Professionals
Practice Areas
Honors
- Named to "Connecticut Rising Stars," Intellectual Property, Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2009-2011, 2013-2016
- New Leaders in the Law, November 2013, The Connecticut Law Tribune
Admissions
- State of New York, 2008
- U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut, 2007
- State of Connecticut, 2006
Education
The University of New Hampshire School of Law (formerly known as the Franklin Pierce Law Center) J.D., concentration in Intellectual Property, 2006
University of Connecticut, B.A., Political Science & History, cum laude, 2003
Teaching Positions
- Adjunct Professor, Western New England University School of Law, Copyright Law

Michelle P. Ciotola
As Partner and Vice Chair of the Trademark & Copyright Department of Cantor Colburn, Michelle Ciotola concentrates her practice on counseling, protecting and enforcing trademark, trade dress, copyright, and related intellectual property rights, as well as counseling clients in unfair competition, Internet, advertising, and promotions law.
She assists clients in the development and exploitation of their trademark portfolios, including clearance of marks; prosecution of trademark applications before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; and identifying important overseas jurisdiction and filing or coordinating with local counsel for protection and enforcement of marks in those jurisdictions. Michelle develops strategies for the enforcement of her clients’ intellectual property rights, including preparing demand letters, negotiating settlement agreements, handling opposition and cancellation actions before the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and coordinating and overseeing litigation with local counsel around the world. She also develops strategies for enforcement of her clients’ intellectual property rights online, including handling Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy proceedings. Michelle files and prosecutes applications for copyright registration with the U.S. Copyright Office and advises clients on copyright law. She represents clients in trademark due diligence. She drafts and negotiates a wide range of intellectual property agreements, including assignments, licenses, and trademark consent and coexistence agreements.
Michelle is an active member of the International Trademark Association (INTA). She was instrumental in the development of INTA’s law student ambassador program and the annual meeting scholarship program. She is a frequent speaker at the Career Development Day (formerly Academic Day) at INTA’s Annual Meeting.
Experience Highlights
Partner, Cantor Colburn LLP, 2016 - present
Counsel, Cantor Colburn LLP, 2015 - 2016
Associate, Cantor Colburn LLP, 2006 - 2014
Legal Internship, LEGO Systems, Inc., January 2006 - May 2006
Author of a chapter on trademark law for the textbook Intellectual Property as an Emerging Asset Class: Strategy and Management, published by the IP Educational Institute.
News
- February 19, 2018
Cantor Colburn partner Michelle Ciotola was quoted in the article "CT lawsuit tests Google's keyword search ad treatment," (Hartford Business Journal, February 19, 2018) about the lawsuit filed by Edible Arrangements against Google, in which Edible Arrangements demands $209 million in damages and other penalties for trademark infringement and unfair competition and trade practices. Ciotola is chair of the firm's Trademark & Copyright Department.
- October 28, 2016
Cantor Colburn is pleased to announce that four attorneys from its Hartford office were recently named to the 2016 list of Connecticut Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. Andrew C. Ryan, Partner and Chair of the Post-Grant Practice Group, was selected as a Super Lawyer for Intellectual Property Litigation and Michelle Ciotola, partner and Vice Chair of the Trademark & Copyright Department, David Rodrigues, Ph.D., Partner, and Alicia Hayter, Associate, were all recognized as Super Lawyers Rising Stars in Intellectual Property.
- October 23, 2016
On October 19, 2016, more than 30 artists attended a seminar on “Creativity and the Law,” presented by members of Cantor Colburn’s Trademark & Copyright Department. Working with the Greater Hartford Arts Council, a nonprofit supporting arts organizations for more than 45 years, these artists were invited to a seminar about the basics of copyright protection as it relates to their art and livelihood.
- June 30, 2016
Cantor Colburn is pleased to announce the election of Michelle Ciotola to Partner, effective June 15, 2016. Michelle will also become the firm’s Trademark & Copyright Department Vice Chair.
- Law 360June 17, 2016
Michelle Ciotola comments in IP Law 360 on the significance of the Supreme Court's June 17, 2016 ruling in Kirtsaeng v. John Wiley & Sons.
- July 23, 2015
Michelle Ciotola, an attorney in Cantor Colburn LLP’s Trademark & Copyright Department, was selected for inclusion in the forthcoming Top Attorneys of North America edition of The Heritage Registry of Who’s Who, a biographical publication that selects and distinguishes leading professionals throughout North America who have attained a recognizable degree of success in their field of endeavor and thereby contribute to the growth of their industry and profession.
Ms. Ciotola, who was promoted to Counsel at the firm this January, concentrates her practice on counseling, protecting and enforcing trademark, trade dress, copyright, and related intellectual property rights, as well as counseling clients in unfair competition, Internet, advertising, and promotions law.
- The Connecticut Law TribuneApril 20, 2015
Michelle P. Ciotola co-authored the article "Fuzzy Jury Instructions Affected 'Blurred Lines' Case, High-Profile Dispute Reveals Nuances in Music Copyright Laws," published in The Connecticut Law Tribune on April 20, 2015. The Marvin Gaye estate won a $7.4 million judgment after months of legal drama regarding the Robin Thicke / Pharrell Williams song “Blurred Lines,” which they claimed was stolen from Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up.” Pelletier and Ciotola's article highlights the importance of properly instructing a jury in the intricacies of Copyright Law.
- January 22, 2015
Trademark Counsel Michelle Ciotola comments in IP Law 360 on the significance of the Supreme Court's January 21, 2015 ruling in Hana Financial Inc. v. Hana Bank. The court unanimously ruled that so-called trademark tacking is a factual question that should be dealt with by juries.
- December 18, 2014
Cantor Colburn is pleased to announce the election of four new partners, the promotion of five associates to counsel and of one paralegal to associate. The new partners are Victor Kernus, Jaehoon Kim, Howard Levy, and Jeffrey Waters. The new counsel are Eric Baron, Michelle Ciotola, Krista Kostiew, Karen LeCuyer, and Jamie Platkin. Chris Whalley was promoted from Intellectual Property Paralegal to Associate. The promotions are effective January 1, 2015.
- October 20, 2014
Michelle P. Ciotola, a trademark associate attorney at Cantor Colburn, has been selected as a Connecticut Super Lawyers Rising Star in intellectual property for 2014. This is her fourth year receiving this recognition.
- July 11, 2014
Hartford, Conn. — Cantor Colburn will host the September 2014 International Trademark Association (INTA) Trademark Assistant (TMA) roundtable, The Office Action: A Challenge or a Cinch?, in the firm’s Hartford office on September 11th.
- October 21, 2013
Michelle P. Ciotola, an Associate in the Hartford office of Cantor Colburn LLP, has been selected as Connecticut Super Lawyers Rising Star in intellectual property for 2013.
- October 10, 2013
Cantor Colburn LLP has been recognized by 10 different organizations and publications- which heralded 14 attorneys in particular- for excellence in their work in 2013. The Legal 500 has applauded the firm for its “solid reputation in the market of providing an excellent level of service, and having an excellent value for money.” From accolades for the firm as a whole to specific recognition of Cantor Colburn attorneys in diverse practice areas within the field of intellectual property, the firm has enjoyed an abundance of recognition in 2013.
- November 8, 2011
Events
- May 19, 2018Seattle, Washington
The 140th annual meeting of the International Trademark Association (INTA) will take place in Seattle, Washington from May 19-23, 2018. Nearly 10,000 intellectual property professionals from around the world will attend, including a large delegation from Cantor Colburn.
- December 5, 2017Hartford, Connecticut
Cantor Colburn's copyright attorneys are pleased to partner with the Greater Hartford Arts Council and present a copyright basics seminar for artists in all media. This session will inform artists about the rights and protections available to them regarding their creations.
- November 7, 2017Washington, D.C.
The 2017 INTA (International Trademark Association) Leadership Meeting, November 7-10, 2017 in Washington, D.C., brings together INTA volunteer leaders once a year to advance the Association’s objectives and goals. It offers them an advanced-level educational program and the opportunity to conduct business and network with colleagues from around the world.
- September 19, 2017Prague, Czech Republic
- July 19, 2017New York, NY
The New York Intellectual Property Law Association presented Hot Topics in IP Law, Trademark Ethics 101: Investigations, Advance Consents and Terminating Client Relationships at the Princeton Club in New York City on July 19, 2017. Gerard F. Rogers, Chief Administrative Judge of the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, spoke at the event.
- June 28, 2017Budapest, Hungary
Michelle P. Ciotola, Partner and Vice Chair of the firm's Trademark & Copyright Department, attended the European Communities Trade Mark Association (ECTA) 34th Annual Conference in Budapest, Hungary, on June 28, 2017.
- May 20, 2017Barcelona, Spain
The 139th annual meeting of the International Trademark Association (INTA) took place in Barcelona, Spain from May 20-24, 2017 and was attended by more than 9,500 trademark professionals including a large delegation from Cantor Colburn.
- November 15, 2016Hollywood, Florida
The 2016 INTA Leadership Meeting, November 15-18 in Hollywood, Florida, brings together INTA volunteer leaders once a year to advance the Association’s objectives and goals. It offers them an advanced-level educational program and the opportunity to conduct business and network with colleagues from around the world.
INTA is a global association of trademark owners and professionals dedicated to supporting trademarks and related intellectual property in order to protect consumers and to promote fair and effective commerce.
- October 19, 2016Hartford, Connecticut
Cantor Colburn presents a seminar for artists on copyright law through our partnership with the Greater Hartford Arts Council, entitled "Creativity and the Law." Cantor Colburn attorneys will show the importance of using intellectual property law, especially copyright law, to protect artists.
- July 27, 2016Alicante, Spain
Michelle Ciotola, Partner and Trademark & Copyright Department Vice Chair, will attend The MARQUES 30th Annual Conference that takes place on September 20-23, 2016 in Alicante, Spain. This year's conference theme is BRANDS versus TRADEMARKS - TRADEMARKS versus BRANDS. Many of the sessions will address different aspects of this question, focusing on the legal issues and challenges of brands vs trademarks.
- International Trademark Association (INTA) Annual MeetingMay 21, 2016Orlando, Florida
- November 17, 2015Panama City, Panama
The INTA Leadership Meeting brings together INTA volunteer leaders once a year to advance the Association’s objectives and goals.
- September 14, 2015Vienna, Austria
Michelle Ciotola, Counsel in the firm's Trademark & Copyright Department, will attend the 29th MARQUES Annual Conference in Vienna, Austria in September 2015. The theme of the conference is “Mind the Brand! Psychology of Brands.”
- June 10, 2015Hamburg, Germany
Cantor Colburn Trademark Counsel Michelle P. Ciotola will attend the European Communities Trade Mark Association (ECTA) 34th Annual Conference in Hamburg, Germany on June 10, 2015.
- May 4, 2015San Diego, California
Trademark Counsel Michelle Ciotola gave a presentation entitled “What They Didn’t Teach You in Law School about Trademark Law” during the International Trademark Association (INTA) Annual Meeting 2015 Career Development Day.
- May 2, 2015San Diego, California
The 137th annual meeting of the International Trademark Association (INTA) takes place in San Diego, California and will be attended by more than 9,500 trademark professionals including a large delegation from Cantor Colburn.
- INTA Leadership Meeting 2014November 11, 2014Phoenix, Arizona
- September 11, 2014Hartford, CT
Cantor Colburn will host the September 2014 International Trademark Association (INTA) Trademark Assistant (TMA) roundtable, The Office Action: A Challenge or a Cinch?, in the firm’s Hartford office on September 11th.
- May 6, 2013Dallas, Texas
Trademark Counsel Michelle Ciotola gave a presentation entitled “What They Didn’t Teach You in Law School about Trademark Law” during the International Trademark Association (INTA) Annual Meeting 2013 Career Development Day.
- May 4, 2013Dallas, Texas
- International Trademark Association (INTA) Annual Meeting 2012May 5, 2012Washington, D.C.
- Speaker, "Patent, Trademark and Copyright Overview"March 2012Women’s Enterprise Development Center, White Plains, NY
- International Trademark Association (INTA) Annual MeetingMay 14, 2011San Francisco, California
- Moderator, International Trademark Association Panel Discussion: Careers in Trademark LawMay 2011International Trademark Association Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA
- Facilitator, International Trademark Association Working Lunch for Law StudentsMay 2011International Trademark Association Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA
- Speaker, International Trademark Association Panel Discussion: Careers in Trademark LawMay 2010International Trademark Association Annual Meeting, Boston, MA
- Roundtable Host, International Trademark Association Administrator and Paralegal Roundtable, "Proper Trademark Use,"February 2009
Speaker, International Trademark Association What They Didn’t Teach You in Law School About Trademark Law, International Trademark Association Annual Meeting, Dallas, TX, May 2013
Facilitator, International Trademark Association Working Lunch for Law Students, International Trademark Association Annual Meeting, Dallas, TX, May 2013
Organizer, International Trademark Association Career Development Day, International Trademark Association Annual Meeting, Dallas, TX, 2013
Facilitator, International Trademark Association Working Lunch for Law Students, International Trademark Association Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, May 2012
Professional Affiliations
American Bar Association, Intellectual Property Section
European Communities Trade Mark Association (ECTA)
Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO)
International Trademark Association (INTA)
- Academic Committee; Co-Chair of the Student Membership Team, 2008-2011
MARQUES - The Association of European Trade Mark Owners
Connecticut Bar Association, Intellectual Property Section
New York State Bar Association
Community/Civic Involvement
Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Glastonbury, Board Member, 2014-2016