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Paula Cruz Cedillo
Alternate image for Paula Cruz Cedillo

Paula Cruz Cedillo

Partner

860.275.6783
Hartford
pcedillo@mccarter.com

An experienced litigator whose practice includes a wide range of commercial disputes, Paula Cruz Cedillo handles some of McCarter’s largest, most complex, and high exposure cases with an in-depth understanding of the law and a command of the facts to strategically achieve her clients’ litigation objectives.

Paula Cruz Cedillo concentrates her practice on complex commercial litigation, securities litigation, the defense of class actions, and white collar criminal defense matters, representing clients in federal and state courts throughout the country. She has substantial experience in matters related to the False Claims Act, as well as disputes involving unfair competition, misappropriation of trade secrets, director and officer liability, ERISA, and civil RICO related claims. Paula’s practice also involves handling intellectual property matters, including copyright, trademark, and patent infringement and opposition proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

In addition to litigating securities class actions and disputes in federal courts throughout the country, Paula represents corporations and broker/dealers defending SEC and FINRA enforcement actions, including defending claims of insider trading and market manipulation. Paula also routinely appears before FINRA, the American Arbitration Association (AAA), and JAMS.

In her white collar criminal defense practice, Paula has represented corporations and individual corporate officers at the investigative stage, including before the grand jury, as well as the post-indictment stages in matters involving securities fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, tax fraud, and money laundering. She also regularly conducts internal corporate investigations, including investigations related to government contracting fraud and securities fraud, and counsels clients in connection with investigations conducted by Government prosecutors and regulators.

Paula is the co-author of Connecticut Business Litigation, part of the Connecticut Law Tribune’s book series published by American Lawyer Media (ALM), and a primary resource for attorneys who litigate complex commercial matters in Connecticut federal and state courts. Paula was also invited to contribute to the Aspatore Press “Inside the Minds” book series published by West, Thomson Reuters, authoring a Chapter entitled, “The False Claims Act:  Strategy and Protocol for Initial Responses to the Government, Whistleblowers, and Qui Tam Actions.”

Representative Matters

Manufacturer—Successful defense of patent licensing dispute

Successfully defended provider of revolutionary glycol-based waterless coolant technology in a dispute over the licensing and use of certain patent rights, related know how, and trade secrets, and the payment of royalties from their use. The matter involved complex issues of patent infringement and claims construction of patents related to non-aqueous  heat transfer fluid systems. The arbitrator ultimately awarded the claimants less than one-third of their demand.

Global supplier of power coverage and storage technology—Successful defense on appeal following favorable settlement in qui tam related litigation

Successfully defended a favorable ruling on appeal before the Third Circuit on behalf of a global supplier of power coverage and storage technology. The underlying dispute derived from a qui tam suit filed under the False Claims Act claiming defective manufacturing of the backup power supply units to the United States ICBM Missile System. Initially, we conducted an internal investigation and, after a number of proffers to the government, successfully convinced the Department of Justice to close its criminal investigation of our client. The related civil qui tam action settled on the eve of trial for a small fraction of the $33 million demanded by the Relator. Under the False Claims Act, the settlement technically entitled the Relator to an award of “reasonable” attorneys’ fees. McCarter, however, challenged the amount claimed as excessive, and secured an order that nearly cut the requested fees in half.  

Global motor coach manufacturer and distributor—Withdrawal of class action

Successfully defended a global manufacturer and distributor of commercial motor coaches and related entities against a putative class action pending in the US District Court for the Northern District of California. Plaintiff’s claims arose from alleged manufacturing and design defects of commercial motor coaches manufactured by our client that purportedly rendered them unreliable for service. Plaintiff filed the action on behalf of a putative nationwide class seeking damages to recover the cost of the motor coaches and other damages, with potential exposure in the tens of millions of dollars. We filed a motion to dismiss the class action complaint, resulting in Plaintiff’s decision to voluntarily dismiss the action in its entirety.

National registered investment advisor—Successful defense of ERISA claim

Successfully defended a registered investment advisor in an action in the US District Court for the District of Connecticut initiated by trustees of a union fund over losses stemming from investments related to the sub-prime mortgage crisis. Plaintiffs asserted claims for breach of fiduciary duty under ERISA, breach of contract, and negligent misrepresentation based on allegations that our client had failed to monitor the investments exposed to mortgage-backed securities. All claims were resolved under a confidential settlement agreement for a small fraction of the claimed damages and for less than defense costs.

National broker/dealer investment advisor—Successful defense of $7.5 million industry claim

Successfully defended a national investment advisor affiliate and its principals against a $7.5 million claim in a FINRA arbitration involving civil RICO claims and additional claims for unfair trade practices, defamation, breach of contract, tortious interference, conversion, and statutory theft. After 39 days of hearings, the dispute culminated in a defense decision ordering the claimant to pay over $1.1 million to our clients on the counterclaims, which amount included punitive damages and attorneys’ fees.

National real estate brokerage—Successful defense of copyright action

Successfully defended a national real estate brokerage firm in a copyright infringement action brought in the US District of Massachusetts asserting claims of copyright infringement and false designation of origin in the form of reverse-passing-off in violation of the Lanham Act. Plaintiff claimed unauthorized use of copyrighted blueprints, technical drawings and related images for marketing and advertising purposes on various websites. Following the filing of our motion to dismiss the Lanham Act claim, plaintiff withdrew that cause of action, and the remaining copyright infringement claim was resolved for a nominal amount.

E-commerce company—Copyright infringement 

Representing client in a copyright infringement action in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York over the client’s alleged misuse of copyrighted photographs. Other defendants include Orbitz, Expedia, Frommers, and Hotels.com. 

National residential mortgage broker—Dismissal of all claims in unfair trade practices dispute

Secured the complete dismissal, with prejudice, of an action filed against a national residential mortgage broker in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut. The Court granted our motion to dismiss in its entirety, dismissing the five-count complaint against the client, which included claims of fraudulent misrepresentation and unfair trade practices related to allegations that the client orchestrated a scheme to fraudulently acquire the business assets of a competitor. The action was dismissed with prejudice and the Court denied the plaintiff leave to amend the pleadings. 

Highlights

Recognitions

<em>The Best Lawyers in America</em>, Commercial Litigation, Connecticut, 2021
The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, Connecticut, 2021
<em>New England and Connecticut Super Lawyer</em>, 2017–2020
<em>New England and Connecticut Rising Star</em>, Super Lawyers, 2009–2016
New England and Connecticut Super Lawyer, 2017–2020 New England and Connecticut Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2009–2016
New Leaders in the Law, <em>Connecticut Law Tribune</em>, 2013
New Leaders in the Law, Connecticut Law Tribune, 2013
40 Under 40, <em>Hartford Business Journal</em>, 2011
40 Under 40, Hartford Business Journal, 2011

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Services

Business Litigation
Government Investigations & White Collar Defense
Class Action & Multidistrict Litigation
Securities Litigation
Government Contracts & Global Trade

Education

Quinnipiac University School of Law JD, cum laude, 2001
  • Articles Editor, Quinnipiac Law Review
Quinnipiac University BS, summa cum laude, 1998

Bar Admissions

Connecticut
Massachusetts
New York

Court Admissions

U.S. Court of AppealsFirst, Second and Third CircuitsU.S. District CourtDistrict of ConnecticutU.S. District CourtNorthern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of New YorkU.S. District CourtDistrict of MassachusettsU.S. District CourtEastern District of MichiganU.S. District CourtEastern District of Wisconsin

Memberships & Affiliations

American Bar Association

Boston Bar Association

Connecticut Bar Association

New York State Bar Association

American Bar Foundation
Fellow

Connecticut Bar Foundation
Life Fellow

Litigation Counsel of America
Fellow

Diversity Law Institute

Trial Law Institute

KNOX
Former Board of Directors

National Association of Women Lawyers

Federal Bar Association

Languages

Portuguese
Insights Publication Magazine Stack
Publications|Article
Universities Are Prime Targets for False Claims Act Liability
Pratt’s Government Contracting Law Report
4.1.2017
Insights Speaking Microphone 2
Events|Speaking Engagement
NCMA 56th Annual March Workshop
National Contract Management Association (NCMA) Boston Chapter
3.8.2017
Insights Speaking Podium
Speaking Engagement
The False Claims Act: A Primer on Potential Liability and the Importance of a Proper Response
3.8.2017
Insights Publication Magazine Corner
Publications|Alert
Universities Are Prime Targets for False Claims Act Liability
12.15.2016
Insights Awards Trophy
News|Recognition
2015 Litigation Department of the Year Profile: Writing the Book on Business Law
​Connecticut Law Tribune
5.18.2015
Insights Publication Magazine Pages
Publications|Alert
And Now More Disclosure Requirements for Federal Contractors – Employee Compensation
Government Contracts Alert
8.21.2014
Insights Publication Magazine Pages
Publications|Alert
Executive Order Continues Focus on Labor Laws for Contractors
8.11.2014
Insights News Contract Stack
Publications|Alert
Whistleblower Expenses Not Allowable
7.30.2014
Insights News Open Stack
Publications|Alert
D.C. Circuit Overturns Lower Court Ruling and Reaffirms the Ability of In-House Counsel to Conduct Internal Investigations
7.1.2014
Insights News Headline Stack
News|Quote
Q&A: Hartford Lawyers Decode CT’s Business Litigation Landscape
Hartford Business Journal
2.3.2014
Insights Speaking Microphone Women
Events|Speaking Engagement
Handling Business Litigation in Connecticut State and Federal Courts
Super CLE Year-End Program presented by the Connecticut Law Tribune
12.7.2013
Insights Publication Magazine Corner
Publications|Article
Litigation Strategies for Government Contracts
Aspatore Press, Thomson Reuters
7.1.2011
McCarter & English, LLP
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The McCarter & English, LLP website is for informational purposes only. We do not provide legal advice on this website. We can provide legal advice only to our clients in specific inquiries that they address to us. If you are interested in becoming a client, please contact us, but do not send any information about your specific legal question. We cannot serve as your lawyers until we establish an attorney-client relationship, which can occur only after we follow procedures within our firm and after we agree to the terms of the representation.

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