Cynthia S. Arato

Cynthia S. Arato is a founding partner at Shapiro Arato Bach LLP and an accomplished trial and appellate attorney with a focus on intellectual property, media, entertainment, and commercial litigation. With a career spanning several decades, she has successfully represented a broad range of clients, including major corporations, record labels, publishers, and high-profile individuals in complex legal matters.

Cynthia earned her J.D. from Columbia University School of Law in 1991, where she was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar for three consecutive years and served as Managing Editor of the Columbia Journal of Transnational Law. She holds a B.A. in International Relations, cum laude and with distinction, from the University of Pennsylvania.

Cynthia is a versatile litigator whose practice spans copyright, trademark, defamation, right of publicity, false advertising, employment law, breach of contract, and fiduciary duty disputes. She has extensive experience handling royalty disputes, fraud claims, and other high-stakes commercial litigation. Known for her strategic legal counsel and strong courtroom advocacy, Cynthia regularly advises clients on intellectual property protection for advertising campaigns, brand development, and entertainment products and content.

Notably, Cynthia served as lead trial counsel for the Connecticut House Select Committee of Inquiry during the impeachment proceedings against Governor John G. Rowland. Her work led to a landmark ruling from the state’s highest court and ultimately contributed to the governor’s resignation.

Prior to co-founding her current firm, Cynthia S. Arato was a partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and other nationally recognized firms, including the boutique litigation firm Parcher, Hayes & Snyder. She is admitted to practice in both New York and California. Cynthia continues to be a trusted legal strategist for media, entertainment, and IP matters, delivering successful outcomes in both trial and advisory roles.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Shapiro Arato Bach LLP
• Member, New York State Bar Association, Committee on Media Law

Licensed State

• New York
• California

Education

• Columbia University School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Pennsylvania
  BA in International Relations

Awards & Badges