Overview
Rob C. Arbulu is an Intellectual Property Associate in Glaser Weil’s San Diego office, where he represents clients in patent, trademark, and copyright matters, as well as complex commercial disputes. He counsels companies ranging from emerging startups to large national and global corporations, with deep experience in patent litigation, strategic IP portfolio development, IP licensing, freedom to operate analyses, noninfringement opinions, and the assessment of third party rights. His practice spans a broad range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, research tools, medical devices, sporting goods, cosmetics, and fashion and apparel.
His experience includes preparing and prosecuting patent applications, managing discovery, developing expert strategies, drafting dispositive motions and pleadings, and supporting all phases of pre trial and trial preparation.
Drawing on his prior experience as Senior Director and Legal Counsel at an international life sciences company—where he led global IP strategy, he oversaw portfolio development with R&D teams, advised executive leadership on business and regulatory matters, and negotiated complex licensing and commercial agreements—Rob brings a practical, business driven perspective to his legal work. He also advises clients on domestic and international IP enforcement and on IP due diligence in mergers and acquisitions.
Rob has particular depth of experience in:
- Patent and trademark litigation
- Patent prosecution and global portfolio development
- Trademark counseling
- IP licensing, collaboration agreements and commercial agreements
- IP enforcement strategies (domestic and international)
- IP due diligence for mergers and acquisitions
- Complex commercial litigation
Prior to joining Glaser Weil, Rob practiced at an Am Law 200 firm, where he handled diligence, discovery, and motion practice in patent and trademark disputes, as well as commercial litigation involving privacy, false advertising, breach of contract, and unfair competition. He also advised on enforcement strategies and helped develop strategic IP portfolios across diverse technologies.
Previously, Rob served as Senior Director and Legal Counsel at an international life sciences company.
Rob began his legal career at an Am Law 50 firm and a national intellectual property and technology law firm, where he managed IP portfolios and prosecuted patent applications involving pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, sequencing technologies, medical devices, semiconductor fabrication, and battery systems.
He earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Illinois College of Law, where he received the Joseph M. Barich Excellence in Patent Law Award. Rob also holds a Master of Science in Chemistry from the University of New Mexico and bachelor’s degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry from Florida State University. His strong technical foundation—with peer‑reviewed publications and a co‑inventorship on a provisional U.S. patent application—enhances his ability to counsel clients working at the forefront of scientific innovation.
Results
Rob’s notable experience includes his representation of:
- A Canadian biotech company in managing the IP due diligence for its acquisition of a UK corporation, also in the biotech industry.*
- A cosmetics startup that was later acquired by a large multination corporation in developing and managing the company’s IP portfolio. *
- A medical device company, advising on a collaborative research agreement with a U.S. academic institution.*
- A fashion brand in negotiating a favorable settlement in its defense against claims for false advertising.*
*Denotes prior firm experience
Insights
Thought Leadership
Co-author, “Generating Photonastic Work from Irradiated Dyes in Electrospun Nanofibrous Polymer Mats,” ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Vol. 10, Issue 43, October 1, 2018
Co-author, “Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) Nanorods, Nanotubes, and Nanowires”, Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Vol. 130, Issue 20, pp. 5915-5919, May 2018
Co-Inventor of a provisional patent application pending before the U.S. patent and trademark office.
Leadership and Community
Member, San Diego Intellectual Property Law Association (SDIPLA)
Member, San Diego County Bar Association
Services
Education
University of Illinois College of Law, J.D., 2021, cum laude
University of New Mexico, M.S., 2018
Florida State University, B.S., 2014
Admissions
- California
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
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