About Robert Keith
Robert Keith Cerpa occupies a specialized niche in patent practice. He is a registered practitioner before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office and carries the title of Senior Patent Agent at Morrison & Foerster LLP. His work sits at the intersection of technical detail and procedural law.
Cerpa's academic path began at Harvard University, where he earned an A.B. in 1984. He later completed doctoral studies at the University of California, receiving a Ph.D. in 1995. The two degrees mark a long span of formal study and signal a deep grounding in both liberal arts and advanced scientific or technical training.
He moved into patent practice after his doctoral work. Over time he advanced to a senior role at Morrison & Foerster LLP. The firm's platform gave him a setting to handle complex patent matters and to coordinate with attorneys and technical teams. His title identifies him as a non-attorney practitioner who is authorized to act before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.
A registered patent agent typically prepares and prosecutes patent applications and appears before the USPTO on behalf of clients. Cerpa's doctoral training supports that work by providing technical familiarity that is often necessary when converting research and development into patent claims. He participates in the routine tasks of patent practice that require registration at the federal patent office.
Colleagues describe senior patent agents as a bridge between inventors and patent counsel. In that role, Cerpa works alongside attorneys at Morrison & Foerster, contributing technical analyses, drafting specifications and claims, and engaging in prosecution strategy. His position places technical judgment and procedural knowledge side by side.
The arc of his career shows a steady alignment of academic preparation and practical application. From an undergraduate degree in 1984 to doctoral completion in 1995, and onward into a senior professional role, the timeline reflects sustained involvement in technical fields and patent work. It also reflects the particular career path available to those who elect to register as agents rather than seek state-bar admission.
He currently concentrates on representing clients before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.
