Navigating the world of law and order as an Asian American can be convoluted. However, as John D. Tran Talks about working with start-ups like AHN, overcoming industry barriers, and the power of mentorship.
A fun fact that encapsulates John’s impact is that he was the trademark attorney who helped protect and register the ASIAN HUSTLE NETWORK name back in 2019—a contribution that underscores his dedication to empowering the Asian American community.
As a Partner at the Rhema Law Group®, John has spent over 20 years working as a Registered Patent Attorney, Intellectual Property Counsel & IP litigator, driven by a mission to aid startups & emerging companies navigating the complex business world.
Finding Balance & Purpose in the Madness
In 2012, with the arrival of their boy-girl twins, John and his wife Rosalind Ong switched gears. Both seasoned lawyers at larger firms, the duo seized this joyful moment and joined forces to partner at a private law firm, Rhema Law Group, which specializes in intellectual property, business, and corporate law. While people may think being a lawyer trades much of one’s freedom for endless tedious readings into acts and regulations, John finds a nice work/life balance being a “cool” dad to twins (double the coolness), playing basketball, and being an avid sports fan, but finds ultimate enjoyment in spending time with friends and family.
Protecting the Interests of Start-Ups & Emerging Businesses
Working as a lawyer for startups can be tough, considering how new and fragile they are in the market. While his work requires a focus on quality, integrity, and community, John treats startups with extreme care and attention, prioritizing personalization and case-by-case flexibility for each of his clients. He understands that these new businesses often operate on tight budgets, but also wants his clients to recognize the importance of investing in intellectual property protection right from the start.
This is not just about legal protection—it’s an act of partnership, building relationships with the clients, getting to know who they are, and helping them grow. John said in an interview with AHN:
“With start-ups, even those backed by investors or venture capitalists, you’re usually dealing with a limited budget that needs to be responsibly allocated across various areas, such as R&D, marketing, sales, employment, and more. A good IP attorney will understand these constraints and focus on identifying the core IP of the start-up that needs to be protected from the outset while determining which IP can be addressed later.
Also, we find it important to conduct IP ‘think tank’ sessions, where we work closely with our clients to identify what protectable IP the company has and then develop an overall IP portfolio strategy. From trademarks, patents, copyrights and even trade secrets, approaching a business’s IP ensures that the start-up’s IP is properly protected at every stage of its growth. It’s incredibly rewarding to work with start-ups and emerging companies, watching them grow and mature over the years, and being a small part of their journey to success.”
John finds pride in working with primarily Vietnamese, Asian and minority-run companies. His client list ranges from the small entrepreneur with an idea to multi-million dollar manufacturers with hundreds of employees working overseas.
Building Leaders and Communities
His legal acumen has been shaped by mentorship, as he profoundly affirms his gratitude and advocacy for what mentorship has given him, “I think mentorship is so important, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without being fortunate enough to be mentored by some great people in my life, both professionally and personally.”
Above all, mentorship is not just a veteran-novice work of professional guidance, but, to John, it is a way of personal growth for everyone involved. This mindset coheres with his work ethic, where he hones his expertise (as startups can be quite a hard case to crack, your honor) while supporting their growth.
“Mentoring builds up individuals, individuals build up communities, and communities raise families, support businesses, and can become the social networks that bring people together. For me, personally, mentorship has been a valued and rewarding part of my life. My wife and I have been fortunate to mentor several individuals for over 15 years, many of whom we met while volunteering at a leadership camp for foster care and at-risk teens.”
For John, mentorship is about time, consistency, and authenticity—qualities he embodies both professionally and personally.
“One particular mentee has become a little brother to me. We have mentored Salesi since he was 12, and then he served in the Army after high school and later worked at our law firm as a paralegal. Now, we’re proud to say that he has just been accepted to law school on scholarship! He was the first in his family to graduate from college and is now on his way to becoming a lawyer. Watching him grow and being there with him through the years has been such a rewarding experience, and it truly highlights the power of mentorship.”
Navigating the Legal Landscape as an Asian American
Now, let’s get to the part where most Asian parents will be intrigued to see—being an Asian American attorney. There’s nothing that excites them more than when their kids come home and say “I want to be an attorney.” Respect, stability, and profitability—needless to say more. However, as an Asian American attorney in a predominantly white male-dominated industry, John has faced a sense of isolation and underrepresentation within the industry, forging the urge to always have to outperform himself.
“I remember the first time I appeared in court on a case—the judge looked at me, smiled, and asked if I was still in law school because I looked so young (haha). It’s that Asian curse! But thinking back now, although there have been great strides made in recent times, the legal industry is still greatly underrepresented when it comes to Asian American attorneys. In my field of intellectual property law, I primarily practice before the federal courts, which are still largely dominated by older white males. That’s just the way it is, and as an Asian American attorney, you can sometimes feel like you’re the only one and feel pressure to prove that you belong in such a competitive space.”
John has overcome them by focusing on his craft and building a reputation for doing great work. John’s advice to aspiring legal professionals all comes down to self-awareness and passion, emphasizing the importance of choosing a practice area that aligns with one’s strengths and personality, as well as the value of giving back through mentorship and community service.
“Matching your personality and skill set to a particular area of law is often overlooked. For example, if you’re an extrovert who likes to be ‘in the action’ of things, becoming a transactional attorney who drafts contracts and agreements at your desk all day may not be the best fit for you. Conversely, if you’re more of an introvert, choosing to become a litigator where you’re in court frequently and presenting oral arguments to a judge or jury may not be a good fit either… Additionally, I think serving on some non-profit organizations and local organizations are things that help provide joy & fulfillment, including what we talked about earlier regarding the power of mentorship.”
Connect With John D. Tran / Rhema Law Group®
“One thing I love about the law is that, for the most part, it is impartial. So, if you’re a good attorney doing great work, it doesn’t matter if you’re white, black, brown, or blue,, there’s no limits to what you can achieve and accomplish.”
X: @patentjt
Website: www.rhemalaw.com
Contact: jdt@rhemalaw.com | 949-852-4430