Clients turn to Robert Florence for patent and trademark litigation and counseling. He has litigated a broad variety of patent disputes across industries, ranging from generic pharmaceuticals and medical devices, to cellular and cable TV technologies, to wound dressings and garden hose connectors. He also has a proven track record with patent litigation before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, where he has successfully argued several complex appeals.
Robert has particularly deep experience with pharmaceutical patent litigation brought under the Hatch-Waxman Act. He is known nationally for his Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) work and has extensive experience counseling generic pharmaceutical companies regarding pre-litigation strategies and defending such companies in patent litigation.
He handles litigation from inception through trial and has litigated cases before state and federal courts, the American Arbitration Association, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB).
Robert has also managed intellectual property portfolios for clients, including conducting intellectual property searches, drafting patent and trademark availability opinions, preparing patent and trademark applications, responding to patent and trademark office actions, and performing audits. He has prosecuted domestic and international patent applications in a variety of arts, including mechanical, chemical, biotechnology, and medical devices.
Additionally, he has negotiated and prepared commercial agreements that include licensing, assignment of rights, development, indemnification, nondisclosure, noncompete, employment and settlement agreements.
Before practicing law, Robert taught science as a secondary school teacher and held teaching certifications in biology, chemistry, and physical science.