Aya Cieslak-Tochigi is an intellectual property attorney who concentrates in all aspects of trademark and copyright law. Her practice focuses on domestic and international trademark selection, clearance, prosecution and enforcement. Aya represents clients in trademark litigation in federal courts and before the United States Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. She also regularly enforces and defends clients’ trademarks and copyrights through cease and desist letters and subsequent negotiations. Aya has represented a wide range of clients—from startup businesses to multinational corporations—in a variety of industries, such as fashion, food and beverages, art, technology, life sciences, and financial services.
Aya also has an active pro bono practice, assisting charitable organizations with their trademark and copyright needs.
She has also litigated in the areas of life sciences, biotechnology and pharmaceutical under the Hatch-Waxman Act in federal courts.
Her legal experience includes serving as a summer associate for international law firms in Tokyo, Japan.
Aya received her law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law, where she was a Presidential Scholar and graduated cum laude. While in law school, she served as a team leader in the Phillip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court, and represented an asylum seeker in the immigrants’ rights/international human rights clinic.