Overview
Robert Unikel is a partner in the Chicago office of Paul Hastings and is head of the Chicago and Midwest Intellectual Property practice. Mr. Unikel has a diverse practice that includes litigating patent, trade secret, and trademark cases in a variety of industries, including digital media distribution, consumer products and brands, financial products and services, auto parts, and medical devices.
Mr. Unikel's extensive experience includes trying patent and trade secret cases involving varied products such as, a digital distribution platform for mobile "apps," a digital media store, thin film transistors, LCD panels, vascular stents, compiling computer software, auto parts, office products, baby strollers, minicell vaccines, anti-aging cosmetics, and casement window operators, and such diverse business methods as a method for tracking promotional mailings, a method for implementing consumer rewards programs, a method for configuring products through an electronic interface, and a method for automatically executing securities and derivatives trades.
Additionally, Mr. Unikel has unique experience in successfully defending against claims of false patent marking under 35 U.S.C. 292. He has managed disputes involving various well-known trademarks and has litigated numerous trade dress matters implicating product and packaging designs and non-traditional source indicators (including color and scent). Mr. Unikel has handled appeals to the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals and to the United States Supreme Court. Further, he regularly counsels businesses and individuals on intellectual property development, protection, and licensing strategies.
Mr. Unikel received his law degree from Northwestern University School of Law, where he was a Notes and Comment Editor for the Northwestern University Law Review and recipient of the Lowdeb-Wigmore Prize for Legal Scholarship, as well as a finalist in the Julius H. Miner Moot Court Competition.
Recognitions
- Chambers USA, Intellectual Property – Illinois (2014-2024)
- The Legal 500, Intellectual Property – Trade Secrets (Litigation and Non- contentious Matters) (2021-2024)
- The Legal 500, Intellectual Property – Patents: Litigation (Full Coverage) (2021-2024)
- IAM Global Leaders (2021-2024)
- IAM Patent 1000 – Illinois (2016-2024)
- IP Stars Patent Star – Illinois (2013-2015, 2017-2024)
- Managing IP Americas Awards, Outstanding Litigator – Illinois (2018) & Outstanding Litigator – Illinois, Finalist (2023)
- Thomson Reuters, Illinois Super Lawyer (2014-2023)
Since 2014, Mr. Unikel has been ranked by Chambers USA for Intellectual Property: Illinois. In 2023, Chambers described Mr. Unikel as “sharp, practical and an all-round phenomenal problem solver.”
In prior years, Chambers lauded Mr. Unikel as:
- “A great communicator, he understands the client and our needs and advocates for our position in a way that's professional” and “a truly first-class lawyer in every respect and is extremely well prepared. He is an excellent courtroom lawyer and is very articulate.” (2022)
- “An amazing trial lawyer who is calm, well spoken and organized,” according to one source. Another noted, “He is a really capable and experienced litigator who is able to see the bigger picture in a case.” (2021)
- “A formidable litigator,” according to one source, while another describes him as a “superb lawyer who is very thorough and thoughtful in his preparation, and extremely articulate in court.” (2020)
- “A very effective advocate,” who has “ability to simplify complex subject matters making them accessible.” (2019)
- “A great presence in front of a jury” and “very good on his feet.” (2018)
Chambers has also praised Mr. Unikel for being "'a very sophisticated patent litigator' who is particularly recognized for his work on cutting-edge technology intellectual property issues emanating from Silicon Valley," with sources highlighting his "strategic ability, saying he 'has a good mind for the risk analysis of key exposure points and for creating multiple paths for resolution,' while also highlighting his courtroom abilities, saying that 'he is good on his feet' and 'a great presence in front of a jury.'"
Additionally, Intellectual Asset Management notes that Mr. Unikel "is a versatile litigator" who "litigates with aplomb in all fields of intellectual property" "with his impressive patent, trade secret, and trademark nous."
Education
- Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, J.D. 1993
- Dartmouth College, B.A. 1990
news
- Paul Hastings Recognized in Managing IP’s 2023 Edition of IP Stars - July 14th, 2023
- Paul Hastings Again Recognized in the 2023 Edition of IAM Patent 1000 - July 13th, 2023
- 2022 IAM Patent 1000 Ranks More Than 20 Paul Hastings’ Intellectual Property Lawyers Across Seven Jurisdictions - July 6th, 2022
- Managing IP Magazine Illuminates Paul Hastings’ Intellectual Property Practice with 16 Lawyers Recognized as ‘IP Star’ - June 15th, 2022
- Paul Hastings IP Practice Recognized as IAM Global Leaders Across Span of Offices - November 23rd, 2021
- Paul Hastings’ Intellectual Property Practice Continues Year of Remarkable Rankings with New IAM 1000 Accolades and Additional IP Stars Recognitions - July 2nd, 2021
- Paul Hastings’ Intellectual Property Practice Glows with Numerous Lawyers Ranked as 2021 ‘IP Stars' by Managing IP Magazine - June 8th, 2021
- Paul Hastings Ranked as Top Three Firm for New Rankings and Recognized for Numerous Practice Strength and Growth in Chambers USA 2021 - May 21st, 2021
- Benchmark Litigation Distinguishes Paul Hastings’ IP Practice with Top-Tier National Ranking - October 14th, 2020
- Recognition of Paul Hastings’ Top IP Litigation Practice Continues with Managing IP’s Firm Rankings - June 26th, 2020
- Paul Hastings’ IP Litigation Practice Recognized as an IP Powerhouse with 25 Rankings by IAM Patent 1000 and Legal 500 US - June 12th, 2020
- Paul Hastings’ Intellectual Property Practice Shines Bright with 11 Star Litigators in Managing IP’s Ranking of IP Stars - May 3rd, 2020
- Paul Hastings Practices and Lawyers Score Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2020 - May 1st, 2020
- Paul Hastings Recognized in 2019 Managing Intellectual Property’s IP Stars - June 24th, 2019
- Paul Hastings Recognized in 2019 IAM Patent 1000 as One of the Most Sophisticated Patent Litigation Practices - June 7th, 2019
- Paul Hastings Practices and Lawyers Score Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2019 - May 1st, 2019
- Paul Hastings Recognized in 2018 Managing Intellectual Property IP Stars - June 18th, 2018
- Paul Hastings Recognized in 2018 IAM Patent 1000 For Superb Track Record in Patent Litigation - June 15th, 2018
- Paul Hastings’ IP Growth Continues with Addition of Prominent IP and Trade Secrets Partner in Chicago - May 23rd, 2018
Recognitions
- A Well-Oiled Machine of the Highest Caliber, Paul Hastings’ IP Practice Again Recognized in IAM Patent 1000 With Numerous Geographical and Individual Rankings - June 7th, 2024
- Paul Hastings’ IP Practice Receives Nine Award Nominations for Managing IP Americas Awards 2024 - March 22nd, 2024
- Paul Hastings Recognized in Managing IP’s 2023 Edition of IP Stars - July 14th, 2023
- Paul Hastings Again Recognized in the 2023 Edition of IAM Patent 1000 - July 13th, 2023
- Paul Hastings' IP Practice Recognized as IAM Global Leaders 2023 - December 22nd, 2022
- 19 Paul Hastings Lawyers Ranked in 2022 IAM Patent 1000 - July 6th, 2022
- Paul Hastings Lawyers Recognized as 'IP Stars' by Managing IP - June 15th, 2022
- Paul Hastings IP Practice Recognized by Chambers USA 2022 - June 1st, 2022
- Paul Hastings IP Partners Recognized in IAM Global Leaders 2022 - November 24th, 2021
- Paul Hastings Intellectual Property Practice Recognized by IAM 1000 2021 - July 2nd, 2021
- 2021 Legal 500 United States Guide Ranks More Than Fifteen Paul Hastings’ Intellectual Property Practice Lawyers - June 17th, 2021
- Ranked Among Managing IP's 2021 IP Stars - June 10th, 2021
- Paul Hastings Litigation Practice Recognized by Chambers USA 2021 - May 28th, 2021
- Paul Hastings Intellectual Property Practice Recognized by Chambers USA 2021 - May 24th, 2021
- Recognized by Chambers USA 2021 - May 21st, 2021
- Recognized in the IAM Patent 1000 - June 11th, 2020
- Recognized by Chambers USA 2020 - May 1st, 2020
- Ranked among Managing IP's 2020 IP Stars - May 1st, 2020
- Recognized by IAM Patent 1000 for 2019 - June 7th, 2019
- Ranked by Chambers USA 2019 - April 26th, 2019
Involvement
- Member, Sedona Conference's Working Group 10 on Patent Litigation Best Practices
- Adjunct Professor of Law (Trial Advocacy), Northwestern University School of Law