U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan Hightower began her service in the Western District of Texas in 2019, serving in the Austin Division.
Before her judicial appointment, Judge Hightower served as an administrative judge at the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (2012–2019) and practiced intellectual property law at Pirkey Barber PLLC (2006–2012) and Fulbright & Jaworski LLP (2001–2006). She began her legal career as a law clerk to Judge Jacques L. Wiener, Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (2000–2001).
Education
- Stanford Law School, J.D., 2000
- University of Texas, M.A., 1994
- Austin College, B.A., 1987
Career
- U.S. Magistrate Judge, Western District of Texas (2019–present)
- Administrative Judge, Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, USPTO (2012–2019)
- Attorney, Pirkey Barber PLLC (2006–2012)
- Attorney, Fulbright & Jaworski LLP (2001–2006)
- Law Clerk to Judge Jacques L. Wiener, Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (2000–2001)