DJ Cespedes is an associate in the firm's IP, Tech & Data Group and focuses his practice on Intellectual Property litigation, enforcement, as well as domestic and international trademark prosecution and clearance.
DJ graduated from the University of San Francisco Law School with a certificate in Intellectual Property and Technology Law. DJ is a fierce oral advocate. While at USF, DJ received the 2012 Moot Court Best Oral Advocate award, was the champion of the USF 2013 Advocate of the Year Competition and received the Creativity in Trial Advocacy award for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA) Intensive Advocacy Program in 2014. In addition, DJ competed in the International Trademark Association’s Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court Competition as well as the American Bar Association’s Civil Trial Advocacy Competition.
Prior to joining Reed Smith, DJ worked at the Contra Costa County Public Defender's Office, and the Santa Clara County Alternate Defenders Office prior to that. During that time, he vigorously advocated for his clients, negotiated felony and misdemeanor cases in court, researched and drafted briefs related to complex criminal law issues and constitutional rights, appeared in court regularly, and successfully litigated motions to suppress evidence. Additionally, he has litigated a number of preliminary hearings, resulting in the discharge of felony charges.
DJ was also a legal extern for the law firm of Novak Druce Connolly Bove + Quigg, where he focused on trademark, copyright, and patent matters.
DJ also has international experience, having interned in Paris working on French and European patent and copyright matters.
