Andrew G. Maher, PhD

Overview

Andrew Maher counsels clients on intellectual property strategy in areas related to chemistry and materials science. His practice centers on US and international patent prosecution, and he works with clients in industry and academia across a range of technologies, including electrochemical and energy storage devices, batteries, water treatment and desalination, critical mineral recovery, gas separation, carbon capture, membrane chemistry, microfluidics, ultrasensitive assay platforms, medical devices, agriculture technology, and additive manufacturing.

Andrew develops and manages global IP portfolios for clients ranging from early-stage start-ups to established public companies, including patent preparation and prosecution, trade secret protection, freedom-to-operate analysis and counseling, competitive landscaping, IP diligence, and IP transactions/licensing. He also provides litigation support and regulatory compliance counseling for public companies. In developing IP strategy, Andrew pays close attention to each client's business goals and competitive position, working to build portfolios that support those goals over the long term.

Prior to joining Wolf Greenfield, Andrew completed his doctoral research in chemistry at MIT under the supervision of Professor Daniel G. Nocera. His research focused on the chemistry of small molecule activation and fuel formation, with a particular focus on reactions relevant to solar and biological energy conversion. Using synthetic, electrochemical, and optical spectroscopic techniques, Andrew investigated the mechanisms of electrocatalytic and photocatalytic hydrogen generation by several classes of nickel- and cobalt-containing complexes and materials.

Experience

• Conducted IP diligence on an acquisition and integrated the target's patent portfolio into the client's existing estate, strengthening claims and aligning strategy with the client's commercial goals.

• Counseled a client on asserting foreign patents against infringers and defended those patents against invalidity petitions, preserving key rights and forcing a favorable settlement.

• Pivoted claim strategy in a mature patent portfolio to cover a client's next-generation product platform.

• Filed third-party submissions against a competitor's pending applications, forcing narrowed claims and removing a threat to the client's commercial activities.

Recognition

• Named to the list of Massachusetts Rising Stars by Super Lawyers (2025) 
• Academic Leadership Scholarship for top ranked student in first year law class, Suffolk University Law School
• Rehnquist Award for Excellence in Professional Responsibility, Suffolk University Law School
• Jurisprudence Award in Contracts, Suffolk University Law School
• Jurisprudence Award in Civil Procedure, Suffolk University Law School 
• Jurisprudence Award in Constitutional Law, Suffolk University Law School
• Jurisprudence Award in Business Entity Fundamentals, Suffolk University Law School
• Jurisprudence Award in Basic Federal Income Tax, Suffolk University Law School
• Jurisprudence Award in Secured Transactions, Suffolk University Law School
• Best Oral Advocate Award in Legal Practice Skills, Suffolk University Law School
• Distinguished Brief Award in Legal Practice Skills, Suffolk University Law School
• Suffolk University Trustee Academic Scholarship
• MIT Energy Initiative Eni Energy Fellowship (2011)

Interests

• Rooting for Boston sports teams
• Running
• Playing tennis