Virtual Water Cooler Chat

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Jenni Khuu Katzer, Director Senior Counsel, Operations Legal & Litigation at Oscar Health.  As Senior Counsel, Jenni Katzer supports Operations at Oscar Health. She also serves on the Community Legal Aid SoCal Board of Directors and is the Secretary for a community swim team, and previously served on the Board of Directors for the Orange County Asian American Bar Association and volunteered as a judge pro tem. She has hosted presentations to help attorneys navigate their legal careers, moderated panels to introduce law students to the diversity of opportunities within legal practice and mentored numerous law students and junior associates.  Before going in-house, Jenni spent approximately 15 years in private practice, specializing in commercial disputes and litigation at prominent law firms. During this time, she defended financial institutions and publicly traded companies in state and federal courts across the country. Jenni has also authored/edited treatises and publications, delivered Continuing Legal Education (CLE) presentations, and mediated cases. Outside of work and her community service, Jenni enjoys climbing and practicing Ashtanga yoga.  Connect with Jenni on LinkedIn.   Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.  Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Tina Dorr, Partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP.   Tina Dorr architects sophisticated intellectual property legal strategies, safeguarding innovations and trade secrets. She aligns each client’s IP assets with their distinct business goals, protecting inventions, elevating brands, and shielding assets from competitors. Her approach to legal counsel combines deep technical knowledge with sharp communication skills.  Tina's legal advice and strategies often directly affect her client’s market position and profitability. She helps businesses maintain their competitive edge, boost profit margins, and secure innovations. By translating complex concepts into actionable, tactical plans, Tina’s clients are well-positioned to fully leverage their IP across myriad local, regional, national, and global markets.  Tina's Ph.D. in chemistry and biochemistry bridges scientific innovation and legal protection. She works across technologies that range from chemical and life sciences to aerospace and beyond. This versatility allows her to ably guide scientists and engineers through developing market-advantageous inventions.  Beyond patents, Tina educates clients on IP's business value. She aggressively defends client rights against challenges to their IP assets with the goal of ensuring long-term protection. Her community outreach and relationship-building extend her influence and impact. She continuously cultivates a professional network that supports her clients' broader professional goals.  Connect with Tina on LinkedIn.  Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.  Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Helen Wan, Deputy General Counsel at Jazz at Lincoln Center, where she advises on entertainment, media, intellectual property, business, and technology matters.  Helen is a media lawyer, educator, and author who writes about our complicated relationship with career ambition and the idea of "success." Her debut novel, “The Partner Track," is the story of an Asian American lawyer at an elite global firm who is pursuing the American Dream. Her novel was a Book Club selection of REAL SIMPLE Magazine and The National Association of Women Lawyers, and became the subject of a Washington Post Magazine cover story about Asian Americans shattering glass ceilings in the corporate workplace. “The Partner Track” was adapted for television and is now streaming as an original TV series on Netflix.   Wan is a graduate of Amherst College and The University of Virginia School of Law, where, as a student, she wrote a column for The Law Weekly and where, more recently, she served as the Commencement Speaker in May 2023. After graduation, Wan practiced law in New York City at Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison, the entertainment law firm Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz, and as in-house counsel at media companies including Time Inc. (then a division of TimeWarner), A+E Television Networks, and Hachette Book Group USA, where she was VP & Associate General Counsel.  She currently teaches Media Law at NYU, and serves on the Board of Trustees of The Vermont Studio Center and the Board of Advisors of the New York Women's Bar Association Foundation. She has also served on The Amherst College Executive Committee and the Board of Advisors of The Asian American Arts Alliance, and taught fiction-writing at The Asian American Writers' Workshop and The Writers' Circle in New Jersey.  When not writing or lawyering, Wan enjoys 90s nostalgia, classic Hitchcock films, SNL, reading all kinds of books, and making her young kid laugh. After many years in Brooklyn, she now lives in New Jersey with her family, where she is at work on a new book.  Connect with Helen on LinkedIn.   Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.  Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Mary Fuller, a legal leader whose career reflects the power of taking a non-linear path and building impact across education, public service, and innovation.   Mary is currently the Dean of Lincoln Law School of San Jose, where she leads an institution committed to making legal education more accessible for working adults, first-generation students, and communities historically underrepresented in the legal profession. Her work centers on practical, practice-ready training that prepares students not just to pass the bar, but to serve their communities with confidence and purpose.   Before stepping into higher education leadership, Mary held senior roles across the legal and technology field. Most recently, she served as Regional Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Western Regional Office, where she worked closely with inventors, entrepreneurs, startups, and policymakers to make intellectual property more understandable and more usable as a tool for growth and innovation.   Across her career, Mary has consistently focused on strengthening institutions, aligning mission with real-world outcomes, and expanding opportunity through thoughtful leadership. She brings a deep commitment to equity, access, and public service, and her journey offers a powerful example of how a career can evolve across sectors while staying grounded in purpose.  Connect with Mary on Linkedin.  Our guest interviewer for some of today’s episode is Sarah Foley, Founding Partner of IP Law. A registered U.S. patent attorney with over 18 years of experience counseling clients in all areas of intellectual property law, Sarah has deep expertise within the technology sector, including software, hardware, networking, telecommunications and computer systems.  At the start of her career, Sarah worked for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and her Representative’s work on the IP Subcommittee of the Judiciary inspired her to pursue a career in IP law; During law school, she worked as a Law Clerk at the Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, and as a Legal Intern with the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  Ms. Foley began her legal career at a boutique IP firm that provided her with invaluable training and relationships that she maintains to this day. She gained additional and diverse IP experience at a large national firm before co-founding Barta, Jones & Foley, PLLC in 2016, where she served as a Managing Partner and Chief Diversity Officer. She founded Foley IP Law in 2023.  Ms. Foley has been recognized by Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers® as a Texas Rising Star in 2010, 2020 and 2021, and as a Top Woman Attorney in 2020.  Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn.  Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.  Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Rachel B. Lee, Co-Owner and CMO of StandOut Authority.  Rachel B. Lee is a female founder, business owner, podcast host, mother and stepmother, building Standout Authority and YOUmanize alongside her husband, Joshua B. Lee. Together, they help leaders and organizations find their voice and be chosen—without selling.  Rachel began her career at Walton Isaacson, working on brands like Unilever’s AXE and helping launch some of the earliest social-driven activations, including AXE One Nighty Only, a chapter that taught her how deeply creativity depends on understanding real humans.   In 2016, she earned her MBA from the University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business, and later brought that strategic discipline into roles at Microsoft and Gartner, where she focused on scaling B2B and tech brands.   Featured in places like The Washington Post and Branding Magazine, Rachel has been a LinkedIn Top Voice since 2024.  Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn.  Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.  Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Amee Shah, Founder and Managing Member of BenchView Consulting.  As the founder of Benchview Consulting, Amee helps innovators, entrepreneurs, and organizations navigate the patent system with clarity and confidence. She brings decades of experience and a rare, end-to-end perspective on intellectual property, having worked across nearly every stage of the patent process.  Prior to launching Benchview, Amee served as both a patent examiner and a patent judge, following earlier roles as a naval architect, large-firm associate, and solo practitioner. This non-linear career path—pursued while raising a family—has shaped her practical, balanced approach to problem-solving and decision-making.  At Benchview Consulting, she translates insider knowledge of how patents are examined and adjudicated into actionable strategies that help clients achieve stronger outcomes with fewer surprises. Like many former government employees, a pivotal career transition prompted a re-imagining of work and impact, ultimately leading to the creation of Benchview.  Connect with Amee on LinkedIn.     Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.  Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Lorraine K. Lee, Founder, RISE Learning Solutions.  Lorraine K. Lee is a keynote speaker and the best-selling author of Unforgettable Presence: Get Seen, Gain Influence, and Catapult Your Career. She also teaches popular courses at Stanford Continuing Studies and LinkedIn Learning®. She is passionate about empowering leaders to elevate their presence, influence, and impact, and her insights have been featured in media outlets including CNBC, CNN, Forbes, Bloomberg, Fast Company, and Financial Times.  Lorraine is recognized as a LinkedIn® Top Voice with hundreds of thousands of followers, and previously spent over a decade as a founding editor at companies including LinkedIn® and Prezi.   She received her BSJ from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism and currently resides in San Francisco.  Connect with Lorraine on LinkedIn.  Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.  Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat Podcast features Jacqueline “Jackie” Wright Bonilla, a Director in Sterne Kessler’s Biotechnology & Chemical and Trial & Appellate Practice Groups. An accomplished intellectual property attorney, Jackie spent more than a decade at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) of the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO), including six years as Deputy Chief Administrative Patent Judge.  Jackie presided over hundreds of cases under the America Invents Act (AIA) at the PTAB, including inter partes reviews and post-grant reviews, as well as reexaminations, legacy interferences, and ex parte appeals. Her cases involved biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, biologics, medical devices, chemical compositions, and mechanical technologies. As Deputy Chief Administrative Patent Judge, Jackie managed operations and oversaw all judges and Board staff, including Vice Chief Judges, Lead Judges, and over 200 Administrative Patent Judges. She also developed and implemented USPTO policy, rules, guidance, and procedures regarding Board practices. In addition, Jackie served as Senior Legal Advisor to the USPTO Director regarding practices and policies, and as Acting Director for the USPTO’s Central Reexamination Unit (CRU). Before joining the USPTO, Jackie was a partner at a large law firm, where she was IP office chair in Washington, D.C., and served as a law clerk for the Honorable Randall R. Rader on the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.  Jackie’s practice focuses on life sciences patent litigation and pre-litigation matters, including advising on PTAB challenges and policy, ex parte reexaminations, and federal district court and appellate litigation. She also has experience handling complex patent interferences and developing coordinated litigation strategies for clients involved in both post-grant and district court or ITC proceedings. With a Ph.D. in cellular and molecular pharmacology, Jackie brings deep scientific expertise to matters involving biotechnology, personalized medicine, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, biologics and biosimilars, chemical compositions, and medical devices.  Jackie earned her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and her Ph.D. from the University of Virginia. She holds a B.A. in Biochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley.  Connect with Jackie on LinkedIn.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.  Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Jesse Landry, a technology operator, market narrator, and builder of signal in noisy systems.   Raised in Long Beach, New York, Jesse learned early how to read rooms, move with urgency, and earn trust through service work and early sales roles. That foundation shaped a career rooted in execution, pattern recognition, and clear communication.  Professionally, Jesse operates across two lanes. He works closely with leadership teams as they design and scale engineering organizations, and he publishes daily analysis tracking how capital, talent, and technology are actually moving across the tech ecosystem. His work translates raw activity into usable insight for founders, operators, and investors.  Jesse believes the next generation of leaders won’t win by being louder, but by being clearer: pairing disciplined execution with narrative clarity. This conversation explores how storytelling transforms static ideas into living systems that strengthen communities and sharpen decision-making.  Connect with Jesse on LinkedIn.   Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.  Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Kevin D. Turner, a seasoned business leader and Managing Partner at TNT Brand Strategist, where he specializes in elevating organizational and personal brands through innovative strategies. “Go Grand, Never Bland” is one of his favorite mantras. With a wealth of experience spanning multiple industries, Kevin has successfully pivoted his career five times—from management roles in Fortune 50 companies to leadership positions in venture capital, turnarounds, and non-profit organizations. His global impact includes managing a non-profit into 140 countries and building a thriving business from a side gig over 14 years.   Committed to excellence, Kevin has optimized over 7,000 LinkedIn profiles and trained more than 50,000 individuals on best practices since 2005. His expertise extends to visioneering, team development, and creating disruptive advantages in branding. He has achieved significant successes, including overseeing a $352 million P&L and raising $25.3 million through crowdfunding.   Kevin's philosophy centers on prioritizing customers and championing the Triple Bottom Line—People, Planet, and Profit. He is a sought-after speaker and coach, dedicated to empowering others and fostering high-performance teams, while also holding esteemed positions with notable organizations such as SONY and the American Heart Association.   Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.  Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Jaime Siegel, the founder, CEO and general counsel for Cerebral Assets, an advisory firm that provides guidance related to Intellectual Property matters for global industry participants.   With over 25 years of experience spanning top New York law firms, Sony, and executive management at a Nasdaq-listed patent licensing company, Jaime is a seasoned leader in international intellectual property. In his role(s) at Cerebral Assets, he advises global industry leaders on IP strategy, licensing, litigation, and valuation.   Jaime also serves as Global Director of Licensing for Open Invention Network, helping expand the world’s largest patent non-aggression community. Beyond IP, he is a National Trustee of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum and a dedicated advocate for Teen Cancer America.  Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.  Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Patent Attorney and Managing Director of Eagle IP, Jennifer Che.  Jennifer is a US Patent Attorney with a deep, multi-faceted understanding of the biopharmaceutical industry, currently residing in Hong Kong. She has a strong track record of driving creative and unique global IP strategies for various types of products, research collaborations and business development deals. Having worked as a scientist, patent attorney, and executive over her 20-year career, Jennifer has a deep appreciation and understanding for how to devise IP strategies that take into account both the technical as well as the long-range business needs of an organization.  Jennifer has a strong scientific foundation, from her chemistry degree at MIT to her six years working as a medicinal chemist in drug discovery at Takeda Oncology (formerly Millennium Pharmaceuticals). Prior to joining Eagle IP, she was Vice President of IP and Legal Affairs at Axcella Therapeutics, a Flagship Pioneering originated startup focused on addressing metabolic dysregulation by leveraging amino acid biology. She has a B.S. in Chemistry of MIT and earned her JD from Suffolk Unievrsity Law School.   Jennifer is a well-recognized speaker and is regularly invited to give talks in Hong Kong (HKU, CUHK, HKUST, HK Science Park, MIT Innovation Node), and around the world (US, Europe). She writes regularly on patent law issues and is the founder and author of the blog  chinapatentstrategy.com. Learn more about Eagle IP here and connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn here.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.  Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features author, entrepreneur, and—most of all—teacher Seth Godin.  Seth is probably most well-known as a best-selling author and speaker. In addition to launching one of the most popular blogs in the world, he has written 22 best-selling books, including The Dip, Linchpin, Purple Cow, Tribes, and What To Do When It's Your Turn (And It's Always Your Turn). His book, This is Marketing, was an instant bestseller in countries around the world. In 2024, Seth released THIS IS STRATEGY which is a game-changer to rethink strategy as “the philosophy of becoming.”  His previous books include The Song of Significance and The Practice, and creatives everywhere have made it a bestseller.  Though renowned for his writing and speaking, Seth also founded two companies, Squidoo and Yoyodyne (acquired by Yahoo!). He's credited as the inventor of email marketing (the good kind). Seth has given five TED talks, including two that rank as the most popular of all time.  By focusing on everything from effective marketing and leadership, to the spread of ideas and changing everything, Seth has been able to motivate and inspire countless people around the world.  In 2013, Seth was one of three professionals inducted into the Direct Marketing Hall of Fame. In an astonishing turn of events, in May 2018, he was inducted into the Marketing Hall of Fame as well. He might be the only person in both.   Check out all of Seth’s work, his podcast, and his 35 years of projects on his website.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.  Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat Podcast features Connor Houghton, a partner in Reichman, Jorgensen, Lehman & Feldberg LLP’s Washington, D.C. office.   Connor’s practice is focused on intellectual property and commercial litigation in a wide variety of technologies and sectors, including in cases before federal district and appellate courts, the International Trade Commission (ITC), and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Connor’s experience includes participating in all phases of litigation, from pre-litigation through trial and appeal. He has also managed filing and defending inter partes review proceedings before the Patent Office, and briefed complex issues before district courts and the Federal Circuit.  Connor earned his B.S. in Chemistry from Northeastern University and his law degree from Harvard Law School. Before joining RJLF, he was an associate at Finnegan in Washington, D.C.  Connect with Connor on LinkedIn.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.  Legal Disclaimer: This video is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat Podcast features Thomas Yeh, a Partner at Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton. His practice focuses on patent and trade secret disputes in federal district courts, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and the International Trade Commission. Thomas has successfully litigated dozens of high-profile intellectual property matters, frequently through trial. Most recently, he secured back-to-back jury trial wins, followed by a complainant-side victory at the International Trade Commission that resulted in a nine-figure settlement. In addition, Thomas served as global coordinating counsel for one of the largest worldwide patent enforcement actions in history on behalf of a leading global semiconductor company, simultaneously filing more than 20 patent cases in U.S. district courts, the International Trade Commission, and around the world.  Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn.    Today’s guest interviewer is Camelia Gilani. At the time of this interview, Camelia had been working as a Litigation Assistant at Virtual Patent Gateway for nearly two years. Now, she is 1L studying law at Southwestern Law School in Southern California.  Connect with Camelia on LinkedIn.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.  Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat Podcast features Steven Ngo, the host of 2 Dads 1 Car, a leading podcast that discusses modern fatherhood and the unspoken truths about parenting. By day, he is a technology lawyer at Rivian, a law professor at the University of British Columbia, and a guest lecturer at UC Berkeley.  Steven was named one of Canada’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers by Canadian Lawyer Magazine and serves on the Board of Governors for the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), representing over 80,000 legal professionals across North America. He is also the recipient of the BC Medal of Good Citizenship in recognition of his advocacy work against anti-Asian hate crimes during the pandemic.  On the weekends, you’ll likely find Steven out in nature with his four-year-old daughter, making music with friends on his guitar or piano, or honing his BBQ skills on the patio.  Connect with Steven on LinkedIn.   Our guest interview is Eli Chan, a third-year undergraduate Biology student at the University of Santa Barbara. Through working as a marketing and business development intern for the past two years at Murgitroyd and RWS, he has gained valuable skills in the communication, technology, and legal fields; having conversations with many experts in corporate and intellectual property law has given him a new passion to find a career in patent law. By studying biology, Eli is hoping that he will be able to apply his background to assist with patent ideas and better understand new inventions with biotech and pharma.   Eli has been an ADAPT.legal mentee for the past year, enabling him to meet both in-house and outside counsel, and learn about the processes to enter the field and how to succeed. In his free time, Eli enjoys playing basketball, golfing, and reading sci-fi novels.  Connect with Eli on LinkedIn.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.  Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode features Michelle Gabellini, an intellectual property Paralegal at Juniper Networks.  Michelle Gabellini is an Intellectual Property Program Manager and Paralegal with nearly two decades of experience spanning global technology companies and top law firms. She has managed worldwide patent portfolios, built cross-functional innovation programs, and partnered with leadership to strengthen collaboration between legal, business, and engineering teams. Her career path—from high-stakes IP litigation to building in-house IP operations at Juniper Networks, Plaid, Block, and Capital One—illustrates how she has turned setbacks into stepping stones for growth and innovation. Beyond her legal expertise, Michelle champions diversity, equity, and inclusion, creating initiatives that empower women inventors and amplify underrepresented voices in tech. A mom and dog mom, she balances her love of law with passions for fashion, interiors, and finding beauty in nature, always bringing warmth, creativity, and connection. Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here   Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Wesley White, a Litigation Partner at Orrick.  Wesley is a trial attorney who represents plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes patent disputes in district and administrative courts across the country. His experience resolving complex and strategic problems at the intersection of law, technology, and finance allows him to filter out noise, identify the issues that will resonate most with juries and judges at trial, and present those issues in a relatable manner that helps him secure favorable results for his clients both in and out of the courtroom.  Wesley has guided clients through all stages of litigation, including conducting pre-suit diligence, fact and expert, claim construction, evidentiary and dispositive motions, and post-trial. He has handled complex disputes across a diverse range of technology sectors, including computer hardware and software, networking devices, virtualization and cloud computing, antennas, encryption and compression technology, VOIP telephony, flash memory, e-commerce platforms, video/media streaming, web and mobile applications, life sciences, and medical and surgical devices.  Wesley’s achievements have earned him recognition as a Super Lawyers and Managing IP “Rising Star” in intellectual property disputes, and he was named to Lawdragon’s 2023 Inaugural 500 X Next Generation Rising Stars list. Prior to beginning his legal career, Wesley worked as an analyst for five years with Goldman Sachs.  Connect with Wesley on LinkedIn.   Today’s guest interviewer is Ethan Wo, a curious STEM student and civil engineering graduate from UC Irvine who is taking time to explore the IP space. After working in the construction industry, he is now working at VPG as a Litigation Assistant.  Connect with Ethan on LinkedIn.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here    Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Monica Phillips, President of Spark Plug Labs, a coaching and consulting group, and the Director of Learning, Content and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) at ChIPs, where she developed and continues to run their year-long General Counsel Boot Camp to advance women to the highest levels of leadership.  With more than 20 years of experience leading strategic business teams, Monica Phillips supports leaders at all levels to create thriving and inclusive workplaces through elevating leadership, mindfulness, and emotional well-being. She is the founder of the Legal Academy on Equity and Inclusion and the Legal Leaders Community on Mental Health and Wellbeing, two initiatives that aim to educate, empower, and support legal professionals in creating more diverse, equitable, and healthy workplaces.   Additionally, Monica teaches yoga and meditation and is a founding coach at the Women's Impact Alliance, a global organization that provides coaching and leadership development to women social impact leaders. Connect with Monica on LinkedIn.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.   Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Braxton K. Davis, a prominent Associate General Counsel at Meta (formerly Facebook), where he is a member of the Patents, Licensing & Open Source Team. In this role, Braxton leverages his legal expertise to shape and protect innovations at one of the world’s leading technology companies.  Prior to joining Meta, Braxton was a key member of AT&T’s Intellectual Property Patent Development Team, evaluating incentive concepts and patent portfolios to identify strategic modernization opportunities. His journey in law continued as he advanced from Associate to Partner at Amin, Turocy & Watson, where he gained further recognition for his contributions to intellectual property law.  Dedicated to enhancing the patent profession, Braxton founded the Patent Institute of Training and the National Council on Patent Practicum (NCPP), a non-profit organization to improve quality and diversity in the field. Braxton is currently the Executive Director of NCPP focusing on the effort to debias the IP community. Additionally, Braxton is an entrepreneur, having developed Metric Mate, a tech startup featured on Shark Tank, where he applies his background in electrical engineering and physics to invent connected devices for strength training.  Braxton has earned accolades for his achievements, including recognition in the Georgia Institute of Technology and Georgia State University’s prestigious 40 under 40 awards. Ultimately, Braxton’s multifaceted career exemplifies his commitment to advancing technology, law, and diversity in the patent industry.  Email Braxton at [email protected]. Connect with Braxton on LinkedIn.   Today’s guest interviewer is Ethan Wo, a curious STEM student and civil engineering graduate from UC Irvine who is taking time to explore the IP space. After working in the construction industry, he is now working at VPG as a Litigation Assistant.  Connect with Ethan on LinkedIn.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.  Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Mark Green, a keynote speaker, author, strategic advisor and business & leadership growth coach to CEOs and executive teams worldwide.   With a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington University (majoring in Psychology and minoring in Business Administration), Mark has been coaching business leaders for the past 22 years. He is driven by a relentless passion to liberate human potential and has addressed, coached and advised thousands of business leaders across a wide range of industries; he believes everyone can unlock more of their own potential and, in turn, help their people do the same – driving the business and personal success they envision both at home and in their careers.  Mark uses his integrity, direct style, and powerful intuition to accelerate team performance, decision-making, productivity, revenue, and profitability. His clients also report significantly lower stress, reduced time consumed by the business, and a vastly improved work-life balance.  Connect with Mark on LinkedIn.  Visit Mark’s website.   Buy Activators: A CEO's Guide to Clearer Thinking and Getting Things Done.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.  Legal Disclaimer: This video is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Tiffany Ishihara, a Senior Program Manager at Google specializing in patent prosecution, operations, and matter management.     Tiffany’s career spans over a decade in patent prosecution, with eight years dedicated to Google, starting in the San Francisco office and then moving to the New York office. Her expertise encompasses a wide range of initiatives, including program managing the inaugural launch of Google's Legal Summer Institute and launching Google's patent matter management system. She is currently focused on optimizing legal operations and advancing technological solutions in the patent space.  Connect with Tiffany on LinkedIn.    Today's guest interviewer is Ella Bump, a Litigation Assistant at VPG from Sacramento, California. She is currently studying Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Johns Hopkins University and plans to pursue a career in patent law. Ella is passionate about the intersection of technology and intellectual property and enjoys exploring the innovations that shape the future of law and science while engaging in discussion about ethical dilemmas in engineering.  Connect with Ella on LinkedIn.     Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.  Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat is a special collaboration featuring Dr. Rory Cooper, VPG Founder Ashley Cheung and guest interviewer Shirley Fung representing ADAPT.legal. This is a special collaboration between Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL) at the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt), VPG and ADAPT.legal.  National Medal Laureate Rory A. Cooper, PhD, PLY is the founding director of the HERL, a joint center of the University of Pitt and US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). He is also a VA Senior Research Career Scientist, and the FISA Foundation – Paralyzed Veterans of America Distinguished Professor at Pitt.   Cooper has authored or co-authored over 400 peer-reviewed journal publications and is the author of two books: "Rehabilitation Engineering Applied to Mobility and Manipulation” and “Wheelchair Selection and Configuration”, and co-editor of “An Introduction to Rehabilitation Engineering”, “Warrior Transition Leader: Medical Rehabilitation Handbook”, and the award-winning book “Care of the Combat Amputee”. With over 30 patents awarded or pending, Cooper is an elected member of the National Academy of Engineering and Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, as well as RESNA, IEEE, AIMBE and BMES.   In October 2023, he was awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation by President Biden, and was inducted into the 50th class of the National Inventors Hall of Fame. His students have won numerous awards and are leaders throughout the world.  Connect with Dr. Cooper on LinkedIn.     Ashley Cheung is the creator of Virtual Water Cooler Chat podcast and is the Principal & Founder of VPG.   Guest interviewer Shirley Fung is the Co-Founder and Patent Agent of Akona IP, bringing a wealth of experience to her role in legal operations. With a solid academic foundation, (holding both a bachelor’s and master's from MIT in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science), Shirley has honed her expertise across various esteemed organizations, including big law in Boston, boutique IP firms in the Netherlands and in the US, and a global semiconductor leader.  As a seasoned patent agent, Fung adeptly navigates the complexities of patent law, drawing on her experiences as both outside counsel and in-house. This dual perspective enhances her effectiveness in client relationship management and firm operations. Shirley emphasizes the importance of understanding client needs—often anticipating them before they arise. Her commitment to delivering on promises, coupled with her creative problem-solving skills, allows her to balance the big picture with meticulous attention to detail, making her an invaluable leader in the IP boutique sector.  Connect with Shirley Fung on LinkedIn.    ADAPT.legal was founded in December 2021 when a community of friends from different companies came together to brainstorm ways to grow and support the IP profession.  Learn more about ADAPT.legal here.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.  Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Socheth McCutcheon, a privacy and technology lawyer.   Socheth is founder and President of the National Association of Cambodian American Lawyers, and lives in New Jersey with her husband and two kids.   Connect with Socheth on LinkedIn.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.  Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat is Dina Blikshteyn, a partner at Haynes and Boone, LLP.  Dina co-chairs the firm’s Artificial Intelligence Practice and specializes in patent prosecution, post-grant proceedings, and providing legal opinions on patent infringement and validity. With her extensive background in technology, Dina assists clients across a wide range of industries, including AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and telecommunications.  Dina is highly regarded for her insights into AI and machine learning and, prior to her legal career, she developed high-frequency trading systems for financial markets, giving her a unique perspective on the intersection of law, technology, and business.  Connect with Dina on LinkedIn.    The guest interviewer for this episode is Shenique Reid. Shenique is a dedicated case manager in the healthcare field, supporting clients with Medicaid and Medicare services. She also interns at Virtual Patent Gateway as a litigation and communication specialist, gaining exposure to legal processes. Shenique is a member of the Diversity Committee of the PTAB Bar Association and is passionate about equity and advocacy. With a strong commitment to learning and justice, she aspires to attend law school and become an attorney who fights for others.  Connect with Shenique on LinkedIn.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.  Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Kevin Jakel, Founder and CEO of Unified Patents, a company that deters non-practicing entities from monetizing patents in strategic technology areas.   Prior to founding Unified Patents, Kevin served as Intuit’s Head of IP Litigation. Kevin previously practiced as a patent litigator with Kaye Scholer LLP and Howrey LLP and advised clients on intellectual property strategy, litigation, and patent prosecution. Kevin began his career in IP as a patent examiner at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.   Kevin has a JD from George Washington University Law School and a BS in mechanical engineering from UCLA.  Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn.  Learn more about Unified Patents.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.  Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat Podcast features Kandis Gibson, an attorney in the Washington, D.C. office of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius. Kandis focuses her practice on Section 337 proceedings at the U.S. International Trade Commission. She has participated in over 50 Section 337 investigations involving unfair trade practices, including patent, trademark, and copyright infringement, and misappropriation of trade secrets. Kandis also has experience in complex civil litigation matters and has handled matters before U.S. District Courts and U.S. Agencies, including representing clients in enforcement issues related to Section 337 exclusion orders before the United States Customs and Border Protection.   Kandis is a graduate of Cornell University and Howard University School of Law. She is an active Cornell University alumna and serves on the President’s Council of Cornell Women. Kandis is the Immediate Past President of the Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia. During her term, the WBA focused on equipping women lawyers with the skills necessary to become the leaders of tomorrow. Kandis is a member of the American Bar Association, the International Trade Commission Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Intellectual Property Law Association. She serves on the Board of Trustees of I Dream Public Charter School in Washington, D.C. Connect with Kandis on LinkedIn.    Today’s guest interviewer is Sydney Ricks, who recently earned a Bachelor of Science in Statistics with a minor in Music from Virginia Tech. During her undergraduate studies, she spent two years with Virtual Patent Gateway, serving first as a Learning Engineer and later as a Data Analyst and Digital Media Strategist, while also assisting with litigation preparation. With a passion for learning and interdisciplinary work, she plans to explore roles at the intersection of data, creativity, and technology. Connect with Sydney on LinkedIn.   Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG. Learn more about VPG here.   Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

Today’s Virtual Water Cooler Chat podcast episode features Dr. Wayne Zou. Dr. Zou is one of the founding Partner of Bayes PLLC, and has 15 years of experience in patent practice, including patent procurement, client counseling, patent portfolio management & transactions, post-grant proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and patent litigation in U.S. federal district courts and Section 337 investigations at the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC).  Dr. Zou has developed and managed patent portfolios each including thousands of patents for multiple clients, and prepared and prosecuted thousands of patent applications in the electrical, software, Internet, electro-mechanical, medical device, and business methods fields, such as in the areas of semiconductor device and manufacturing, wireless communication, video coding, processor and circuit design, automobile, artificial intelligence, and display technology. He has also been actively involved in over twenty patent office post-grant proceedings, representing both patent owners and petitioners, and has also assisted in due diligence and opinion work on semiconductor device, manufacturing, and medical device-related patent matters. In addition, his extensive technical experience in the areas of semiconductors, microfabrication, MEMS, biosensors, microfluidics, telecommunications, and networking has allowed him to assist in patent litigation matters related to thin film transistors (TFTs), LCD panels, processors, biometric devices, and Internet services in federal district courts and ITC.  He has published 14 peer-reviewed journal articles; one of his journal papers related to biosensors and microfluidics was recognized with the IEEE Sensor Journal Best Paper Award in 2009.  Prior to founding Bayes PLLC, Dr. Zou practiced at both general practice law firms and IP boutique law firms, including Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox PLLC, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, and Dentons US LLP.  Connect with Dr. Zou on LinkedIn.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.  Legal Disclaimer: This postcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

Today’s spotlight features Katherine Rubino, a seasoned IP Lawyer and Pharmacist. As a Partner at Wiggin & Dana, Katherine combines her expertise in legal writing, patent strategy, and corporate governance to drive innovation. With over six years as a licensed Patent Attorney, she has advised clients on complex intellectual property matters and regulatory compliance. Her career also includes roles as an IP Consultant at KAR Strategy and a Pharmacist at ACCRX, INC., where she developed customized pharmaceutical solutions for patients with rare and complex conditions.  Renowned for her intellectual acumen, Katherine has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Fox Business, and Nature Biotechnology for her contributions to legal and scientific advancements. She chairs the Chemistry and the Law Division of the American Chemical Society and actively supports the entrepreneurial ecosystem by providing pro-bono legal counsel through MIT Sandbox and the Oregon Bioscience Incubator. Katherine’s dedication to fostering innovation and her exceptional ability to bridge scientific and legal disciplines make her a leader in life sciences and intellectual property law.  Connect with Katherine on LinkedIn.    The guest interviewer for this episode is Shenique Reid. Shenique is a dedicated case manager in the healthcare field, supporting clients with Medicaid and Medicare services. She also interns at Virtual Patent Gateway as a litigation and communication specialist, gaining exposure to legal processes. Shenique is a member of the Diversity Committee of the PTAB Bar Association and is passionate about equity and advocacy. With a strong commitment to learning and justice, she aspires to attend law school and become an attorney who fights for others.  Connect with Shenique on LinkedIn.   Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.  Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode features Nick Groombridge, a founding partner of Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP, where he represents clients in their most crucial patent and trade secret cases.  Nick has been lead counsel in over 150 patent cases in federal district courts, has tried dozens of bench and jury trials, and has argued more than 30 cases in the Federal Circuit. He has litigated patents across a wide range of life-sciences and other technology areas, including pharmaceuticals, biologics, drug delivery systems, genetic analysis and medical devices, as well as software, semiconductors, wireless networking, consumer electronics, specialty chemicals, automotive parts, and financial services, and has been called an “incredibly good trial attorney who takes the time to master every detail of a case and dominates the courtroom with his knowledge of both the law and the facts.”   Nick is also an adjunct professor at NYU Law School and an active board member with several non-profit organizations.   Connect with Nick on LinkedIn.   Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.  Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode features Kevin McNish, managing member of the Maine law firm McNish, PLLC. Kevin represents clients in  inter partes reviews, post-grant reviews, ex parte reexaminations, and other proceedings in the United States Patent and Trademark Office. With first-chair experience spanning more than 90 IPRs and other post-grant proceedings, he has been repeatedly recognized as one of the most prolific and effective post-grant practitioners in the United States. He also maintains an active appellate practice at the Federal Circuit.   Outside of his practice, Kevin is a committed member of the PTAB Bar Association, where he serves as Chair of the Technology Committee and the District Court / International Trade Commission Desk Editor for the Association’s biweekly PTAB Roundup newsletter.  He also regularly speaks about practice before the PTAB and Federal Circuit and has spoken at national events hosted by the PTAB Bar Association and the Practising Law Institute (PLI).  Kevin's writing has been published in IAM and The Patent Lawyer, and he has been quoted in IAM, Law360, Bloomberg Law, and Legaltech News on topics such as practice before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, recent Federal Circuit decisions, and legal technology and practice management.  Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.    Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode features Josepher Li, a partner at the Newport Beach, California-based IP litigation firm, Armond Wilson LLP. Josepher has a robust IP litigation practice spanning nationally in federal courts and before the U.S. Patent Office. An MIT-trained engineer, he has litigated patent, trade secret, and copyright cases involving all types of technologies. In 2024, Benchmark Litigation selected Josepher to its “40 & Under” list of top litigation attorneys.  Josepher’s practice has also included strategic patent procurement, including prosecuting patent applications through allowance before the U.S. Patent Office and managing patent portfolios. He leverages his background as a registered patent attorney to guide clients through complex patent matters both in and outside of court. Connect with Josepher on LinkedIn.   Our guest interview is Eli Chan, a third-year undergraduate Biology student at the University of Santa Barbara. Through working as a marketing and business development intern for the past two years at Murgitroyd and RWS, he has gained valuable skills in the communication, technology, and legal fields; having conversations with many experts in corporate and intellectual property law has given him a new passion to find a career in patent law. By studying biology, Eli is hoping that he will be able to apply his background to assist with patent ideas and better understand new inventions with biotech and pharma. Eli has been an ADAPT.legal mentee for the past year, enabling him to meet both in-house and outside counsel, and learn about the processes to enter the field and how to succeed. In his free time, Eli enjoys playing basketball, golfing, and reading sci-fi novels. Connect with Eli on LinkedIn.   Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG. Learn more about VPG here.   Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode features Phong Dinh, Assistant General Counsel at Microsoft, where he leads a patent team supporting Microsoft’s Cloud and AI businesses, including worldwide patent portfolio development, IP counseling, M&A transactions, IP licensing, open-source usage, and strategic partnerships for Microsoft.  He also leads the company’s Standard Essential Patent (SEP) strategies with internal and external stakeholders, including management of the company’s relationships with patent pools.    Prior to Microsoft, Phong practiced in Washington D.C. at Goodwin Procter, where he specialized in IP litigation, patent prosecution, and licensing.  Phong is is passionate about helping others to join the STEM communities and leads ADAPT.legal’s Communications Committee.  Outside of work, Phong is a loving father and a dog lover. He also enjoys hiking and photography.  Connect with Phong on LinkedIn.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.    Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat Podcast features Dr. Sudipta Dasmohapatra. Senior Associate Dean of MBA Programs and Professor of the Practice in Business Analytics in the Marketing area at Georgetown's McDonough School of Business.   Dr. Dasmohapatra launched Georgetown’s Master's in Business Analytics program in 2021 and brings extensive expertise in data science, focusing on applications in marketing and healthcare. With over 10 years of consulting experience, she has worked with industry, government, and nonprofit organizations on complex analytics projects.   Prior to her position at Georgetown, Dr. Dasmohapatra was Director of MS in Statistical Science at Duke University and jointly worked as a faculty at the Fuqua School of Business, as well as spending over 10 years as a tenured faculty at NC State's Institute of Advanced Analytics. She previously served on the board of the Statistical and Mathematical Sciences Institute, championing diversity in mathematical sciences.  At Georgetown, she is working on several initiatives, including the most recent women's circle in the MBA program called "empowerHER".    Connect with Sudipta on LinkedIn.   Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.  Legal Disclaimer: This video is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat Podcast features Arthur Uratani, Director of Marketing and Outreach at Bookoff McAndrews, PLLC. Arthur spends his life doing what brings him joy. He relishes connection and promoting the people, things, and causes he takes an interest in. As a Marketing Director at the law firm of Bookoff McAndrews, he handles professional development coaching, branding, graphic design, presentations, pitches, events, digital media, social media, rankings and article submissions, and more. Besides his marketing work, Arthur is also a Sculpt Instructor and Coach, a Public Speaking Coach, and a current board member and former President of the Legal Marketing Association Mid-Atlantic Region.    For fun outside of work (which he does consider fun!), Arthur enjoys traveling. His favorite countries in the world are Japan and Switzerland. He is an environmentalist and promotes sustainable living and green policy and ideas in various forms.  Connect with Arthur on LinkedIn.  Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Eva Kalivas-Krieger, Founder and Board Member of Empower Women That Rock (EWTR).   Eva is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary, Certified Plan Advisor Fiduciary through The National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA) and has been a financial advisor since 1990.   In 1999, Eva co-founded EPIC Retirement Services Consulting, which specialized in qualified retirement plans and was built around providing clients with excellence, principle, integrity and care (EPIC). Then, in 2014, Eva co-founded Global Retirement Partners (GRP), a hybrid RIA tailored for the specific needs of independent, retirement plan advisors. EPIC and GRP were acquired by HUB International Northeast, in 2019, with Eva staying on as Senior Vice President of Retirement and Private Wealth through 2024.   In 2024 Eva founded EWTR (www.womenrock.world), a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a robust network of female executives and fostering meaningful mentorships. She serves as a member of Alma Bank’s Board of Directors, is actively involved at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City, and is a member of Leadership 100 (a non-profit organization whose mission is to advance the Orthodox Faith and the life-giving legacy of Hellenism in America), Women in Pensions, Beta Gamma Sigma, the Golden Key Honor Society, and the Hellenic American Women’s Council and the American Women of Greece.   Eva was named as one of The National Association of Plan Advisors top Defined Contribution (DC) Advisor Teams in 2024 and 2022, as well as being listed as one of their Top Women Advisors in the “Captains” category* every year between 2020 and 2024, acknowledging her contribution to the retirement industry and for bringing excellence to the profession every year.   Eva supports the Athletic Program at UC Davis and Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF). She is the author of the book I Get Knocked Down – A Woman’s Survival Guide to Business and Life, originally published in 2008 and currently available on Amazon.   Eva lives in New York with her husband, Bob, and their daughter, Nikolette.  Connect with Eva on LinkedIn.   Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here. 

This episode features Jason Harrier, Founder and General Counsel of IP Copilot, an AI-driven idea management platform designed to identify and facilitate the sharing of the best ideas within organizations. His mission is to empower innovators by streamlining the process of idea discovery and collaboration.    Prior to joining IP Copilot, Jason was the Head of IP at Plaid, a pioneering fintech company that provides essential infrastructure for sharing financial information. In this role, he developed and implemented strategic IP initiatives that strengthened the company's IP position and was the legal lead for Plaid's AI initiatives, establishing its cross-functional AI Task Force and Enterprise AI Policy.     Before his tenure at Plaid, Jason served as Chief Patent Counsel at Capital One, where his team successfully built a robust patent program over four years, establishing the largest patent portfolio among financial institutions. His team not only enhanced Capital One's intellectual property strategy but also cultivated a culture of innovation within the organization, growing the inventor community from under 200 all-time inventors to over 1,500 active inventors.    An accomplished speaker, Jason frequently shares his insights on patent program growth, innovation discovery, inventor engagement and recognition, enterprise AI usage policies, and the emerging opportunities of AI in the IP profession. With a commitment to recognizing innovation and protecting valuable ideas, Jason continues to be a thought leader in the intersection of technology and intellectual property. Connect with Jason on LinkedIn.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Sasha Strauss, a brand strategist with over 25 years of experience, defining brands for leading corporations, philanthropies, faiths, and academic institutions. Sasha’s distinct and direct approach to how brands and leadership must communicate is the foundation for his brand strategy consultancy, Innovation Protocol (IP). Their ability to inspire while they inform is why brands like Nestlé, PayPal, LEGO, Google, Disney, and Korn Ferry have called on their consulting and thought leadership since 2006. While running IP as CEO, Sasha has been a professor for 18 years, concurrently teaching brand strategy at UCLA, USC, and UCI business schools. That coursework, coupled with IP’s client work for innovators, directly impacts Sasha’s impassioned keynote speeches at the world’s largest conferences.  Connect with Sasha on LinkedIn.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Saurabh Gupta, an IP attorney who has represented patent clients before federal district courts, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), and the Federal Circuit.  Saraubh is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and has litigated patents in a wide variety of technical areas, from pharmaceuticals to consumer electronics to social media applications.  He received his J.D. from Georgetown Law, where he was a Founding Staff Editor of the Georgetown Law Technology Review, his Ph.D. in Biological Engineering from MIT, his master's degree in electrical engineering from Princeton, and his bachelor's in technology from the Indian Institute of Technology.  In 2010, Saurabh’s Ph.D. thesis was awarded the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Grand Challenges research award of $600,000, as one of the five most innovative solutions to pressing global health problems that year. It involved designing and delivering genetic circuits (including CRISPR) to tackle microbial infections.  Connect with Saraubh on LinkedIn.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat podcast features three Gen Z paralegals, Bijan Khaghani, Crystal Kang, and Theo Ennis, who are currently working on the team at Groombridge, Wu, Baughman, & Stone, LLP, as a step in their journey toward a degree in law. In this conversation, they explore shared experiences, growth in the legal profession, and the value of networking and mentorship in their careers.  Bijan Khaghani aspires to become a lawyer committed to advocacy and mentorship. He graduated cum laude from Kenyon College in 2023 with a B.A. in Sociology and learning meaningful lessons during his time at Kenyon in and outside the classroom.  Throughout his life, community has been central to Bijan’s identity. At Kenyon, he served as Chairperson of the Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Vice President of Student Life, demonstrating his commitment to fostering a more inclusive campus. Beyond academics, Bijan actively organized and fundraised for local and national causes, including New Directions, a domestic-abuse shelter in Knox County, Ohio, and gun-violence prevention organizations across the United States.  Mentorship is one of Bijan's greatest passions. He believes in uplifting others and fostering an environment where everyone can thrive. Bijan strives to embody these values in both his personal and professional life, mentoring young professionals and building connections within the legal community. As he continues to develop his career, Bijan aspires to become not only a skilled lawyer but also a compassionate advocate, dedicated to empowering others and driving meaningful change.  Connect with Bijan on LinkedIn.    Crystal Kang supports lawyers in patent litigation cases, which informs and inspires her own aspirations to pursue a career in intellectual property law representing innovators working at the cutting-edge of science and technology. At the University of Pennsylvania, Crystal was a Research Assistant at the Penn Carey Law School’s Center for Technology, Innovation & Competition where she explored the legal implications of advances in quantum technology. She also helped establish PIT@Penn, the first organization of her university dedicated to public interest technology, was a Legal Humanities Fellow at the Collegium Institute, and worked as a Programming & Communications Associate at the Penn Undergraduate Law Journal.  Passionate about mentorship and outreach, Crystal advises students though events hosted by organizations such as the Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics in Pennsylvania and Asian Americas for Equality’s Youth Center in New York. She has also led several projects donating to and fundraising for the Ali Forney Center, a New York-based non-profit organization that provides wrap-around services for LGBTQ+ homeless youth.  She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Arts & Sciences in 2022 with a B.A. in Physics, summa cum laude, and a concentration in Computer Techniques.   Connect with Crystal on LinkedIn.    Theo Ennis graduated cum laude from Kenyon College with a B.A. in Philosophy in 2023 and will be starting at The New York University School of Law in August.  Connect with Theo on LinkedIn.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Alyssa Gangaram, an Illustrator born and raised in Schenectady, New York. She began drawing art inspired by her favorite books in elementary school, studied traditional techniques through middle school, and her digital art journey began in high school.  At 16, murals for local schools were her step into freelance art. Now, her work is based in storytelling through Illustration, with a focus on colors, light, and shapes.  While a student in college studying Art and Business, she is developing work for murals, animated short films, and book Illustrations among other projects. Alyssa is passionate about building worlds and characters in her illustrations, appreciating the intentionally inherent to Entertainment Design for Animation. This also translates to her commercial work- she enjoys exploring ideas with her clients and bringing them to life so their stories can be told.   When not drawing in her home office, she can be found with her friends at a local cafe trying the newest seasonal latte or at her local church putting together fun events with her peers in the community!  Connect with Alyssa on LinkedIn.   Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat podcast features Janet Bruins on her personal and professional journey, including how her book, Expecting It All, came to be.  Janet holds bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of Michigan, and a Master of Science in engineering from Purdue University. With over fifteen years of experience as a professional engineer, she is a strong advocate for STEM education and global experience opportunities for young professionals. Janet has mentored many engineering students, connecting them with underserved communities in Honduras, India, and the Philippines, to address local climate change challenges.   The birth of her daughter sparked a transformative shift in Janet’s life. Seeing the overwhelming focus on maternal responsibilities and a lack of focus on personal fulfillment for mothers, she now dedicates herself to empowering women to pursue their aspirations. Cultivating personal growth and ambition among women has become her primary mission and Expecting It All guides mothers through the transformative journey from woman to parent, encouraging them to dream beyond self-sacrifice.  In 2018, Janet earned her Master of Business Administration degree from Georgetown University and now works in corporate finance. She lives with her husband and daughter in Virginia.  Connect with Janet on LinkedIn.     Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat podcast features Christopher Y. Chan, who leads a team of over 70 lawyers across Asia as the APAC General Counsel at Jones Lang LaSalle. Prior to his current position, he helped grow e-commerce in Southeast Asia at pioneering companies Lazada Singapore and RedMart. He has clerked for the Hon. Raymond T. Chen at the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and was a patent litigator for Finnegan Henderson. Chris has industry expertise in tech, transportation, logistics, media, mobile, e-commerce, FMCG, food, alcohol, pharmaceuticals, and commercial real estate. He has been recognized for his work with numerous awards, including NAPABA's Best Lawyers Under 40, the Association of Corporate Counsel's Top 10 30-Somethings, and Asia Legal Business' South East Asia's In-house Lawyer of the Year, and even his law school's Distinguished Recent Graduate of the Year. Chris has diverse background, expertise, and leadership skills from working at an AmLaw 100 firm, in-house MNC, US judiciary, nonprofits, management consulting, and start-ups in Asia and the US.   Chris is a sought-after speaker on start-up law, intellectual property, leadership, and diversity issues. He has appeared on HGTV's “House Hunters International,” “My First Place," and MediaCorp's "Your Personal Data, Our Responsibility.” Chris is also a recognized leader in his community, having served on the Association of Corporate Counsel Singapore Board, President of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association Washington DC, and its Educational Foundation. Chris enjoys rock climbing, scuba diving, sailing, and hosting at his rooftop craft beer speakeasy in Singapore.   Connect with Chris on LinkedIn.    Our guest interview is Eli Chan, a third-year undergraduate Biology student at the University of Santa Barbara. Through working as a marketing and business development intern for the past two years at Murgitroyd and RWS, he has gained valuable skills in the communication, technology, and legal fields; having conversations with many experts in corporate and intellectual property law has given him a new passion to find a career in patent law. By studying biology, Eli is hoping that he will be able to apply his background to assist with patent ideas and better understand new inventions with biotech and pharma.   Eli has been an ADAPT.legal mentee for the past year, enabling him to meet both in-house and outside counsel, and learn about the processes to enter the field and how to succeed. In his free time, Eli enjoys playing basketball, golfing, and reading sci-fi novels.  Connect with Eli on LinkedIn.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.    Legal Disclaimer: This video is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat podcast episode features Andrew C.M. Cooper, an internationally recognized executive leader and apologist for compassionate business practices.   Andrew made history as the first Millennial and Black executive to serve as General Counsel of UPS Airlines, the world’s largest logistics airline, with over 20,000 employees operating in 220 countries; his team was essential to the success of Operation Warp Speed, the United States pandemic vaccine relief effort.   Andrew helps organizations regain and retain high performance through leadership transformation. Published in August 2024, his first book, The Ethical Imperative, was praised for its compelling argument that ethical considerations should be a primary focus for businesses, urging leaders to prioritize social responsibility and long-term sustainability over short-term profits, making it a must-read for executives seeking to navigate modern business with conscience and integrity.  Learn more about Andrew Cooper here.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.    Legal Disclaimer: This episode is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

Today’s Virtual Water Cooler Chat podcast episode features Jonathan Stroud, General Counsel at Unified Patents, LLC.   In his role at Unified Patents, Jon manages a growing team of diverse and talented attorneys, and oversees a docket of administrative challenges, appeals, licensing, pooling, and district court work in addition to trademark, copyright, administrative, amicus, policy, marketing, and corporate matters.   Prior to Unified, Jon was a litigator with Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP, and prior to that, he was a patent examiner at the USPTO.   He earned his J.D. with honors from the American University Washington College of Law, his B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Tulane University, and his M.A. in Print Journalism from the University of Southern California.   In his spare time, Jon enjoys teaching, writing, and speaking on patent and administrative law.  Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.    Legal Disclaimer: This video is posted for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. 

Disclaimer: The content of this discussion is for educational purposes. The opinions expressed here belong solely to Janice Jabido and do not reflect the views of Peloton Interactive. This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Janice Jabido, Managing Director, IP Litigation & Licensing for Peloton Interactive. Peloton uses technology and design to connect the world through fitness, empowering people to be the best version of themselves anywhere, anytime. Janice is responsible for all aspects of intellectual property disputes, including litigation and post-grant review as well as developing strategies to manage and license patents, trade secrets, copyrights, and trademark portfolios. She also provides counsel on general, transactional, and compliance client matters related to intellectual property.  Prior to joining Peloton, Janice was Director & Senior IP Counsel for Pratt & Whitney, a world leader in the design, manufacture, and service of commercial and military aircraft engines; prior to moving in-house, she spent nearly a decade in private practice and has litigated in many district courts throughout the country as well as the Federal Circuit, the International Trade Commission (ITC), and before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.  Janice serves as Peloton’s corporate sponsor of the Peloton Pride Employee Resource Group (ERG) and has previously served as a vice-chair of the diversity committee of the PTAB Bar Association. She has also been active on the board of the National Filipino American Lawyers Association as Regional Governor, Secretary, Vice President for Membership and At-Large. In addition, Janice served as secretary for the Asian American Bar Association of Greater Chicago.  Janice received her J.D. and B.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA. She has also spent visiting semesters studying at the University of Chicago and Cambridge University, Trinity College in England. Outside of work and enjoying her family time, Janice also volunteers as a firefighter and EMT in her hometown.  Connect with Janice on LinkedIn.    Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here. 

Today’s episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features McNeal Maddox, an independent brand consultant and former Group Director of Brand Strategy at Innovation Protocol, a Los Angeles-based brand strategy consultancy.   Legends and stories have always intrigued him, but understanding the deeper meaning contained within them has driven McNeal’s creative focus for years. As a student at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA, he channeled his interest in creative storytelling and problem-solving into a degree in graphic design. His desire to understand the "why" behind the marketing communications he created for ERP software and investment finance companies led him back to college to complete his MBA at the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business; his innate curiosity and desire to use design thinking to solve business challenges have helped him deliver strategic B2B brand solutions for enterprise clients across a range of industries including gaming (Sony Playstation), bio-tech (Amgen), enterprise software (Microsoft), logistics (Prologis) and semiconductors (NXP).   McNeal draws inspiration from the magic that happens when timeless wisdom meets the latest innovation. A husband, a father of two, and a maker at heart, he enjoys solving puzzles and exploring ways to scale small ideas to achieve bigger impact.  Connect with McNeal on LinkedIn.     Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Megan F. Raymond, Partner, Groombridge Wu Baughman & Stone, LLP.   Megan is one of the top 50 women in Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) trials, representing clients in over 100 post-grant proceedings to date. She also tries patent cases in federal district courts and in the International Trade Commission and argues appeals before the Federal Circuit.  Ranked in Chambers USA as a leading practitioner for Intellectual Property: Patent, Chambers describes Megan as having expertise in PTAB proceedings and describes her as “a very smart and capable lawyer, who represents clients in a very effective way.” She has also been recognized by IAM 1000 and The Legal 500, as “a rising star who can handle difficult arguments and witnesses with grace and effectiveness.”, and was named to the PTAB Bar Association’s “Top 50 Women in PTAB Trials” list in 2019 and 2021. Megan also authored the latest edition of PLI’s treatise, Post-Grant Proceedings Before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.  Megan currently serves as Vice President of the PTAB Bar Association, and is also the chair of the Federal Circuit Bar Association’s Patent Litigation Committee.  She previously served as a chair of the Federal Circuit Bar Association’s PTAB and Mock Argument Committees, and served previously as the vice-chair of the PTAB Bar Association’s Programming Committee and Women’s Committee. On the Women’s Committee she worked on preparing the PTAB Bar Association Women at the PTAB report on gender diversity in the PTAB. She received the Federal Circuit Bar Association’s George Hutchinson Committee Award recognizing committee leadership in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2023. She is a frequent speaker on developments in patent law, including topics primarily related to the PTAB.  Megan was the Managing Editor of Virginia Law and Technology at the University of Virginia School of Law. Before law school, Megan was a research fellow at the National Institutes of Health in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Laboratory of Immunoregulation (Center for Biologics, Evaluation, and Research), where she coauthored papers on vaccine design and development.  Megan received her A.B. in Biochemical Sciences from Harvard University, and her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law. She was a clerk to the Hon. Haldane Robert Mayer of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.  Connect with Megan on LinkedIn.     Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Franklin Chu, a senior associate at Gemini Law LLP.   Franklin holds a Chemical Engineering degree from the Cooper Union (New York, NY) and is licensed to practice in Washington state, Texas, and before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Prior to joining Gemini Law, Franklin was an associate in the PTAB Practice Group of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati (Seattle, WA) and an associate in the intellectual property group of Baker McKenzie (Dallas, TX).   Franklin has experience in both patent litigation and patent prosecution and with a wide range of technologies. Franklin is conversational in Mandarin Chinese and Taiwanese. On weekends, he enjoys exploring various hikes in the PNW area.  Connect with Franklin on LinkedIn.     Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here. 

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Ellyar Y. Barazesh, Senior Associate in the Intellectual Property group at Baker Botts, residing in the Austin, Texas office  Ellyar's practice focuses on patent prosecution and counseling, post-grant proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), and patent litigation. He has significant experience working with clients in a wide range of technology areas, including computer hardware and software, control systems, artificial intelligence, networking technologies, location tracking systems, video and image processing, semiconductor devices, data encryption, graphical user interfaces, and medical devices.   Prior to joining the firm, Ellyar was a Senior Patent Counsel at Unified Patents, LLC. There, he focused on PTAB proceedings, reexaminations before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and international opposition proceedings. He has also served as a patent examiner at the USPTO, examining patent applications related to video compression and imaging.   Ellyar earned his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. During his undergraduate studies, he worked at a multinational engineering company researching optical systems and is a co-inventor on a U.S. patent related to his research. Ellyar earned his JD from Georgetown University Law Center, where he received the Leon Robbin Patent Award for achieving the highest grades in patent law courses of his graduating class, and served as a member of The Tax Lawyer.  Connect with Ellyar on LinkedIn.  Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.    Learn more about VPG here.