Ward and Smith and four of its attorneys have once again earned national recognition for excellence in intellectual property law, earning spots in the 2025 edition of World Trademark Review 1000 (WTR 1000).
The firm received the Silver Band ranking for providing "pragmatic and easy-to-understand advice" and for being "commercially astute and laser-focused on helping clients make the most of their intellectual property," according to the publication's review.
The 2025 WTR 1000 also highlights four distinguished individual attorneys:
Art DeBaugh: Awarded a Gold Band ranking, Art is praised as an "excellent IP lawyer" with a deep understanding of the law, offering sound commercial guidance. A North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Trademark Law, he advises on trademark, advertising, marketing, copyright, and commercial issues from the firm's Raleigh office.
Angela Doughty: Received a Silver Band ranking for her strategic approach to trademark law, noted as "extremely thorough, timely, and professional." Angela leads Ward and Smith's Intellectual Property practice and is a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Trademark Law. She routinely counsels and assists clients with identifying, protecting, enforcing, and managing their U.S. and international IP rights; trademark and service mark selection, clearance, and registration; and opposition and cancellation proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Erica Rogers: Also in the Silver Band, Erica is recognized for her commercial acumen and success before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. A North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Trademark Law, she assists clients with trademark selection, clearance, prosecution, registration, and portfolio management.
Joe Schouten: Achieved a Silver Band ranking for enhancing the firm's litigation capabilities, particularly in complex trademark infringement disputes. Joe handles patent, trademark, and copyright infringement claims and trade secret misappropriation cases. His extensive experience includes successful representations in trial and appellate courts and before administrative agencies like the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
The World Trademark Review 1000 identifies the top global providers of trademark legal services based on positive feedback from market sources. The research involved a four-month process by a team of full-time analysts conducting hundreds of interviews with trademark specialists from over 80 jurisdictions worldwide. Learn more here.
