I always seek to learn the “why” behind a client’s desire for intellectual property protection. I’d urge anyone entering our field to focus on understanding what the client wants to achieve, not just on the legal work itself.
Effective collaboration is important. I enjoy working together with our team members in support of the client with group effort.
The toughest challenge I’ve faced is the process of building a solid foundation for Paratus that does not rely on shortcuts. We are dedicated to administrative quality and driven by technical expertise.
I was a Patent Examiner at the USPTO for 4 years, and understand how to think like an Examiner. Learning that process from the inside-out has helped me approach patent prosecution in collaboration with the Patent Examiner rather than in opposition.
Gaining and keeping the trust of our clients is our highest achievement as a firm.
As a boutique firm, we have the freedom to place our client’s interests at the forefront instead of fixating on profit maximization. That freedom is very important to me.
I consider Tokyo my second home. From there, Hokkaido is only a short hop away and one of best places in the world for snowboarding. A weekend stay at the Niseko resort with a hike up to the peak to explore fresh powder in the backcountry is a great way to recharge.
Having a well-rounded skill set is probably my greatest strength. I can take a big-picture perspective, and understand both the technological and legal sides of my practice. I try to incorporate all of these facets in my daily work with clients.
I try not to dwell on the past but instead look forward, allowing past experience to shape future viewpoints. Lewis Carroll had it right: “It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.”
I like working hands-on with technology, and figuring out how new technology fits into a bigger picture for our clients. I have prosecuted and policed patents in a number of technical areas including electrical, telecommunication, electro-mechanical, semiconductor, mechanical, optics and imaging, printers, automotive electronics, motor components, and computer software arts.
Education
- Juris Doctor, George Mason University School of Law
- Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Bar Admissions
- Commonwealth of Virginia
- District of Columbia
- US Court of Appeals Fourth Circuit
- United States Patent and Trademark Office
Professional Activities
- American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
- Virginia Bar Association
- District of Columbia Bar (Intellectual Property Law Section)
Languages
- Chinese Mandarin (Conversant)