Robert Hulse

415-875-2444
rhulse@fenwick.com
Partner
Intellectual Property

Robert A.
Hulse

Robert A.
Hulse

Robert A.
Hulse

Partner
Intellectual Property

Bob builds strategic patent portfolios in a wide range of technical fields that equip clients with a strong intellectual property footing as they grow into household names.

Robert is one of the most gifted patent attorneys one could work with and has been extremely helpful in navigating the challenging legal landscape.”

IAM Patent 1000, 2024

Bob advises clients in the computer software, electronics, electromechanical and medical devices, digital healthcare and electronic media industries. His holistic approach to building patent portfolios is strengthened by his extensive experience in intellectual property due diligence experience on both sides of M&A and financing transactions. Companies in the earlier stages rely on Bob to establish strong patent programs as they grow from industry newcomers to household names. He worked alongside Facebook to secure their first patent, on the Newsfeed, and many other fundamental patents such as the Like button, Check-In feature, privacy controls for social media, Social Ads and more. Bob was also the original patent attorney for Instacart and successfully grew their portfolio in the lead-up to their IPO.

In addition to providing legal services for his clients, Bob has served as an adjunct professor at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, teaching patent drafting and prosecution. He is also a member of the faculty at the Practising Law Institute and has lectured on topics related to patent law at the University of Washington School of Law, Dalhousie University and the National University of Singapore.

  • Advises Instacart, market-leading grocery delivery app, on their patent portfolio strategy and development, and in connection with acquisitions by Instacart, including Caper AI and Eversight.
  • Developed the IP strategy, including counseling about trade secrets and developing a patent portfolio, for Digital Diagnostics, a leading healthcare company that provides AI-based diagnostic tools for diagnosing various diseases.
  • Represented Facebook from their first patent through the portfolio’s growth to several thousand patents. This included establishing core IP in social media and online advertising fields and then continuing to core IP in online messaging and virtual reality.

  • Advises Instacart, market-leading grocery delivery app, on their patent portfolio strategy and development, and in connection with acquisitions by Instacart, including Caper AI and Eversight.
  • Developed the IP strategy, including counseling about trade secrets and developing a patent portfolio, for Digital Diagnostics, a leading healthcare company that provides AI-based diagnostic tools for diagnosing various diseases.
  • Represented Facebook from their first patent through the portfolio’s growth to several thousand patents. This included establishing core IP in social media and online advertising fields and then continuing to core IP in online messaging and virtual reality.

Robert is one of the smartest and most creative patent attorneys I have ever encountered, and he combines his knowledge and skill to help us achieve what we want in our patent portfolio.”

Client Commentator, The Legal 500

2024

Recognition Recognition Recognition

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Recognition
The Legal 500

2014 - 2024

Ranked as a top patent lawyer by The Legal 500 with recognitions for portfolio management and licensing and patent prosecution (including reexamination and post-grant proceedings)

IAM Patent 1000

2012 - 2024

Recognized as a leading patent prosecution attorney

Managing Intellectual Property

2015 - 2022

Named an IP Star

  • Life Sciences Star, Euromoney’s LMG Life Sciences Awards (2012, 2013, 2019-2022)
  • Top Intellectual Property Attorney (2012 – 2015) and Top 20 Lawyers Under 40 in California (2013), Daily Journal​
  • Silicon Valley 40 Under 40, Silicon Valley Business Journal (2014)
  • Rising Star: Top Attorneys Under 40, Law360 (2013)

Recognition
The Legal 500

2014 - 2024

Ranked as a top patent lawyer by The Legal 500 with recognitions for portfolio management and licensing and patent prosecution (including reexamination and post-grant proceedings)

IAM Patent 1000

2012 - 2024

Recognized as a leading patent prosecution attorney

Managing Intellectual Property

2015 - 2022

Named an IP Star