Rob’s leadership in advancing Sterne Kessler's strategic and financial objectives has contributed to the firm's position as an industry leader in the ever-changing patent law arena.
Overview
Robert K. Burger is the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Sterne Kessler, where he helps lead the strategy, operations, finance, technology, and long-term growth of one of the world’s leading intellectual property law firms.
Since joining Sterne Kessler in 2006, Rob has played a key role in the firm’s strategic evolution and operational transformation, helping guide significant growth while strengthening the firm’s culture, innovation capabilities, and organizational infrastructure. His leadership spans finance, operations, technology, workplace strategy, talent development, and business transformation initiatives designed to position the firm for the future.
Rob is particularly focused on how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping professional services. He helped spearhead Sterne Kessler’s strategic AI collaboration with Thomson Reuters, including the development of AI-enabled legal workflow solutions to support patent analysis and modernize legal service delivery. Under Rob’s leadership, Sterne Kessler continues to position itself ahead of industry trends — aligning legal strategy, business operations, technology, and workplace innovation to help shape the future of professional services.
Rob focuses on helping the firm stay ahead of major shifts in IP law, technology, and the evolving workplace. Earlier in his tenure, following the passage of the America Invents Act (AIA), he helped position Sterne Kessler for the significant changes created by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and patent office litigation while continuing to offer a broad and diversified intellectual property platform for clients.
Rob is also deeply involved in transforming financial, operational, and legal research technology systems. Serving on the advisory boards for Thomson Reuters Elite, Clarivate, LAC Group, and Pitney Bowes, he has helped guide innovation in financial platforms, legal research services, intellectual property systems, and back-office transformation for law firms.
Sterne Kessler’s innovation efforts have received national recognition, including recognition by the Financial Times for innovative use of technology in the legal industry. Sterne Kessler also earns repeated recognition as one of Washington D.C.’s top workplaces, reflecting the firm’s longstanding commitment to culture, collaboration, and employee engagement.
In addition, Rob led the design and strategy behind Sterne Kessler’s next-generation 76,000-square-foot headquarters in Washington, D.C., helping to create a workplace centered on flexibility, wellness, technology, and intentional collaboration. The office was recognized with the “Best New Office Space” award at the Washington Business Journal’s 2024 Best Real Estate Deals Awards for its innovative workplace design and forward-looking approach to the modern professional-services environment.
Guided by a belief that organizations should anticipate where industries and workplaces are headed and not simply react to where they are today, Rob has consistently focused on helping position the firm ahead of major changes affecting the legal industry. A philosophy that has long guided Rob’s leadership approach comes from Wayne Gretzky: “A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going.” That forward-looking mindset continues to shape his approach to organizational strategy, innovation, culture, and transformation.
Beyond his work at Sterne Kessler, Rob has spent much of his career advising entrepreneurs, startups, nonprofit organizations, and innovation-focused ventures on strategy, operations, growth, governance, and organizational development. He has served on and advised numerous boards and was involved in helping launch a healthcare-focused venture fund supporting emerging companies and breakthrough technologies.
Earlier in his career, Rob worked at the intersection of law, government, and public policy in Washington, D.C. While at Preston Gates & Ellis, he helped manage one of the nation’s largest and most successful government affairs practices. He later served at the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division during the administration of Assistant Attorney General Anne K. Bingaman, where he received the Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Administration in 1993 — one of the Department’s highest honors — recognizing his leadership, operational strategy, organizational management, and contributions to high-profile national initiatives. Rob also earned a master’s degree in political science, further strengthening his understanding of government, institutions, and strategic policy dynamics.
Rob is deeply committed to leadership development, education, and community engagement. He helped found Georgetown University’s MBA Alumni Advisory Board and later founded and chaired a C-level executive leadership board focused on strengthening engagement between senior executives, students, alumni, and the university community. Over the years, he has lectured classes, judged student competitions, mentored future leaders, welcomed incoming students, and delivered the commencement address for Georgetown honors graduates.
In recognition of his longstanding leadership and service, Rob received Georgetown McDonough School of Business’ prestigious C-Level Executive Award, honoring distinguished alumni for exemplary leadership and dedication to the school’s executive degree programs and broader community.
A frequent keynote speaker and panelist, Rob speaks nationally on topics including artificial intelligence, innovation, operational strategy, leadership, workplace evolution, organizational culture, technology transformation, real estate strategy and design, and the future of professional services.
Rob is also deeply involved with the National Brain Tumor Society, which his family helped found more than 35 years ago. Throughout his longstanding involvement with the organization, he has supported fundraising, advocacy, strategic leadership, and innovation initiatives that have helped raise more than $45 million for research, patient support, and advocacy efforts. He also helped support the creation and national recognition of Glioblastoma Awareness Day and played a leadership role in launching a venture fund focused on advancing innovation in brain tumor treatment and research.
Rob is passionate about helping organizations evolve through innovation, leadership, technology, culture, and strategic transformation.
Education
- M.B.A., Georgetown University
- M.A., American University
- B.A., Miami University