Arthur J. DeBaugh
North Carolina State Bar Certified Specialist in Trademark Law
T 919.277.9158
F 919.277.9177
E ajdebaugh@wardandsmith.com
O Raleigh, NC
Practice Areas:
Advertising and Marketing Counsel and Defense, Alcoholic Beverage Law, Copyright, Dealer/Distributor and Franchising, Health Care, Hemp and Cannabis Law, In-House Counsel, Intellectual Property, Intellectual Property Litigation, International, Name, Image, and Likeness, Online Disputes and Brand Enforcement, Technology, Trade Secrets, Trademark
Arthur J. DeBaugh
North Carolina State Bar Certified Specialist in Trademark Law
Art is a highly experienced North Carolina State Bar Certified Specialist in Trademark Law, with over three decades of success advocating for clients’ intellectual property rights. His background as an in-house counsel for Sara Lee Corporation gives him valuable insight into the business needs of corporate clients in all aspects of trademark law, from clearance, registration, and enforcement to dispute resolution and licensing.
Moreover, Art’s extensive background includes an impressive portfolio with over 3,000 successful trademark applications in the U.S. across industries such as software, electronics, health care, marketing, consumer packaged goods, apparel/textile, retail, food & beverage, and higher education.
Clients can count on Art for sound guidance in bringing a product to the market, intellectual property protection policies and procedures, and confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements with employees, vendors, and outside contractors.
Art’s services extend far beyond just protecting IP; he counsels on privacy matters, sweepstakes and contest rules, franchise issues, domain names, cybersquatting, and other internet issues.
Honors and Distinctions
- “Super Lawyer,” Intellectual Property, North Carolina Super Lawyers, 2020-2026
- World Trademark Review 1000, 2019-2021, 2023-2026
- “Best Lawyer,” The Best Lawyers in America, 2011-2026
- Chambers USA, Intellectual Property, 2012-2025
- “Trade Mark Star,” IP Stars from Managing IP, 2024-2025
- “Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers, 2025
- “Legal Elite,” Business North Carolina, Intellectual Property Law, 2011-2023
- “Lawyer of the Year,” Best Lawyers, 2020 and 2023
- North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Trademark Law
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., University of North Carolina School of Law, 1988; Sarah Graham Kenan Scholar; North Carolina Law Review, Research Editor
- B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1985; Morehead Merit Tuition Scholar; Phi Beta Kappa
- International Trademark Association, Member; Professional Development Committee, 2024-2025; Trademark Administrators Committee, 2020-2023; Famous and Well-Known Marks Committee, 2016-2019; Pro Bono Committee, 2012-2015
- North Carolina Bar Association, Continuing Legal Education Advisory Committee, Chair, 2023-2024; Intellectual Property Section: Section Council
- North Carolina State Bar, Board of Legal Specialization: Trademark Specialty Committee (2013-2020; chair 2019-2020)
- Winston-Salem Symphony Board of Directors
- 88.5 WFDD Public Radio, Community Advisory Board
- Former President, Augsburg Lutheran Church, Winston-Salem
- North Carolina, 1988
I enjoy traveling, learning about different cultures, and meeting new people. So far, I’ve visited every continent except Antarctica, mostly on business, but my favorite trips have been with my family.
As an undergraduate English major, I concentrated largely on early 20th Century American novelists, so I am a fan of Faulkner, Hemingway, and Fitzgerald. My favorite novels are Absalom, Absalom! and The Great Gatsby, though I’m reading more and more Cormac McCarthy these days.
Building relationships is important to me. Having worked as in-house counsel for so many years, I appreciate working in partnership with other business leaders to bring products to market, enhance brand value, and collaborate on creative solutions. I work hard to make sure my clients understand that I’m here to help them look good and get their projects done successfully with a minimum of legal risk. And I love teaching and helping clients better understand trademarks and their protection.
Representative Experience
- Developed a comprehensive intellectual property program, including corporate policies and procedures, for the U.S. subsidiary of a large international industrial machinery parts manufacturer.
- Currently manages the global trademark portfolios for numerous businesses based in the U.S., as well as the U.S. trademark portfolios for numerous businesses based outside the U.S., including Fortune 500 companies, businesses with 50 or fewer employees, individual entrepreneurs, and most everything in between.
- Successfully prosecuted and defended numerous trademark infringement cases brought in federal courts from Puerto Rico to North Carolina to New York, many of which resulted in coexistence agreements and settlement agreements favorable to Art’s clients.
- Designed and implemented an anti-counterfeiting program for a well-known luxury goods manufacturer.
- Developed brand licensing and protection programs for clients, including a university and a municipality, amongst others.
- Negotiated publishing agreements for several authors.
- Assisted numerous clients with music copyright infringement allegations and negotiated licenses.
Articles + Insights
Funny Brand Extensions and Trademark Translations
January 6, 2026
How Fast Can I Franchise? Hold On a Minute
September 29, 2023
Commentary on Franchising Myths from the FTC
May 3, 2023
