At Leber IP Law, Dave advises clients around the world and executes strategies for protecting a variety of electrical and computer-related technologies. He also assists with law firm governance, information technology security, professional responsibility compliance, and marketing and business development. He works out of his office in Maine. 

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Always drawn to technology and how things work, Dave began his career developing science and engineering software for the electric power industry after studying computer science and electrical and computer engineering. He is coauthor of two publications, including a seminal paper in the field of digital signal analysis for power system transient detection and classification.

In 2000, Dave joined the U.S. Patent Office, examining U.S. and international inventions in operations research and computer-related software automation, modeling, and controls, including renewable energy, grid control, and energy storage technologies. After nine years of experience as a patent examiner, the next stop was law school to become a patent attorney.

 

Dave earned his law degree from the Maine School of Law cum laude while helping to build and expand a regional law firm's patent group. Prosecuting patents for small- to medium-size startup companies and independent inventors of software, communications, LED lighting, and robotic automation, Dave also supported patent litigation, including inter partes reviews, challenging the patentability of one or more claims in an issued patent. He also defended assertions of standards-essential patents. 

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He relishes jumping into complex patent portfolios, identifying the relevant issues and forward strategy, establishing a relationship with the client, and contributing to ongoing matters. Drawn to solving challenges and completing projects, Dave took on the U.S. robotics technology portfolio of a major client when he joined Leber IP Law in 2018, securing patents in all pending cases over the following year.

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Dave appreciates the creativity and innovation of small-entity startups and micro-entity independent inventors. Since joining the firm, he has helped our clients Invisible Intelligence, CvInternational, Switchdown, and numerous foreign clients receive patent grants or indications of allowability grants in a range of technologies. When Dave advises startups such as CloudLex, they appreciate his straight talk on the costs and timelines involved in patenting, and they are thankful for his insights into IP strategies appropriate for the current phase of their ventures. Dave’s work with our foreign associates is respectful of their clients’ budgets and desire for efficient and effective U.S. prosecution.

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Dave is active in the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) and the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property. He’s a working member of the AIPLA Subcommittee on 101 Patent Eligibility. He’s also a member of the Maine State Bar Association, Environmental and Energy Technology Council of Maine, and CleanTech Open Northeast. His involvement in the industry, combined with his work in technology transfer for a major research university and experience in software development, patent examining, prosecution, and litigation, provides clients with a comprehensive perspective on patent strategy.

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When Dave’s not handling intellectual property cases, he volunteers with the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, doing pro bono representation. He researches the history of law and Supreme Court oral arguments for fun. He also enjoys hiking, kayaking, gardening, construction, home brewing and bread making, jamming with his bass guitar, and playing with his Labrador Retriever puppy, Washington, “DC.”