Today’s Entrepreneur: Alex Chan

I am a(n): Entrepreneur

Named in a national journal as one of the top 50 IP lawyers in the U.S. (embargo date: May 16, 2016).

Named as a “Rising Star” in 2016 by a national magazine (embargo date: July 8, 2016). Only the top 2.5% of lawyers in the U.S. receive this recognition.

My DNA is coded in the unknowns. I do not accept the rational “whats.” I want to discover the “whys,” analyze the “hows,” and choose the “whichs.” As an entrepreneur, I do not believe that everything is binary. The ultimate perk of being an entrepreneur is that I get to scrutinize every decision like a chess move, take every risk like a death wish, and celebrate every win like a defending champ.

As innovators, we strive to live in the present but think in the future: to create products that are often fairy tales in children’s books. This “time gap” creates triggers and barriers that sometimes sprout questions, criticisms, and concerns in others, from investors and customers to the general public. This is frustrating but necessary to our ultimate path of success.

The rewarding part is that we are given a rare opportunity to dispel doubts and demonstrate market fit. After all, if we all think alike, then no one is thinking. Innovation is how we show that great men don’t always think alike.

Behind the cash and a phenomenal product lies one key ingredient: it is hustling. No matter what arsenals we have at our disposal, building a successful company always comes down to knocking on every door, getting in front of every customer, and grinding through every adversity.

1) Be grateful for your team and give credits to each of them often and frequent. 
2) If opportunities don’t knock, build a door. 
3) Willing to work 80 hours a week to avoid working 40 hours a week.

I am an innovator grounded upon creative ideas and bold initiatives. Early this year, I founded and launched a big data analytics legal startup that focuses on predicting lawsuit success rates and finding creative ways to invalidate frivolous patents that are stifling innovations and shutting down hardworking businesses.  I also founded an e-commerce startup, funded by the Chilean government, that helps the unemployed find new ways to offer their skills and talents for profit or in exchange for credits towards other services. 

As part of my neverending commitment to help companies fight against abusive litigation, I have authored and published a number of legal articles via LA Daily Journal, Law360, and Bloomberg BNA on topics ranging from best defense practices for small businesses in frivolous litigation to political reform bills that impact every facet of patent litigation to the growing tensions between district and appellate courts.

A strong believer in creative thinking and inspiring ideas, my resolute goal is to bring my rigor, ideals, and excellence to patent litigation in ways rarely observed by my peers.  My commitment is to make global impact that is grounded on deeds, not words; on proofs, not promises; and actions, not proposals.