Profile
Robert Ward counsels startup companies, venture capital firms, and global technology leaders on intellectual property (IP) and technology related matters including strategic patent counseling, IP due diligence, and technology transactions. He is recognized as a go-to medtech and digital health attorney with broad experience in various medical fields, including prosthetic heart valves, transcatheter systems, heart pumps, stents, fluid pumps, occlusion devices, ablation devices, surgical assist and robotic devices, steerable catheters, and numerous diagnostic and software technologies (often implementing AI and machine learning). With a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mechanical engineering, Robert also regularly works with companies in the mechanical, robotics and automation, and electromechanics space.
Leveraging his engineering background, Robert works closely with clients to identify and protect core aspects of their technology with an emphasis on developing robust patent portfolios and resilient IP strategies that can withstand the scrutiny of diligence and litigation. He is routinely relied upon by venture capital firms and companies alike to prepare freedom-to-operate, invalidity, and patentability opinions. He also assists with all IP related aspects of mergers and acquisitions and has guided numerous medical device and health care startup companies through exits.
In addition, Robert has deep experience preparing and negotiating agreements involving intellectual property and related corporate transactions including licensing, acquisition, development, services, consulting, confidentiality, and various other agreements. He also has experience in intellectual property disputes including litigation before courts and the USPTO.
Concentrations
- Patent portfolio management and strategic counseling
- IP due diligence for venture capital firms and companies
- MedTech—medical devices, digital health, artificial intelligence (AI)
- Intellectual property and technology transactions
- Litigation and pre-litigation strategy
Capabilities
Experience
- Represented Gyrus Capital (Geneva, Switzerland) in the purchase of the heart valve business from LivaNova.°
- Represented Cardiologs (acquired by Philips) on machine learning and artificial intelligence software for analyzing electrocardiogram (ECG) signals from a patient’s heart.°
- Represented ReCor Medical (acquired by Otsuka) on renal denervation for the treatment of hypertension.°
- Advised a global Fortune 50 publicly traded technology company on data privacy, intellectual property, competition, and other legal matters related to the development and launch of a virtual reality platform.°
- Represented Pabban Development, Inc. in breach of contract suit against Kyphon Sàrl LLC, obtaining a jury verdict finding breach of the terms of the acquisition agreement of Pabban’s patented spinal cement-delivery technology, the Natrix System.°
°The above representations were handled by Mr. Ward prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
Recognition & Leadership
- Member, Board of Directors, Orange County Intellectual Property Law Association (OCIPLA), 2024-Present
Credentials
- J.D., Notre Dame Law School
- M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Loyola Marymount University
- B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern California
- California
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit