Bob helps innovators turn big ideas into protected assets, guiding them through the evolving landscape of intellectual property.
Overview
Bob focuses his practice on working with emerging and established innovators to turn technology into protected opportunities by identifying and pursuing untapped market space. As a registered practitioner before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Bob draws on deep experience preparing patent applications across diverse industries, particularly in areas related to motors, aircraft engines, automotive technologies, gaming devices and electromechanical systems.
Bob offers clear, strategic guidance on patentability, infringement risks and IP due diligence, helping clients navigate the intersection of innovation and evolving patent law. In contentious matters, he develops enforcement strategies, negotiates settlements, and manages complex proceedings such as patent reexaminations and interferences. His experience also includes drafting responses to PTO office actions and appeal briefs, addressing evidentiary issues in copyright cases, and handling trademark oppositions, interrogatories, and prosecution-related disputes.
Bob also advises clients on sustainability strategy and emerging energy technologies, including electric vehicles, solar power and wind energy. He conducts due diligence, evaluates legislative trends, explores untapped opportunities, and supports agreements and incentives tied to clean energy projects.
Before joining the firm, Bob was a partner at a St. Louis law firm where he focused on intellectual property and technology matters. Earlier in his career, he served as a training and safety coordinator and worked as a mechanical engineer at Illinois Power Co. Bob also served five years in the U.S. Air Force, where he was selected from among 2,500 officers as the 1990 Military Airlift Command Officer of the Year.
Experience
- Advised in-house counsel on patent-related matters involving automotive technologies, including noninfringement and invalidity analyses of competitor patents. Prepared and prosecuted patent applications directed to variety of technologies including automotive manufacturing, infotainment systems, electric vehicle (EV) charge controllers, audio systems, suspension systems and other mechanical systems.
- Developed and executed patent filing strategy resulting in patent family that was central to multimillion-dollar acquisition by large, publicly traded fluidics systems and specialty engineered products company.
- Managed patent applications for a multinational aerospace corporation relating to semiconductors, avionics, antennas, modeling, simulation, non-destructive testing, flight control systems, communication systems, electronics and unmanned systems.
- Oversaw the patent clearance of a new product line for a large automobile manufacturer. The new product line was in a complex and technical field that had required a detailed understanding and clearance of over 800 competitor patents in a relatively short time period.
- Represented large gaming client in a re-examination proceeding involving a high-profile patent. This patent provided patent protection over products representing a significant portion of the client's business. The re-examination proceeding resulted in a favorable settlement for the client.
News & Insights
News
Professional & Civic Activities
Professional & Civic Activities
Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC), Adjunct Professor, 2000-2025
American Intellectual Property Law Association
The Missouri Bar
Belleville Area College and SIU-Carbondale, Adjunct Professor, 1993-1998
American Red Cross, Volunteer
National Eagle Scout Association
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- Missouri
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Education
Saint Louis University School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1999
Webster University, M.A., 1990
Parks College, Saint Louis University, B.S., 1986
