Robert M. Oakes Takes the Helm at Fish & Richardson in Wilmington
A familiar face inside the walls of Fish & Richardson PC is stepping into the office’s top leadership role. Robert M. “Bob” Oakes officially took over as managing principal of the global intellectual property firm’s Delaware office on Thursday, succeeding Susan Morrison, who led the office for the past decade, Law360 reported.
Oakes inherits an operation with deep roots in the First State’s active federal court system. Launched in 1999, the Delaware office currently houses 20 attorneys alongside a dedicated team of patent agents and professional staff, according to details shared with Law360 Pulse. For clients managing high-stakes patent, trademark, and copyright disputes, the office remains a critical outpost in one of the nation's busiest intellectual property jurisdictions.
A People-Focused Vision for Junior Attorneys
Stepping into the leadership post after spending his entire 18-year legal career with the firm, Oakes plans to center his tenure on internal collaboration and professional development.
“One of my goals is to create an environment where individuals feel supported, valued, and empowered to contribute,” Oakes told Law360 Pulse. “I also believe strongly in mentorship and open communication, and I want to ensure that attorneys at every stage of their careers have opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed.”
Firm leadership expressed strong backing for the transition. John C. Adkisson, president and CEO of Fish & Richardson, noted that Oakes brings deep institutional knowledge to the executive post.
Please join us in congratulating Bob Oakes on his appointment as Delaware office managing principal, effective October 1.Delaware is one of the nation's leading venues for IP litigation and a strategically important market for our clients. Bob brings deep experience, sound… pic.twitter.com/DD5QuHRszz
“Bob has deep roots at Fish, and he has long been a valued leader within our Delaware office and across the firm,” Adkisson said in a statement released on Monday. “I am confident he will build on the office’s strong history and lead our Delaware office with the same sound judgment and commitment he brings to his practice.”
Oakes Manages Patent Litigation for Life Sciences and Technology
Beyond his administrative duties, Oakes maintains an active docket centered on patent litigation in federal courts, licensing agreements, infringement analyses, and patentability assessments. His practice carries a heavy emphasis on the life sciences sector, covering complex disputes involving pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biotech platforms, and diagnostic technologies.
His courtroom experience extends to diverse technology sectors as well. Among his recent matters, Oakes serves on the legal team representing ModoPayments in an active patent infringement lawsuit in Delaware federal court concerning its COIN payment data management system.
Oakes earned his undergraduate degree from Emory University, a master’s degree from Kansas State University, and his law degree in 2008 from the University of Pennsylvania Law School (now known as Carey Law School). Before entering the legal profession, he worked as a biologist at the consulting firm Louis Berger Group between 2004 and 2005, and completed a brief stint within the legal department at Johnson & Johnson.
