Vreeland_Cynthia

Cynthia D. Vreeland

Retired Partner

Cindy Vreeland retired from WilmerHale as a nationally recognized litigator with more than 30 years experience litigating a range of high-stakes disputes, with a particular focus on patent and trade secret litigation. She served as lead or co-lead counsel in more than 20 trials, successfully trying cases in technologies ranging from wireless devices, semiconductor chips and computer storage, to medical devices, superconducting materials and pharmaceuticals.  Ms. Vreeland’s work earned her a spot as one of only two IP litigators selected by Law360 for its inaugural list of “Top Female Trial Attorneys.” She was twice named as the Boston Patent Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in America (2024, 2022), and was recognized by Chambers USA, Managing IP, IAM Patent 1000 and Boston Magazine for her intellectual property litigation practice.

Ms. Vreeland also maintained an active pro bono practice, including precedent-setting representation of human trafficking victims. Ms. Vreeland led the team that successfully represented pro bono client Lisa Ricchio in the first civil sex trafficking case filed against a motel under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). The case received significant media attention and set several important precedents under the TVPA, making it possible for trafficking victims across the United States to file similar suits. The National Law Journal recognized Ms. Vreeland as a “Plaintiffs’ Lawyers Trailblazer” for her work on behalf of Ms. Ricchio, and the Human Trafficking Center named the Ricchio team its “Litigation Team of the Year” for 2020.

Credentials

  • Education

    • JD, University of Chicago Law School, 1990

      with honors
    • BA, Baylor University, 1987

      summa cum laude

Credentials

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