Robert H. Stier, Jr.
Partner
Bob Stier concentrates on jury trials of cases involving scientific and technical subject matter, with a particular focus on patent, products liability, trade secret and other technology-related litigation. For more than 40 years he has successfully handled patent litigation nationwide at the trial and appellate levels for a wide variety of clients, especially those in the biotechnology and semiconductor industries.
Several years ago, Bob assembled a group of more than 100 community banks and credit unions to present a joint defense against a company demanding license payments for the use of ATMs, which resulted in the dismissal of all claims against his clients and a covenant not to sue any of the group members. He also frequently counsels clients on patent enforcement, infringement, validity and freedom to operate issues.
Bob also assists Nordic clients with various IP issues in the U.S. His longstanding familiarity with the Swedish language and culture enable him to offer unique insights about resolving or avoiding disputes, a contribution much appreciated by Nordic clients, some of whom he has represented for over 25 years.
Bob has been recognized for more than 30 years by The Best Lawyers in America®. He has been described in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business as "probably the best IP litigator in Maine." According to Chambers: "‘The man is extremely efficient,' clients declare; ‘we can't speak highly enough of him. He gives you his recommendation and your options, and accurately estimates your chance of success.'"
Bob has taught patent law as an adjunct professor at the University of Maine School of Law and also serves occasionally as an instructor in the trial advocacy program at Harvard Law School. He has testified as an expert witness (for the prevailing party) in a jury trial involving alleged malpractice in patent litigation.
- Recognized by Chambers USA for Commercial Litigation (2014-2020)
- Recognized as a "Local Litigation Star" by Benchmark Litigation—the definitive guide to America’s leading litigation firms and attorneys. Recognized in the areas of Commercial Litigation and Product Liability (2013-present)
- Recognized by Super Lawyers for Intellectual Property Litigation in Maine (2007-present)
- The Best Lawyers in America® in the areas of IP Litigation and Patent Litigation (1991-present)
- Member, American Law Institute (2010-present)
- Member, Boston IP Inn of Court (2009-present)
- Former member, SwedenBIO (2007-2020)
- Co-founder and member, Edward T. Gignoux Inn of Court; former Counselor (1994-1996)
- Former member, Products Liability Advisory Council (1989-2012)
- Robert H. Stier, Jr., Extraterritoriality and the Active Inducement of Infringement, Review of Intellectual Property Law (Spring 2020)
- Gustaf Lagercrantz & Robert H. Stier, Jr., Real Control Over Litigation: Practical Steps to Leverage Your Power as a Client in Today’s Market. International In-house Counsel Journal (Spring 2013)
- Robert H. Stier, Jr., Proving Infringement, and Robert H. Stier, Jr. & Margaret Minister O'Keefe, Settlement of Patent Disputes, in Patent Litigation Strategies Handbook, Third Edition 31, 1125 (Barry Grossman & Gary Hoffman eds., 3d ed. 2010)
- Robert H. Stier, Jr, Economic Damages, in Expert Evidence: A Practitioner's Guide to Law, Science and the FJC Manual (Black and Lee, eds., 1997)
- Robert H. Stier, Jr., Revisiting the Missing Witness Inference, 44 Md.L.Rev. 137 (1985)
- Treasurer, past president, board member, Harvard Club in Maine (2011-present)
- Member, Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce-New England (1998-present)
- President, Board of Directors, Thomas Memorial Library Foundation (2004-2016)
- Trustee and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Thomas Memorial Library (2000-2006)
Practice Areas
- Advanced Biologics LLC v. Zimmer Biomet Spine, Inc., D. Del. Civil Action No. 21-519-RGA, 2022 WL 1773672 (June 1, 2022) (adopting favorable claim construction)
- In re Automated Transactions LLC Patent Litigation, MDL No. 13-2429-SLR, Docket No. 1, Transfer Order centralizing 8 cases (April 1, 2013) (consolidating cases before Judge Sue Robinson)
- Sapidyne Instruments, Inc. v. Gyros US, Inc., D.Mass. Civil Action No. 08-11150, Docket No. 47, Order Regarding Claim Construction (November 25, 2009) (adopting favorable claim construction, prompting settlement of litigation)
- Fairchild Semiconductor Corp. v. Third Dimension (3D) Semiconductor, Inc., 594 F.Supp.2d 97 (D.Me. Jan 14, 2009) (granting preliminary injunction for client in complex licensing dispute)
- Golf Tech, LLC v. Edens Technologies, LLC, 592 F.Supp.2d 167 (D.Me. January 06, 2009) (granting summary judgment for client after favorable claim construction)
- Cohesive Technologies, Inc. v. Waters Corp., 543 F.3d 1351 (Fed. Cir. 2008) (affirming infringement verdict in favor of client and reversing adverse claim construction ruling)