Robert T. Van Nest

Robert T. Van Nest is a distinguished trial lawyer known for his extensive experience in high-stakes intellectual property and complex business litigation, particularly within the technology sector. His practice spans patent infringement, copyright, and trademark controversies, alongside broader commercial contracts and antitrust disputes. He frequently represents leading technology companies in matters involving software, smartphone technology, semiconductors, and advanced processing chips used in artificial intelligence.

Mr. Van Nest predominantly represents defendants, aligning with his track record of successfully defending operating companies against significant claims. Notably, he led the team that defended Google against a patent-infringement lawsuit seeking over $1 billion in damages, widely reported as Oracle Corporation v. Google, Inc.. He also secured a defense verdict for Twitter Inc., protecting it from a $40 million patent infringement claim in VS Technologies LLC v. Twitter Inc., and has represented clients such as Qualcomm, Broadcom, American Honda, Netflix, and OpenAI in various high-profile patent and copyright disputes.

He is a founding partner at Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP, a prominent San Francisco-based litigation boutique. The firm, which added his name in 1992 and then in 1994, is highly regarded for its prowess in intellectual property and litigation, handling critical cases for global innovators. While his firm handles various IP disputes, including patent infringement cases that may involve Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) proceedings, specific details of Mr. Van Nest's individual regular appearances or a dedicated PTAB/IPR practice are not explicitly highlighted in available professional profiles.

Mr. Van Nest earned his B.A. from Stanford University and his J.D. magna cum laude from Harvard Law School. He was admitted to the State Bar of California on November 29, 1978.