Angela P. Doughty, CIPP/US, AIGP, FIP
North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Trademark Law
T 252.672.5471
F 252.672.5477
E apd@wardandsmith.com
O New Bern, NC, Morehead City, NC, Raleigh, NC
Practice Areas:
Advertising and Marketing Counsel and Defense, Alcoholic Beverage Law, Artificial Intelligence, Business, Closely Held Companies, Copyright, Dealer/Distributor and Franchising, Education Law, In-House Counsel, Intellectual Property, Intellectual Property Litigation, International, Name, Image, and Likeness, Sports, Parks, Outdoor Recreation, and Tourism, Online Disputes and Brand Enforcement, Privacy and Data Security, Technology, Trade Secrets, Trademark
Angela P. Doughty, CIPP/US, AIGP, FIP
North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Trademark Law
Angela partners with clients to protect, develop, and leverage their ideas, data, and technology, delivering practical, business-focused solutions at the intersection of intellectual property (IP), artificial intelligence (AI), technology, and privacy and data security. As a North Carolina State Bar Board-Certified Specialist in Trademark Law and a Certified AI Governance Professional (AIGP), she pairs deep subject-matter expertise with a collaborative style focused on innovative legal solutions that support business objectives.
Clients turn to Angela for end-to-end IP strategy, from clearance and registration to enforcement and portfolio management. She routinely handles U.S. and international trademark selection, prosecution, and disputes involving filings at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and proceedings at the USPTO’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, as well as domain name, internet, and online brand enforcement matters. She advises on copyright protection and enforcement, including registration, DMCA takedown strategies, and actions against online infringement. She also structures and negotiates IP licensing and technology transfer agreements to enable growth while safeguarding IP core rights.
Angela advises on responsible AI development and use, AI governance frameworks, and transactions that enable AI development and adoption while safeguarding IP and achieving regulatory compliance. She negotiates and drafts software licenses and data agreements to align model training, data use, and ownership with clients’ strategic objectives, ensuring that innovation can scale without compromising compliance. And as a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) and a Fellow of Information Privacy (FIP), Angela guides organizations through the full lifecycle of privacy and security compliance, from program design to incident response.
Angela blends legal acumen with process excellence. She holds White and Yellow Belt certifications in Legal Lean Sigma® and Project Management from the Legal Lean Sigma Institute and serves as the firm’s Director of Innovation. She leads the firm’s implementation of process improvements, design methodologies, and innovative technologies.
Whether you need to launch or defend a brand, implement responsible AI, stand up a global privacy program, or close a complex technology deal, Angela brings strategic judgment, an innovation mindset, and a collaborative style that moves business forward.
Honors and Distinctions
- “Super Lawyer,” Intellectual Property, North Carolina Super Lawyers, 2022-2026
- “Legal Elite,” Business North Carolina, Intellectual Property, 2013, 2015-2016, 2018-2026
- World Trademark Review 1000, 2017-2018, 2020-2026
- “Fellow of Information Privacy” (FIP) designation from the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), 2025
- “Best Lawyer,” The Best Lawyers in America®, 2024-2026
- Chambers USA, Intellectual Property – North Carolina, 2019-2025
- “Trade Mark Star,” IP Stars from Managing IP, 2019-2025
- “Crisis Leadership Trailblazer,” National Law Journal, 2021
- Sara H. Davis Excellence Award, North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization, 2019
- “Rising Star,” North Carolina Super Lawyers, 2014-2019
- “Global IP Star,” Managing Intellectual Property, 2018/2019
Please see the following websites for an explanation of the membership standards for the following recognitions: www.bestlawyers.com; businessnc.com/special-sections/legal-elite/; and www.superlawyers.com/north-carolina.
- J.D., Campbell Law School, 2005. Publishing Editor, Campbell Law Observer.
- M.B.A., Campbell University, 2005
- B.S., summa cum laude, North Carolina State University, 2002
- International Trademark Association (INTA)
- North Carolina Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Law Section (Executive Board 2014-2019; Council Member 2010-2014, 2021-2024)
- North Carolina Bar Association’s Privacy and Data Security Law Section (Executive Board 2024-2026; Council Member 2021-2024)
- North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization, Trademark Law Specialty Committee (Founding Committee Member, 2010-2017; Committee Chair, 2024-current)
- Corporate Legal Operations Consortium (CLOC)
- International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)
- Brewers Association Associate Member
- Craven County Bar Association (President, 2007-2008)
- LawVision Women Leaders Boardroom
- New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce
- Tryon Civitan Club (Board of Directors; President-elect 2010-2011; President 2011-2012)
- North Carolina, 2005
- All state courts in North Carolina
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
The motto that most inspires me and exemplifies my motivation is Pay It Forward. The idea that helping others is not about a reciprocal benefit, but the hope that the recipient, when able, will in turn help someone else that needs it is something I strive to instill in my daughter every day.
One surprising thing people don’t know about me is that I’m an introvert. This is surprising to those that know me because I am not shy with my opinions, often speak to large groups, serve in several leadership roles, and can have hard conversations without mincing words. My introversion means I prefer to listen rather than speak, observe rather than act, and avoid the limelight which is contrary to the typical attorney personality profile. This personality trait often allows me to consider resolutions and opportunities others may miss and work more collaboratively with a diverse group.
My favorite fictional character is the Cheshire Cat with his mischievous grin and perplexing yet amusing commentary. The Cheshire Cat engages Alice in ways that are, to Alice, annoying or baffling but after reflection allow her to view her situation through alternate paradigms. We all need a Cheshire Cat in our lives to help us view the world from different perspectives and appreciate that most everyone is mad here; you may notice that I’m not always all there myself.
Representative Experience
- Routinely advising on a wide variety of state, federal, and international regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act (CAN-SPAM), Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and other state and international privacy laws.
- Managing and overseeing the registration, maintenance, and enforcement of a multinational trademark portfolio spanning more than 40 countries for a Fortune 500 corporation.
- Developing, implementing, and managing U.S. brand management and enforcement policies for one of Europe’s largest home appliance manufacturers.
- Counseling high-profile athletes on IP rights, sponsorships, social media, domain strategies, and name, image, and likeness considerations to protect commercial identity across platforms.
- Responding to demands and negotiating settlements with various copyright rights management organizations, such as BSA, Getty Images, ASCAP, and BMI, regarding allegations of copyright infringement and license agreement violations.
- Drafting and negotiating a multimillion-dollar collaborative technology, software development, and licensing agreement for a medical device company.
- Developing and implementing a digital advertising campaign that complies with Federal Trade Commission (FTC) standards, sweepstakes and promotions laws, CAN-SPAM Act, and TCPA requirements.
- Leading responses to security breaches involving ransomware, business email compromise, hacking, misdirected communications, and vendor payment fraud.
- Advising on the development and implementation of a privacy program that harmonizes multiple state and federal privacy laws to minimize operational impact while maintaining compliance goals.
- Structuring data and technology transactions for AI-enabled products and services covering vendor due diligence, algorithmic transparency, privacy-by-design, and cross-border data considerations to manage risk and align with business and compliance objectives.
- Designing and implementing responsible AI governance frameworks and policies tailored to business objectives and regulatory requirements, including internal AI use policies, acceptable-use guidelines, and cross-functional risk management practices developed in collaboration with product, compliance, and security teams.
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