This is one of our free panels each month open to the public. we invite guest panelists to share their experiences, insights, tips and strategies that they have found to be effective in their professional or personal lives when tackling the featured topic for the month.

The Unwritten Skills: Persuasion, Politics, & Presence in the Legal World

A thought-provoking panel discussion exploring how influence really works in the legal profession and how women can wield it effectively without compromising their values or authenticity. This conversation goes beyond technical skill to examine the subtle dynamics of persuasion, power, and perception. Panelists will share insight on building credibility, navigating office and institutional politics, shaping narratives in high-stakes environments, and cultivating a presence that commands trust and respect. Attendees will gain practical strategies for influencing outcomes in negotiations, leadership settings, and everyday professional interactions.

Panelists:

Ly Chhay Ng is the Deputy General Counsel at Sovereign Brands, L.L.C., a global wine and spirits company based in Illinois. She leads the company’s legal, employment, and compliance functions across a distributed international workforce, with a focus on practical risk management and scalable people operations. Ly brings over 20 years of experience spanning global employment law, commercial transactions, and corporate operations. Prior to Sovereign Brands, she served as VP & AGC at Circana (formerly IRI), where she led global employment law and compliance for more than 11,000 employees following a major merger. She also spent over a decade as General Counsel at ACTIV Financial Systems, overseeing employment, licensing, M&A, IP, and global legal strategy. She holds a J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law and a B.A. in Cognitive Science from Northwestern University. Ly is admitted to practice law in Illinois, speaks Chinese, and understands Khmer.

Shashi Vijay: Experienced commercial, privacy, and technology transactions attorney providing fractional General Counsel support to high-growth technology companies. Brings 15+ years of experience building legally sound, commercially viable business models, negotiating sophisticated SaaS and technology agreements with Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies, and advising executive leadership on AI commercialization, data use, privacy, and corporate governance. Known for operating as a business-embedded legal advisor, partnering closely with product, engineering, and go-to-market teams, and counseling management at all levels of the organization. Regularly works directly with C-suite leaders to support strategic initiatives, enable revenue growth, and balance legal risk with speed, scalability, and enterprise credibility. https://www.linkedin.com/in/shashivijay/

Bruce Wu is a lawyer, an engineer, a strategist, and an executive coach. Over the last two decades, he has served as Chief Legal Officer, Chief People Officer, Head of Business Development in multiple companies in Silicon Valley. Bruce currently advises multiple US and Canadian AI and life sciences companies on legal, HR, corporate, and compliance related matters, as their fractional General Counsel and business strategist. An internationally recognized leader in strategy and team building, Bruce was named an Asian Leader Worth Watching by Profiles in Diversity Journal, an Exceptional Leadership Champion by Consero, and an IP Star by Managing Intellectual Property; and he has been recognized as one of the world’s leading IP strategists by Managing IP’s IAM300.  A frequent speaker and writer, Bruce has shared his insights on multiple journals, online forums, and at numerous conferences. Bruce received his BASc from the University of Toronto, his MS and PhD in two engineering fields from MIT, and his JD from Georgetown. He is a certified Privacy Professional  (CIPP/US and CIPP/E), as well as AI Governance Professional (AIGP). He can be reached at https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruceycwu/

Jennifer B. Gardner, Esq. brings a dual perspective to communication training, having spent over three decades both persuading as a trial attorney and being persuaded as a judicial decision-maker. Her neuroscience-backed approach combines the psychology of influence with a heart-centered methodology, transforming how professionals connect, persuade, and lead. Jennifer delivers transformative MCLE seminars, corporate workshops, and conference presentations that reveal the invisible dynamics separating winning communicators from the merely competent. Her practical frameworks help lawyers, leaders, and professionals build authentic influence—not through manipulation, but through genuine human connection backed by cutting-edge brain science. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferbgardner/

Who Can Attend & Fee

Public Event

FREE

*Members will have access to the recording

Date & Time

Online Only via Zoom: Link will be provided in confirmation email

Wednesday, May 6th, 2026

12pm-1pmPT/ 1pm-2pmMT/ 2pm-3pmCT/ 3pm-4pmET

About Koa Counsel

Koa Counsel empowers women in law to lead boldly, grow confidently, and thrive personally and professionally. Our members connect with mentors, peers, and opportunities that advance careers, strengthen leadership, and support overall well-being. Through dynamic programs, meaningful discussions, and inspiring experiences, Koa Counsel provides the tools and community women need to excel. Join us to learn, collaborate, and rise together—because when women in law thrive, the entire profession moves forward.

Bold. Brave. Beyond the Bar.