a> or duly licensed or otherwise legally authorized to practice law within the meaning of § 13.1-544<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPRACTICE OF PATENT LAW (\u00a7 54.1-3901)\n\nA. For the purposes of this section “an attorney recognized to practice\nbefore the United States Patent and Trademark Office in patent cases” is\ndefined as anyone who is authorized to practice law in any state or territory of\nthe United States, or the District of Columbia, and who is also entitled under\nthe rules of that Office to represent another in patent cases. The\n“practice of patent law” is defined as the performance of all\nnecessary professional services with respect to patent matters concerning which\nbeing recognized to practice before that Office for the performance of such\nservices is required and includes legal services related to or connected with\nthe practice of patent law.\n\nB. Any attorney who is admitted as an active member of the Virginia State Bar,\nlimited to patent, trademark, copyright and unfair competition cases only, as of\nJuly 1, 2000, may continue such active membership subject to compliance with\nminimum requirements of Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Rules of the\nSupreme Court of Virginia.\n\nC. This section shall not authorize a person recognized to practice before the\nUnited States Patent and Trademark Office in patent cases to appear in any court\nor tribunal other than the tribunals of that Office, unless the person is an\nactive member of the Virginia State Bar, generally or an active member of the\nVirginia State Bar limited to patent, trademark, copyright and unfair\ncompetition cases only as of July 1, 2000. This section shall not be construed\nto limit the admission to practice law as an active member of the Virginia State\nBar generally of any person otherwise qualified for general admission.\n\nD. No attorney who is not an active member of the Virginia State Bar, whether or\nnot authorized to practice before that Office in patent cases, shall be deemed\nto be admitted to practice patent law within the meaning of subdivision B 1 of\n§ 54.1-3902 or duly licensed or otherwise legally authorized to practice\nlaw within the meaning of § 13.1-544.\n\nHISTORY: 1962, c. 389, \u00a7 54-42.1; 1968, c. 10; 1974, c. 597; 1981, c. 103;\n1982, c. 633; 1988, c. 765; 2000, c. 355.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}