Virtual Water Cooler Chat

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Stephen “Shed” Shedletzky, a keynote speaker and renowned expert in leadership and organizational culture, known for his compelling insights on fostering speak-up cultures where every voice is heard. With over a decade of experience alongside Simon Sinek, Shed has empowered countless organizations to transform their workplace dynamics through humility, communication, and psychological safety. As a motivational speaker, he sheds light on the importance of creating environments that inspire trust, innovation, and collaboration (no pun intended).  A sought-after speaker, coach, and advisor, Shed has led hundreds of keynote presentations, workshops, and leadership development programs around the world, and as a thought-leader on psychological safety in the workplace, he supports leaders and organizations in all industries where human beings work. His book, Speak-Up Culture: When Leaders Truly Listen, People Step Up, explores what a speak-up culture is, what the role of leadership is in fostering and maintaining one, and how you can advance your leadership journey through your actions. 
Learn more about Shed 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 features Aparna Watal, Partner, Halfords IP - Patent and Trademark Attorneys. 
Aparna is a highly skilled trademark attorney practicing in Australia and New Zealand. She has extensive experience in advising clients on all aspects of trademark matters, from brand selection, expansion and commercial exploitation to brand enforcement. Aparna also advises on domain name disputes in Australia and New Zealand and is highly regarded for the commerciality of her advice and extracting the best outcomes for her clients in tricky and legally complex contentious and non-contentious matters. 
Aparna’s expertise extends to navigating the intricate landscape of Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP), where she collaborates with fashion houses and indigenous communities alike, offering tailored solutions to address their unique needs and challenges. For more details, check out Aparna’s full bio here.  
Connect with Aparna 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 feature Alex Lin, a Julliard-trained playwright and former B2B Tech Content Strategist. 
A self-proclaimed Jersey Girl, Juilliard graduate Alex Lin is a rising playwright.  Lin writes to explore complex women and power, while also working to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and pop culture. A winner of the Stavis Award and two Kennedy Center awards, she was also a finalist for the 2024 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize.  
Lin has received seven commissions and had two plays premiere at major New York theaters in the same season: "LAOWANG" at Primary Stages and "Chinese Republicans" at the internationally acclaimed Roundabout Theatre. Roundabout Theatre and Primary Stages will submit Lin for Pulitzer Prize consideration in 2026 and 2027, respectively.  
Besides being a playwright, Alex is also a talented content strategist and worked in tech prior to sharing her artistic craft. 
Learn more about Alex on her 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 features Molly Kocialski, Of Counsel at Holland & Hart LLP. Molly's experience spans IP boutique firms, in-house counsel roles at major technology, telecommunications, and financial services corporations, and senior executive leadership at the USPTO. This combination of technical expertise and business acumen enables her to deliver informed perspectives on how IP decisions drive business success. 
As Director of the USPTO's Rocky Mountain Regional Outreach Office for nearly 10 years, Molly led strategic initiatives across nine states, overseeing 200+ employees. This role gives clients deep insight into USPTO structure, decision-making, IP policy, and administrative issues — and her relationships throughout the agency help clients navigate patent prosecution more efficiently. 
Her in-house experience at Oracle, Qwest Communications, and First Data Corporation shaped her understanding of managing mission-critical IP assets. She managed global patent portfolios, conducted IP due diligence on billions in M&A transactions — including the $26 billion KKR buyout of First Data — and developed litigation strategy across federal court, PTAB, and the ITC. 
Connect with Molly 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 features Dan Smith, a seasoned founder and global patent law strategist with a distinguished career at the intersection of law, innovation, and entrepreneurship. With deep expertise in business-focused patent strategy, legal research, ideation, and patent advocacy, Dan has built a reputation as a trusted voice in intellectual property circles worldwide. His non-profit work further reflects a commitment to advancing access and awareness within the innovative ecosystem. 
What sets Dan apart is not just his professional range, it's the way his personal pursuits mirror his professional ones. An avid rock climber, pilot, sailor, scuba diver, woodturner, inventor, and patent holder, Dan approaches every challenge, whether in the courtroom, the workshop, or the open water with the same curiosity and determination that defines great innovators. 
Dan doesn't just advise on intellectual property — he lives the spirit of it. 
Connect with Dan 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 Watercooler Chat features York Faulkner, Founding Partner, YMF Law. 
A veteran trial lawyer with over thirty years of experience in high-stakes global litigation, York began his career as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Department of Justice, Tax Division, where he conducted grand jury investigations and secured convictions in complex tax fraud and conspiracy cases. He then transitioned to civil practice, becoming a go-to litigator for intellectual property disputes across a remarkable range of technologies—pharmaceutical patents, genetically modified crops, semiconductor design, commercial jet engine technology, digital image processing, medical devices, and CRISPR gene editing, to name a few.  
What truly sets York apart is his bridge between the American and Japanese legal worlds. He's periodically lived and worked in Japan since 1984, speaks and reads Japanese, and now runs a practice focused on defending Japanese companies in U.S. patent litigation and beyond. He's coordinated complex patent battles simultaneously across five continents.  
York is recognized on Managing IP's "IP Stars" list and co-authored the leading Japanese-language treatise on FDA approvals and drug patent litigation.  
Connect with York 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 Melissa Cohen, a LinkedIn Top Voice and Personal Brand Strategist. Melissa joins us in person at our Urban Raccoons Creative Hub at Venture X Brambleton office. 
 
Melissa climbed the corporate ladder from entry-level assistant to Brand Vice President at iconic American fashion companies like Ralph Lauren. Then, 2020 changed everything. The pandemic pushed her to reimagine success — and gave her an unexpected gift: a deep connection to LinkedIn. 
 
When she lost the job she loved, she felt adrift, realizing too much of her identity was tied to her title. LinkedIn helped rebuild that through community, collaboration, and the courage to use her voice. 
 
Today, Melissa works with professionals, founders, and business owners to build powerful LinkedIn presences. Her message is clear: visibility isn't about content volume, it's about distinction. In a world where AI search rewards recognizable expertise, blending in is the real risk. 
 
Authority begins with clarity. And when you show up with a strong, clear brand, then, you become unforgettable. 
 
Connect with Melissa 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 Watercooler Chat features Jessica Broyles, VP of IP Solutions & Services at UnitedLex, where she leads business development across North America and partners with organizations navigating complex modern challenges. Based in Dallas, Texas, Jessica brings more than 15 years of experience in legal operations, with deep expertise in IP strategy, M&A integration, and legal technology transformation. 
 
She began her career in IP docketing and progressed into senior leadership by helping organizations rethink how legal functions operate at scale, driving efficiency, resilience, and business alignment. Jessica is best known for her work on enterprise‑wide transformation initiatives, including multi‑billion‑dollar M&A integrations and the creation of one of the world’s first Virtual Patent Marking programs. 
 
A passionate mentor and people‑builder, she is especially focused on helping legal professionals develop the human judgment, leadership presence, and strategic mindset that technology cannot replace. 
Connect with Jessica 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 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.