Rob Harmer
About Rob Harmer
Rob Harmer is an Intellectual Property Counsel at ThyssenKrupp with extensive experience in patent prosecution and IP management across various industries.
Current Role at ThyssenKrupp
Rob Harmer is currently serving as an Intellectual Property Counsel at ThyssenKrupp. In this role, he provides guidance on a wide array of intellectual property matters, including patent prosecution, trademark clearance, and opposition matters. He manages outside counsel for patent prosecution and provides critical invalidity and non-infringement opinions. Additionally, he has negotiated various agreements such as NDAs, joint venture agreements, and service contracts.
Previous Experience with Greenberg Traurig, LLP
From 2012 to 2015, Rob Harmer worked as an Intellectual Property Attorney at Greenberg Traurig, LLP in the Greater Chicago Area. During his three-year tenure, he gained significant experience advising on IP matters, including those related to counterfeit goods and patent validity/infringement. Rob also played a pivotal role in the preparation and prosecution of global patent families across diverse industries.
Stints at Dykema Gossett PLLC
Rob Harmer has had multiple roles at Dykema Gossett PLLC. Initially, he worked as a Summer Associate in 2008 and 2009. From 2010 to 2012, he served as an Intellectual Property Attorney, where he continued to build expertise in patent prosecution and provided invalidity and non-infringement opinions. These roles offered Rob substantial exposure to the legal intricacies of IP law and contributed to his professional growth in the field.
Education and Juris Doctor Degree
Rob Harmer holds a Juris Doctor degree from Michigan State University College of Law, where he studied from 2007 to 2010. This advanced legal education provided him with a robust foundation for his career in intellectual property law. His coursework and training during this period prepared him for the complex challenges he would later encounter in his professional roles.
Engineering Background
Before venturing into law, Rob Harmer obtained a Bachelor of Science in Engineering - Aeronautical from Western Michigan University, completing his studies from 2002 to 2007. His engineering background includes internships and co-op positions at companies like Ford Motor Company, TRW, and Ford Flight Operations. This technical expertise has been invaluable in his IP counsel roles where a comprehensive understanding of engineering principles is essential.