Overview
Siddartha Rao is a commercial litigator who has represented clients ranging from small businesses and individuals to large corporations. His practice experience includes litigation in Federal and State trial and appellate courts, as well as arbitration forums such as AAA and JAMS. He has litigated issues including cryptocurrency disputes, Federal securities claims, intellectual property (copyright, trademark, trade secrets and unfair competition), business defamation and libel, business valuation, and commercial tort and contract claims. Previously, Siddartha was an associate at Zeichner Ellman & Krause, managed a boutique practice (Rao Law Group) and was a litigation partner at Romano Law, PLLC.
Siddartha seeks to distill complex business and financial risk issues into practical litigation advice, with an eye to resolving disputes without trial whenever possible. He received his J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law and a B.A. from Middlebury College, where he was a funded Eastman research scholar in the mathematics department. Siddartha was consistently recognized as a Super Lawyers New York Metro Rising Star since 2013 and has been recognized as a New York “Super Lawyer” every year since 2023. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Recognition
Named as a New York Metro Super Lawyer’s Rising Star (2013, 2015 - 2019)
Named as a New York Metro Super Lawyer (2023-2025)
Million Dollar Advocates Forum Member
Leadership
New York City Bar Association Member, Former Secretary of Information Technology and Cyber Law Committee
Member of Sedona Conference, Working Group 1
New York Asian Film Foundation – Board Member
Western Wind Vocal Ensemble – Board Member
Akshaya Patra, USA – Co-Chair Emeritus, Young Professionals Program
Experience
Experience
First chaired federal jury trial defense of criminally convicted client against civil fraud and conspiracy claims, resulting in zero liability.
First chaired arbitration hearing resulting in seven figure judgment against cryptocurrency platform, earning 99 percent of fees.
Defended prominent radio host and agents in serial litigations, successfully arguing Federal Copyright pre-emption of state law claims in both actions.
Represented Brooklyn-based artist against multinational corporation in reverse confusion/theft of branding action.
Litigated employment issues of first impression concerning intersection of New York State Civil Service and Finance law.
Litigated Federal case against Church of Latter-Day Saints on issues concerning trademark rights in term “Mormon.”
Reversed 10(b)(5) securities fraud jury trial verdict with post-trial motion on loss causation.
Obtained dismissal of sixteen claims in Lanham Act dispute litigated through bench trial, awarded trademark defense fees.
Defended environmental scientists in multi-billion-dollar federal RICO action and obstruction of justice charges brought by Chevron Corporation concerning Ecuadorian environmental liabilities.
Assisted internal bank investigations concerning alleged multi-billion-dollar fraud impacting litigation in Southern District of New York, UK, Dubai, and Cayman Islands.
News
News & Insights
Admissions
Admissions
- Bar of the State of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York
- U.S. Court of International Trade
Practice Areas
Education
- University of Texas School of Law, J.D. (2008)
- Texas Law Review
- Order of the Barristers
- Middlebury College B.A., (2004)
- Eastman Scholar
- Commencement Speaker