Virtual Patent Gateway, LLC

06/18/2026

I had a great conversation with Phil Eklem and a few things really stuck with me.

We live in a world that constantly pushes us to do more, move faster, and chase the next thing. But Phil brought it back to basics. Success isn't just about hustle. It's about the quality of your work and the quality of your relationships.

Are you showing up and actually giving your best effort? Not just going through the motions, but genuinely caring about the work you put out? People notice that. They remember it.

And the relationships you build along the way? Those matter just as much. The people around you. colleagues, clients, collaborators, they're not just contacts. They're the foundation of everything you're building. Treat them well. Show up for them. Be someone they can count on.

When you do those two things consistently, something shifts. More people want to work with you. Doors open that you didn't even knock on. Opportunities come through the relationships you've invested in.

But here's the part that really resonated with me and it's something a lot of us overlook:

Once you've built that momentum, you have to learn to protect it. Set your boundaries. Know your limits. Don't say yes to everything just because you can. Overworking yourself doesn't make you more successful, it makes you less effective, less present, and eventually burns you out.

Sustainable success means knowing when to say no so you can keep showing up at your best for the people and the work that matter most.

Simple principles. Not always easy. But absolutely worth it

06/16/2026

The Power of "Figure It Out" Leadership 

On the last day of Ashley’s vacation, she scheduled a Virtual Water Cooler Chat (VWCC) Podcast recording that included VPG’s intern Gabby, while interviewing Michelle Heisner. Michelle is a M&A Partner at Baker Donelson and a Board Member of How Women Lead (HWL). Gabby had a conversation with Michelle that highlighted an important lesson about leadership and professional growth. 

In this Sound Bite, Michelle shared a story from early in her career when she was working on a deal late into the evening. Her boss simply said, "I'm going home," and left her to negotiate it herself.  He wanted to see what she had figured out on her own. 

For many people, that situation might sound intimidating. But for Michelle, who has always been driven to do her best, it was empowering. Her boss trusted her enough to give her room to think, problem-solve, and develop her own judgment. 

That experience stayed with her. 

Today, Michelle strives to provide the same kind of opportunities for younger attorneys. Rather than stepping in with every answer, she creates space for them to tackle challenges, build confidence, and discover what they're capable of achieving. 

Great leaders don't just teach people what to do. They trust them enough to let them learn, grow, and sometimes surprise themselves. 

What's a moment when someone trusted you with a challenge before you felt completely ready? How did it shape your career?

06/16/2026

06/13/2026

Author's Notes: More Than One Thing
What does identity mean to you?

I asked Brenna Holland that very question. To Brenna, identity is how you present to the world. Simple, but profound. Because when you think about it that way, identity isn't just who you are on the inside; it's the version of yourself that you show up as every single day.

Brenna shared something deeply personal. When she became a mom, and a stay-at-home mom at that, she lost herself for a while. Here was someone who loved to work, who thrived in that environment, suddenly at home and disconnected from the version of herself she had always known. She didn't know how to present to the world anymore. That is a feeling so many people can relate to.

But Brenna didn't stay lost. It took time, but she found her way back to herself. And the identity she has built is one she is proud of. A devoted stay at home mom AND someone who still works, still creates, still runs a small business. Not one or the other. Both. All of it.

Have you ever gone through a season where you lost sight of how you presented to the world?

06/11/2026

LinkedIn has a way of surprising us. For the longest time, I never really knew who was on the other side of this platform, until last year's ChIPs Network Global Summit changed that. 2026 ChIPs Network Global Summit (October 21-23, 2026) will be in L.A. https://lnkd.in/erwsRwq5

ChIPs GS in Washington, DC was where I met Aparna Watal, a kind-hearted and thoughtful leader with the ChIPs Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) Chapter. What started as a conversation became a real collaboration, we stayed in touch, worked together on a VWCC podcast, I introduced her to ADAPT.legal, and we even brought in the incredible Sarah Foley of Foley IP Law as co-host. You see, both Sarah and I are part of the ADAPT Communications Team, as I listened to the team talking content creation, I asked Sarah, would you like to be a co-host of a podcast. She said YES to two episodes: Mary Fuller and Aparna Watal.

Sarah does phenomenal work with her industry spotlights, she wrote the story on Mary Fuller, and has now completed the one on Aparna. It's the kind of storytelling that makes our community richer. https://lnkd.in/e4uqMGvD

What's left a lasting impression about Aparna is her thoughtfulness and the way her insights just *land*. The kind of person who makes every conversation more meaningful. Speaking of meaningful conversations — next week, we're hosting 🎙️ IP Talk: Brand Insights, diving into the intersection of AI, IP, and what creatives truly need to be aware of right now.

This clip is from our prep session last week with Aparna Watal, Frances Gutierrez Winkler, Alyssa G and me. We can't wait to bring you the full discussion. The link to LinkedIn Live Event will be listed in comment below.

🔗 Link below — sign up and tune in. You won't want to miss this one.

IP Talk: Brand Insights: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7414679525663490048?viewAsMember=true

06/04/2026

Most AI failures aren't technology failures.

They're alignment failures. And Jessica Broyles thinks we need to talk about that more.

I had the chance to interview Jessica, and her perspective on AI adoption was refreshingly honest. Every week she sees organizations rushing to adopt the latest AI platform, and she understands the urgency. Nobody wants to be left behind. But here's what she said: dropping a powerful tool into a structure that isn't ready for it doesn't create transformation. It creates chaos.

In her words, the real risk isn't whether you adopt AI. The real risk is implementing something that doesn't align with your existing people, processes, and culture.

Success with AI isn't a technology problem. It never was. It's a people problem. A strategy problem. A change management problem.

She says you need all the ingredients:

🔹 A leadership team that's aligned on the why

🔹 Processes that can actually support what you're building

🔹 A culture willing to adapt and grow

🔹 People who are empowered, not threatened, by the change

🔹 And then, the technology to bring it all together

AI is only as powerful as the foundation it's built on. The organizations seeing real results aren't the ones who moved fastest, they're the ones who moved smartest.

So before you sign that contract for the next shiny platform, ask yourself: do we have everything we need to make this work?

05/30/2026

It's done. And we're celebrating!

We are so proud to announce that Transform Thinking, Transform Life is officially available for pre-order!

This workbook was built for the multigenerational workplace, a space where different generations bring different experiences, perspectives, and strengths. We wanted to create something that honors all of that and helps teams grow together. Because when we stop talking across generational lines and start truly listening, everything changes, the way we lead, the way we collaborate, and the way we show up for one another.

This project has been a labor of love, and getting here wasn't always easy. It took late nights, honest conversations, and a whole lot of belief that this message was worth bringing into the world. And we are so glad we did.

None of this would have happened without the most incredible people saying YES.

A huge shoutout to my co-author Brenna Holland, your willingness to take on a new challenge and say yes to this project made all the difference. You leaned in with your whole heart, and what we built together is something to be proud of.

To our illustrator Alyssa Gangaram, you brought this work to life in ways words never could. Your artistry is woven throughout this workbook, and every page is more beautiful because of you.

And to our editor Heather Martin, thank you for sharpening our words and making sure this message lands the way it was meant to. Your eye for detail and your care for the work showed every step of the way.

P.S. If you watch the video, see if you can spot the music from your generation. We had a little fun with that.

Pre-order your copy today! 👉 https://www.ashley-cheung.com/

A better workplace starts with you.

05/23/2026

Author's Notes: Rewriting the Narrative

On May 6th, something special happened.

Rewriting Our Narratives: Asian American Power Moves in Law & TV — The Partner Track Case brought together an incredible group of people for a conversation that was long overdue. The energy in the room was electric, the engagement was incredible, and there was plenty of laughter to go around. But more than anything, important stories were told. And that is exactly what this event was designed to do.

The discussion centered on the powerful and growing influence of Asian Americans in media and the legal profession, two industries where representation has historically been limited but is now being reshaped in bold and meaningful ways. The conversation was rich, honest, and at times deeply personal. Exactly the kind of dialogue that moves the needle.

Our panelists brought the depth, the insight, and the lived experience that made the night truly unforgettable:

Ashley Cheung — Principal & Founder, VPG; Podcaster & Author | Podcast Host of Virtual Water Cooler Chat, FEMTECH LIVE Lounge and IP Talk: Brand Insights
Helen Wan — Author of The Partner Track
Michael Binns — IP Law Foundation Trustee & Co-Founder of ADAPT.legal
Maddy Batliboi — Board Co-Chair, Womankind (NYC Asian Women's Center)
Moderated by the wonderful Dawn Yu, Cross-Border IP Strategist at JiaQuan IP Law.

This is what happens when you put the right people in the room. Conversations that matter, stories that resonate, and a community that shows up for each other. In celebration of AAPI month, this night reminded us all of the power of representation, on screen, in the courtroom, and at the table.

05/19/2026

What does it actually take to win a trial?

Most people only see what happens in the courtroom. But behind every case is an entire team working tirelessly behind the scenes and Phil Eklem, Partner at Reichman Jorgensen Lehman & Feldberg LLP, is pulling back the curtain.

From the lawyers crafting the strategy, to the paralegals keeping everything organized and running on time, Phil breaks down every role that makes a trial function smoothly.

It's a world most people never get to see unless they're in the trenches with the team.

And here's the thing, every single person matters. A trial isn't won by one brilliant attorney. It's won by a team that communicates, trusts each other, and shows up prepared at every level. Drop one piece, and the whole thing can fall apart.

Teamwork isn't just a nice-to-have in the legal world. It's everything.

This conversation is a great reminder that justice isn't just built in the courtroom it's built long before anyone walks through those doors.

05/16/2026

Author's Notes: Rewriting the Narrative

On May 6th, something special happened.

Rewriting Our Narratives: Asian American Power Moves in Law & TV — The Partner Track Case brought together an incredible group of people for a conversation that was long overdue. The energy in the room was electric, the engagement was incredible, and there was plenty of laughter to go around. But more than anything, important stories were told. And that is exactly what this event was designed to do.

The discussion centered on the powerful and growing influence of Asian Americans in media and the legal profession, two industries where representation has historically been limited but is now being reshaped in bold and meaningful ways. The conversation was rich, honest, and at times deeply personal. Exactly the kind of dialogue that moves the needle.

Our panelists brought the depth, the insight, and the lived experience that made the night truly unforgettable:

Ashley Cheung — Principal & Founder, VPG; Podcaster & Author | Podcast Host of Virtual Water Cooler Chat, FEMTECH LIVE Lounge and IP Talk: Brand Insights

Helen Wan — Author of The Partner Track

Michael Binns — IP Law Foundation Trustee & Co-Founder of ADAPT.legal

Maddy Batliboi — Board Co-Chair, Womankind (NYC Asian Women's Center)

Moderated by the wonderful Dawn Yu, Cross-Border IP Strategist at JiaQuan IP Law.

This is what happens when you put the right people in the room. Conversations that matter, stories that resonate, and a community that shows up for each other. In celebration of AAPI month, this night reminded us all of the power of representation, on screen, in the courtroom, and at the table.