Robert L. Hover

        Counsel

        Clients trust Rob to help them identify, protect, and leverage their intellectual property. Rob’s engineering experience helps him gain a deep understanding of the client’s technology and business objectives, as well as educate the client with respect to intellectual property law.

        Clients rely on Rob to help them identify, protect, and leverage their intellectual property. His engineering experience enables him to gain a deep understanding of the client’s technology and business objectives, empowering him to educate clients effectively with respect to intellectual property law and its strategic application.

        Rob assists a diverse range of clients, spanning individuals, startups, and Fortune 100 corporations, in leveraging the full breadth of intellectual property and information technology to develop comprehensive IP strategies for achieving their business objectives. Informed by those objectives, Rob provides legal counsel to clients in matters pertaining to patent prosecution, intellectual property (IP) agreements and licensing, IP due diligence for corporate transactions, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and other proprietary information. Additionally, Rob collaborates with clients to evaluate and proactively mitigate risk, drafting opinions with respect to product design and freedom-to-operate.

        Rob also provides guidance to clients concerning intellectual property litigation and post-grant proceedings conducted before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). With a background in aeronautical engineering and experience as a structural analysis engineer supporting Pratt and Whitney and General Electric, Rob possesses extensive expertise in mechanical, electrical, and software technologies, spanning aviation/aerospace, robotics, sensor systems, telecommunications, wireless communications, artificial intelligence, imaging/image recognition, augmented reality, armor systems, composites, metals, space launch systems, green energy, medical devices, and aquaculture.

        Prior to joining Verrill, Rob served as an intellectual property attorney in the Boston office of a global law firm. Currently, Rob serves as a member of Verrill’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

        Rob lives with his wife, Britney, and his two children in York, Maine, with a menagerie of cats, dogs, and furry foster friends. In his spare time, he enjoys skiing, hiking, birding, and spending time with his family.

        Services/Industries

        Education

        • University of New Hampshire School of Law (J.D., cum laude)
        • University of New Hampshire School of Law (LL.M., cum laude)
        • Clarkson University (B.S.)
          • Aeronautical Engineering

        Public Service

        • Advisory Committee Member, Dirigo Labs, Waterville, ME
        • Board member and Working Group Co-Chair, Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA)
        • Former Vice Chair and Elected Member, York School Committee, York, ME

        Bar Admissions

        • Massachusetts

        Court and Other Admissions

        • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
        • U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

        Memberships

        • CIPP/US Certificate

        Firm Highlights

        Blog

        Will the Knicks Beat the Spurs? (Are Prediction Market Event Contracts Gambling?)

        For those of you who like to keep score, currently 18 states are engaged in litigation over prediction markets, such as Kalshi and Polymarket,...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        DOJ Announces Faster Review and Enhanced Enforcement for Benefits-Fraud FCA Matters

        On May 27, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Division issued a new memorandum, “Accelerating Review and Enhancing Enforcement in...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        DOJ Announces Minnesota Health Care Fraud Takedown; Signals Intensified Medicaid Enforcement Nationwide

        On May 21, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced a first-of-its kind Minnesota Health Care Fraud Takedown charging 15 defendants, including...
        Media Mentions

        Lauren Galvin Quoted in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly on Arbitration and Anti-SLAPP Protections

        Verrill Partner Lauren Galvin was recently featured in a Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly article highlighting a notable Superior Court decision...
        Blog

        Section 530A Accounts: What Employers Should Consider Before Offering Contributions to “Trump” Accounts

        Section 530A accounts, commonly referred to as Trump accounts, have attracted attention since the enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in...
        Blog

        Navigating PBM Reform: Regulatory Changes, Market Shifts, and Practical Guidance for ERISA Fiduciaries

        Pharmacy Benefit Manager (“PBM”) arrangements have long relied on rebates with limited transparency into true drug costs. Recent regulatory and...
        Blog

        DOL’s Proposed Regulation on Selecting Alternative Investments: Broad Implications for 401(k) and 403(b) Plan Fiduciaries

        On March 30, 2026, the Department of Labor issued a proposed regulation purporting to implement an executive order to expand access to “alternative...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Welcomes Private Clients & Fiduciary Services Attorney Gracie Castle

        BOSTON, Massachusetts – Verrill is pleased to welcome Gracie Castle to the firm’s Private Clients & Fiduciary Services Group as an Associate,...
        Published Works

        Francesco De Vito Authors Article in the Journal of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys

        Verrill Partner Frank De Vito authored an article featured in the Spring 2026 issue of The Abstract, the journal of the American College of Mortgage...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        Recent FinCEN Advisory Highlights Rising Health Care Fraud Risk for Financial Institutions

        As the federal government intensifies its “whole of government” approach to combat fraud, waste, and abuse, particularly in Federal Health Care...
        Press Releases

        Two Verrill Attorneys Featured in the 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers List

        PORTLAND, Maine – Verrill attorneys Roger A. Clement, Jr. and Robert J. Keach have been featured in the 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global...
        Published Works

        Verrill Attorney Mark Googins Co-Authors Maine Commercial Lending Handbook

        Verrill attorney Mark Googins has co-authored the Maine Commercial Lending Handbook (Second Edition), published March 2026.  A trusted, practical...