Ward and Smith is proud to announce that four of our attorneys have been named 2025 IP Stars by Managing IP, a prestigious recognition honoring the world's leading intellectual property practitioners across more than 70 jurisdictions.
This distinction is based on merit and endorsements from peers and clients, reflecting the exceptional talent and dedication of our IP team.
Meet Our 2025 IP Stars
Art DeBaugh – Trade Mark Star 2025
Art DeBaugh, a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Trademark Law, has once again been recognized as a Trade Mark Star. With over three decades of experience, Art has successfully prosecuted and defended numerous trademark infringement cases across the United States. His extensive background includes an impressive portfolio with over 3,000 successful trademark applications in the U.S., spanning industries such as software, electronics, health care, marketing, consumer packaged goods, apparel/textile, retail, food and beverage, and higher education.
Angela Doughty – Trade Mark Star 2025
Angela Doughty, CIPP/US, AIGP, leads Ward and Smith's Intellectual Property practice and is a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Trademark Law. Her strategic approach and thorough understanding of trademark issues have earned her this well-deserved recognition. Angela 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; opposition and cancellation proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; Internet and domain law issues; software development and licensing transactions; and negotiating the acquisition, licensing, and transfer of intellectual property rights. She has extensive experience with strategic planning and management of IP portfolios, including IP audits to assist clients with the identification of intellectual property assets and related risks and opportunities.
Joe Schouten – Patent Star 2025
Joe Schouten has been named a Patent Star for 2025. He is an experienced litigator who focuses on intellectual property disputes, including patent, trademark, and copyright infringement claims, as well as claims dealing with misappropriation of trade secrets. Joe's experience includes successful representations in trial courts, appellate courts (including the Federal Circuit), and administrative agencies such as the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Along with intellectual property disputes, Joe also regularly handles complex, high-stakes litigation on behalf of a wide variety of clients.
Ryan Simmons – Patent Star 2025 and Trade Mark Star 2025
Ryan Simmons has achieved dual recognition as both a Patent Star and a Trade Mark Star for 2025. His practice covers a broad spectrum of intellectual property matters, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. Ryan's work encompasses patent preparation and prosecution (U.S. and foreign), intellectual property assessment, counseling, and portfolio management, as well as business and intellectual property transactions. He is admitted to practice in North Carolina, Florida, Vermont, and before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
IP Stars is a yearly publication that relies on six months of research. Its rankings are determined through a weighted analysis of details provided by firms, publicly available data, and input from the market. For more on the methodology, visit: https://www.ipstars.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Methodology/Index/4016.
