As an Intellectual Property attorney equipped with a global legal perspective, Haodong takes pride in his ability to provide more than just legal explanations. His bilingual abilities and bicultural experience allow him to offer actionable guidance to clients, ensuring they grasp not only the law but also the strategic steps they need to take. With strong technical backgrounds in Mathematics and Economics, Haodong enjoys the opportunity to delve into the complex technicalities of IP law, using his analytical skills to develop innovative and effective solutions for clients.
Haodong Zhong is a member of the Adams and Reese Global Intellectual Property Group, addressing IP-related legal matters for both international and domestic clients.
Haodong primarily practices in trademark law. He has extensive knowledge of the trademark application process in the United States, particularly in drafting applications and formulating responses to USPTO actions. When prosecuting trademarks, Haodong leverages his robust legal research capabilities to advise clients on strategies that are both effective and economical.
Additionally, when clients encounter potential trademark disputes, Haodong exercises astute judgment to assess the feasibility of initiating legal actions. In adversarial IP proceedings, Haodong robustly defends clients' intellectual property rights, with experience in cancellation proceedings under the TTAB and WIPO domain disputes. His familiarity with copyright law and the right of publicity statutes, along with his ability to construct defenses based on fair use and federal preemption doctrines, underscores his thorough approach to protecting clients’ interests.
Haodong is also skilled in managing IP portfolios. He is adept at utilizing AI and other technological tools to highlight potential risks to clients’ domains and trademarks, ensuring their IP rights are well-protected.
Fluent in Mandarin, Haodong assists U.S. clients looking to engage in business in China and supports Chinese businesses seeking to expand into the U.S. market. He acknowledges the significant impact of international treaties, such as the Paris Agreement and the Madrid Protocol, on IP rights and brings a global perspective to aid multinational companies. For U.S. clients, his cultural and linguistic proficiency is invaluable in navigating the Asian markets. For international clients, Haodong demystifies the U.S. legal system, offering clear explanations in Chinese when needed.
Haodong earned his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law, where he served as an Associate Competition Editor for the Moot Court Board, where he coached teams in First Amendment and Intellectual Property competitions. He was also a Notes and Articles Editor of the Fordham Environmental Law Review.
Haodong’s journey into international IP practice began with an internship at an American law firm in Shanghai, China. He then gained industry-specific experience as legal interns at the New York office of Tapestry — the holding company of Coach, Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman — and at a California-based boutique IP law firm.
He completed a judicial internship in the Southern District of New York. Haodong also interned for the New York City Law Department and the Brooklyn District Attorney's office.
Prior to attending law school, Haodong graduated magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University with triple majors in Mathematics, Economics, and Philosophy. He earned Dean's List honors every semester and received an award for academic excellence in Philosophy. His extensive research in Econometrics and Auction Theory highlights his quantitative skills.
Education
Bar Admissions
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Professional Affiliations & Memberships
- Tennessee Bar Association