Partner

Ms. Cieslak's practice focuses on all aspects of labor and employment litigation in state and federal courts, as well as administrative agencies, including the defense of public sector and private employers against claims of discrimination, wage and hour violations, breach of contract, free speech retaliation, whistleblower retaliation, and other civil rights violations. Ms. Cieslak also handles appeals before the Appellate and Supreme Courts of Connecticut.

Ms. Cieslak also provides advice to employers regarding compliance with labor and employment laws. She conducts workplace investigations, and she prepares employee handbooks and best practices manuals for employers. Further, Ms. Cieslak assists employers with affirmative action plans, OFCCP audits, and compliance with laws and regulations pertaining to government contractors.

Ms. Cieslak has been recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, and she has been selected to the Connecticut Rising Stars List by Super Lawyers Magazine since 2015. Additionally, in 2019, Ms. Cieslak was also awarded a Professional Excellence Award as New Leader in the Law by the Connecticut Law Tribune. She also has a "AV Preeminent" rating by Martindale-Hubbell, having been recognized by her peers for having very high ethical standards and the highest level of professional excellence. 

Prior to joining Rose Kallor, Ms. Cieslak was an attorney at a small Connecticut firm that focuses on labor and employment litigation and personal injury law.

Ms. Cieslak holds a Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, in Political Science from the Pennsylvania State University, with minors in Spanish and Women's Studies. While at Penn State, she was named to the Dean's List and was inducted into and elected president of Penn State's Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society. Ms. Cieslak received her Juris Doctor from the University of Connecticut School of Law, where she served as Book Review Editor of the Connecticut Law Review and participated in the American Association for Justice Student Trial Advocacy Competition. She is the recipient of two CALI Awards for Excellence in courses on the First Amendment and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

EDUCATION

The University of Connecticut School of Law J.D., 2012

The Pennsylvania State University, B.A., summa cum laude, 2009

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Ms. Cieslak is a member of the Penn State Alumni Association, Connecticut Valley Chapter.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Connecticut Bar Association, Member

Connecticut Bar Association, Executive Committee, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer 2021-2022

Connecticut Bar Association, House of Delegates, District 12 Delegate (2023-2024)

Connecticut Bar Association, Young Lawyer's Section Executive Committee (ABA YLD Delegate 2022-2023; Immediate Past-Chair 2021-2022; Chair 2020-2021; Chair-Elect 2019-2020; Treasurer, 2018-2019; Secretary 2017-2018; Women in the Law Committee Chair 2016-2017); Connecticut Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section (Vice Chair, 2023-2024; Secretary, 2022-2023; Executive Committee Member 2018-present)

American Bar Association, Member  (Labor & Employment Law Section, Young Lawyers Division, YLD Assembly Operations Task Force; CT YLD Delegate to ABA House of Delegates)

Senior Executive Women's Network, Member 2019-2020

2020 Connecticut Professionals' Leadership Academy, Participant

Connecticut Bar Foundation, Fellow

New England Bar Association, Board of Directors (2023-present)

Connecticut Judicial Branch Civics Academy, Faculty

BAR ADMISSIONS

State of Connecticut

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

State of New York

COURT ADMISSIONS

U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York
U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts