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Robert M. Barrett

Robert M. Barrett concentrates his practice in intellectual property law and, more specifically, strategic counseling and portfolio management leveraging his decades of experience handling patent litigation, prosecution, licensing, due diligence, portfolio management, and counseling. Robert’s extensive experience includes working with companies in the biotech, chemical, software, e-commerce, health care, manufacturing, medical device, packaging, and food science spaces. He has acted as strategic IP advisor for some of the world’s largest and most prominent companies including Nestlé, Baxter International, Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, Ondeo Nalco Chemical, Methode Electronics, and Kyocera, as well as for a number of the nation's leading universities. In addition, he has helped a number of organizations monetize their IP rights including representing the seller in the largest royalty monetization.

He is the lead global practice area leader for the IP group. Previously, Robert was vice chairman of Bell Boyd & Lloyd at the time of its combination with K&L Gates in 2009. A degreed chemist prior to law school, he worked as a chemical engineer for an American tire company.

An adjunct professor of patent law at two separate law schools, Robert has been recognized by industry publications as a leading practitioner in intellectual property law. For example, he served as one of Law360’s “Voices of the Bar,” a panel of highly accomplished IP professionals, including former judges, policy makers, academics, and inside and outside counsel, discussing timely and important developments in the field of intellectual property law. He also co-founded the Kent Intellectual Property Law Clinic and Chicago Intellectual Property Alliance.

  • Listed in the Best Lawyers in America® for Patent Law (2014-2024)
  • Named an IP Star by Managing Intellectual Property in the United States and Illinois categories (2014-2023)
  • Named to the Illinois Super Lawyers list annually since the honor's inception (2005-2023)
  • Listed as a leader in Illinois IP Prosecution, IAM Patent 1000 (2020-present)
  • Chicago Intellectual Property Alliance (Co-Founder; Past President, President Emeritus)
  • French-American Chamber of Commerce – Chicago (Former Board of Directors)
  • Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago (Past President; Former Member of Board of Managers)
  • IPLAC Education Foundation (Founding Member and Past President)
  • MIT Enterprise Forum of Chicago (Former Executive Committee)

Robert is a frequent lecturer with professors from Chicago-Kent College of Law on recent developments in patent law.

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