Virtual Water Cooler Chat

Leveling Up Work Culture with Megan Raymond, Partner, Groombridge Wu Baughman & Stone, LLP | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Episode 59

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. 

A Chat with Franklin Chu, Senior Associate at Gemini Law | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Episode 58

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. 

A Chat with Ellyar Y. Barazesh, Senior Associate, Intellectual Property at Baker Botts | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Episode 57

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.  

Data Maverick: The Steve Gong Story | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Episode 56

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Steve Gong, Patent Counsel, Head of Data Science, Technology and Ops at Google, and a data maverick at the cutting edge of legal innovation! 
Steve earned his B.S. in Bioengineering with a minor in Computer Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, his M.S. in Computer Engineering from Santa Clara University, his J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, and completed Executive leadership programs at Stanford University Graduate School of Business. With a unique blend of expertise in law, product leadership, and data science, Steve is revolutionizing the way we approach legal strategy and decision-making. 
In his work at Google, Steve leads a team of trailblazers pioneering the use of AI and machine learning in the legal domain. Together, they are breaking new ground, transforming both the practice and business of law with their groundbreaking applications of advanced analytics. 
Steve’s impact doesn’t stop there. As a seasoned product leader, he has launched game-changing products that have become staples for Fortune 500 companies and tech innovators alike. His knack for understanding market needs and delivering solutions sets him apart as a true visionary in the field. Steve is also a co-founder of ADAPT.legal, a powerhouse of non-profit collective driving inclusive innovation in the patent landscape. Teaming up with industry giants like Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and Disney, and now with over 70 members, Steve and the team at ADAPT.legal are leveraging data and technology to empower legal professionals and foster a more diverse pipeline of patent practitioners. 
Connect with Steve 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 Innovation and Leadership with Olga V. Mack | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Episode 55

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Olga V. Mack, a Fellow at CodeX, The Stanford Center for Legal Informatics, and a Generative AI Editor at law.MIT Computational Law Report. Additionally, she is an award-winning general counsel, operations specialist, and tech startup advisor who encourages lawyers to embrace disruptive technologies that make law more functional and accessible.  
She served as the lateral CEO of Parley Pro, a cutting-edge contract lifecycle platform that revolutionized digital negotiation. Under her leadership, Parley Pro was successfully taken to market, experienced significant growth, and was eventually sold and integrated into LexisNexis, showcasing her ability to drive innovation and execute strategic business decisions.  
A six-time TEDx presenter with an exceptional blend of legal, technological, and business expertise, Olga is one of today's top speakers and thought leaders. Find her latest insights at Above the Law, Forbes, Bloomberg Law, ACC Docket, law.MIT Computational Law Report, Newsweek, Venture Beat, and her podcast, Notes to My (Legal) Self.  
Connect with Olga 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. 

Growing with Transformation Coach Charlie Loulakis | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Episode 54

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Charlie Loulakis, Transformation Coach and Chief Growth Officer at Cornerstone Agility. 
Charlie is not just a Transformation Architect; he's a visionary on a mission to revolutionize the way businesses operate and deliver value to their customers. At the heart of Charlie's approach lies a commitment to rallying people around a shared strategic vision. He understands that true transformation begins with aligning every individual within an organization towards a common goal. Through his expertise, he cultivates a culture where progress is not just encouraged but celebrated. 
Transparency, Inspection, and Adaptation are three key pillars in Charlie's playbook of The Scrum Master’s Guide to the Galaxy. Partnering with his coauthor, Elisabeth White, they empower organizations to gain crystal-clear insights into their workflows, ensuring that every effort contributes meaningfully to the overarching people-centric objectives.  
And Charlie doesn’t stop there. He is a relentless advocate for continuous improvement, infusing organizations with a culture that embraces change as a catalyst for growth. By instilling this agile mindset, Charlie empowers teams to adapt, evolve, and thrive in an ever-changing landscape. 
Effective product management is another cornerstone of Charlie's strategy. By helping clients hone their product management practices, he ensures that every product not only meets but exceeds customer expectations, driving unparalleled satisfaction and loyalty. 
Alignment is also paramount in Charlie's world. He works tirelessly to align team delivery with overarching organizational strategy, ensuring that every action propels the business towards its desired outcomes.  
Connect with Charlie 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.

A Deep Dive on Neurodiversity with Haley Moss, Esq. | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Episode 52

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Haley Moss, Esq., in a conversation about ‘A Deep on Dive on Neurodiversity.’ 
Haley was diagnosed with autism when she was 3 years old. Today, she is an attorney, TEDx, and keynote speaker, author, advocate, and consultant. Though licensed to practice law in Florida, Haley is not currently in active practice, instead committed to ventures that make life better for individuals with disabilities through my speaking, writing, and consulting. The author of several books and numerous articles about neurodiversity in the workplace, Haley is a passionate advocate for disability inclusion and neurodiversity. 
As a consultant, Haley helps make organizations more inclusive and accessible places for people with disabilities. Speaking on these topics allows her to share her personal and professional experiences, bringing legal knowledge and individual perspectives across different professions and settings. She is thrilled to share what she knows and has learned in her life with everyone she can. 
Connect with Haley on LinkedIn or visit haleymoss.com. 
 
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. 

A Chat with Michael Flanigan, IP Trial Attorney at Crowell & Moring LLP | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Episode 51

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Michael G. Flanigan, IP Trial Attorney at Crowell & Moring LLP.  
Based in San Francisco, Michael assists clients in technology and intellectual property litigation throughout the United States. He has broad experience in federal and state courts, including post-grant proceedings (Inter Partes Reviews and post-grant reviews) before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board and Section 337 proceedings before the International Trade Commission (ITC). 
Michael focuses his practice on complex civil and high-stakes intellectual property/high technology litigation in both state and federal courts and has experience in Section 337 proceedings before the International Trade Commission (ITC). His practice centers around intellectual property litigation, including pre-trial strategy, patent and trade secret enforcement, patent defense, patent consulting and monetization, and patent portfolio analysis. Michael utilizes his background in electrical engineering and computer science to advise tech companies in cloud technology, consumer electronics, telecommunications, software, computer architecture, medical devices, and other technical fields. His practice also encompasses complex civil disputes such as contracts and business; real property or land disputes; misappropriation of trade secrets, copyright and trademark disputes.  
Prior to joining Crowell & Moring, Michael spent nearly a decade in private practice at elite national trial law firms, where he represented clients in high-stakes patent, trade secret, competition and complex commercial disputes through trial in the fields of cloud technology, consumer electronics, telecommunications, software, computer architecture, and other technical fields. 
Connect with Michael 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.

A Chat with Angela Oliver, Associate at Haynes and Boone, LLP — Appellate and IP | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Episode 50

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Angela Oliver, an appellate and intellectual property attorney with Haynes and Boone, LLP, who focuses her practice on appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, federal district court litigation, and post-grant proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.  
Angela was recently recognized in Patexia’s 2023 CAFC Intelligence Report as being in the top five best performing attorneys at the Federal Circuit, and in the top 30 most active attorneys before that court. 
She has also assisted clients throughout inter partes review and post-grant review proceedings, from drafting petitions and patent owner responses to presenting oral argument, and with critical issues in patent infringement litigation, including dispositive motion practice, appellate preservation, and development of the jury charge. 
Connect with Angela 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. 

Growth and Leadership with Irene Liu | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Episode 49

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Irene Liu, the founder of Hypergrowth GC and an Executive in Residence at UC Berkeley, School of Law.  
After building and scaling international, multi-billion-dollar technology companies, Irene now helps spur growth at other companies as an advisor, thought leader, and executive coach. She is a frequent writer and contributor to the Thomson Reuters Institute and hosts the “Hypergrowth GC” video series on Luminate+ and “Coffee Break with Irene” on Berkeley Boost. 
Irene brings invaluable expertise on AI as an Advisor for Berkeley Law's AI Institute and Women Defining AI. She further contributes crucial insights on AI to the California government on AI-related matters and has previously spoken at an FTC public hearing on AI. 
 
Before going in-house, Irene worked at the U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, and the Federal Trade Commission in the Bureau of Consumer Protection. Irene was the Chief Financial and Legal Officer of Hopin, a leading community engagement platform, where she managed legal, finance, policy, and trust & safety teams. She was also the General Counsel of Checkr, a provider of modern background checks, where she managed legal, compliance, policy, finance, and customer education teams. 
Connect with Irene 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.