Virtual Water Cooler Chat

Virtual Patent Gateway
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Welcome to VPG’s Virtual Water Cooler Chat Podcast, a platform that features professionals across a variety of industries and promotes growth mindset principles, with a central pillar of championing the achievements of women. Our conversations explore a wide spectrum of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, creating a vibrant mosaic that enriches our collective understanding and strengthens our commitment to growth and empowerment. For inquiries, please reach out to hello@vpgateway.com

  1. 12/15/2025

    A Chat with Connor Houghton | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Podcast — Empowering Voices (Episode 94)

    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.

    29 min

  2. 12/01/2025

    Building Next Generation Patent Lawyers with Thomas W. Yeh | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Podcast — Empowering Voices (Episode 93)

    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.

    23 min

  3. 11/17/2025

    Exploring Modern Fatherhood with Steven Ngo | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Podcast — Empowering Voices (Episode 92)

    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.

    39 min
  4. Setbacks into Stepping Stones with Michelle Gabellini | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Podcast — Empowering Voices (Episode 91)

    11/03/2025

    Setbacks into Stepping Stones with Michelle Gabellini | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Podcast — Empowering Voices (Episode 91)

    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.

    35 min

  5. 10/20/2025

    Lean into the Pivot with Wesley White | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Podcast — Empowering Voices (Episode 90)

    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.

    31 min

  6. 10/13/2025

    Heart-Centered Leadership with Monica Phillips | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Podcast — Empowering Voices (Episode 89)

    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.

    39 min

  7. 10/06/2025

    From Awareness to Impact with Braxton K. Davis | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Podcast — Empowering Voices (Episode 88)

    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 bdavis@thencpp.org. 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.

    27 min

  8. 09/29/2025

    From Fear to Action with Mark Green | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Podcast — Empowering Voices (Episode 87)

    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.

    49 min
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About

Welcome to VPG’s Virtual Water Cooler Chat Podcast, a platform that features professionals across a variety of industries and promotes growth mindset principles, with a central pillar of championing the achievements of women. Our conversations explore a wide spectrum of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, creating a vibrant mosaic that enriches our collective understanding and strengthens our commitment to growth and empowerment. For inquiries, please reach out to hello@vpgateway.com

Information

  • Creator
    Virtual Patent Gateway
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    91
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Virtual Water Cooler Chat