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

        Press Releases

        97 Verrill Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers® 2027, Including Four Named Lawyers of the Year

        AUGUSTA, Maine, BANGOR, Maine, BOSTON, Mass., PORTLAND, Maine, and WESTPORT, Conn., (August 20, 2026) – Verrill is proud to announce that 97...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        SEC’s Proposed “Reg Crypto”: What Founders Need to Know

        Startup founders and emerging-growth companies have a number of options for raising capital under the federal securities laws, including Regulation D...
        Blog

        After 45 Years, the IRS Speaks on DCAP Nondiscrimination Testing – And It’s Good News

        Employers that provide a Dependent Care Assistance Program will be pleased to learn that for the first time in 45 years, the IRS has issued guidance...
        Media Mentions

        Robert Keach Discusses Bankruptcy Auction Strategy in Law360

        Verrill attorney Robert Keach spoke with Law360 article examining the complex bankruptcy auction process that resulted in the sale of 23 summer...
        Media Mentions

        Martha Gaythwaite Featured in Portland Press Herald Coverage of Sig Sauer Trial Victory

        Verrill attorney Martha Gaythwaite was highlighted in media coverage of a federal trial in Bangor involving firearm manufacturer Sig Sauer. As...
        Media Mentions

        Law360 Quotes Robert Keach on Senate Bill Affecting Small Business Restructurings

        Verrill attorney Robert Keach was recently quoted in a Law360 article discussing federal legislation that would permanently restore the $7.5 million...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        SAFEs and Preferred Stock – Key Deal Terms Every Founder Should Know

        SAFEs Before negotiating a term sheet for preferred stock, many early-stage companies, particularly at the seed stage, first raise capital through...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Welcomes Business Restructuring and Insolvency Attorney Nimra Tariq

        BOSTON, Massachusetts – Verrill is pleased to announce that Nimra Tariq has joined the firm’s Business Restructuring and Insolvency Group as an...
        Media Mentions

        Robert Keach Provides Commentary on First Brands Restructuring in Law360

        Verrill attorney Robert Keach was quoted in the Law360 article, "First Brands' Ch. 11 Plan Revives Angst Over Admin Claims," discussing First Brands...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Welcomes Construction Attorney Cassie Dufon

        PORTLAND, Maine – Verrill is pleased to welcome Cassie Dufon to the firm’s Construction Group as an Associate, resident in the firm’s Portland...
        Press Releases

        Verrill’s Wide-Ranging Private Wealth Law Practice Recognized in 2026 Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide

        BANGOR and PORTLAND, Maine and BOSTON, Mass. – Verrill attorneys Kenneth P. Brier, Anya F. Endsley, Kurt E. Klebe, Mary McQuillen, Nathaniel S....
        Blog

        Update on Status of Maine Packaging EPR

        In December 2024, Verrill published a blog post, Unwrapping Maine's Gift to the Environment: A New Packaging Stewardship Program Set to Launch in...