Meet the Team

Marni oversees Seiter IP's operations and manages the trademark and design portfolios of our clients domestically and internationally. She has been working in the IP industry for over 26 years, having worked her way up from a secretarial role when she first began her career to her managerial role today.

​Over the years, Marni has seen many changes in the trademark and design laws and practices of Singapore as well as the other ASEAN countries. She has an exceptional grasp of procedural matters in each jurisdiction and has a wealth of experience in this field. She is service-oriented and efficient, a quality our clients appreciate. 

​Her areas of expertise include filing trademark and design applications, trademark prosecution, liaising and communicating with our local counsels within the region, preparing and drafting reports for contentious matters such as oppositions, cancellations, and invalidations. She is also responsible for training the firm's paralegals and administrative staff.

Prior to joining us, Marni worked at a Singapore IP boutique firm for over 10 years. Marni is a member of the International Trademark Association (INTA).​​​

Alishia is a Partner of the firm. She has been part of the Seiter team since August 2020 and has contributed tremendously to the growth of the firm and its clients, with her innovative marketing and business development ideas. With all her positive contributions, she became a partner in 2023. Alishia is known for wearing many hats throughout her career, all of which have been deeply rooted in helping the people around her. She has a deep passion for business development and works in areas of pricing, sales, channel management, go-to-market strategy, commercial productivity, and business strategy.

With over 13 years of working independently, Alishia is no stranger to the trials and tribulations of being a serial entrepreneur. She holds a good sense of market demand and quickly grasps the dynamics of any industry that lands on her desk. From creating strategies to move products or creating brands that remain competitive in their respective landscapes, no task is too great as she demonstrates the ability to get the job done whilst maintaining positive client experiences. She has also quickly developed some legal knowledge and skills in trademark law that have allowed her to advance her career in the IP field. Alishia continues to shine in her different roles at the firm and is a great asset to the company.

Vanessa has over 20 years of experience in intellectual property, corporate, and commercial matters, working both in-house and as an outside adviser. Ms. Backman brings a practical, business-minded approach. Ms. Backman's in-house experience includes spending time at two of the world's most recognized brands, such as Apple and adidas. Following her in-house roles, she launched her own legal consulting practice. Her focus has been to share her knowledge and experience to support organizations of all sizes, from start-ups to longstanding ventures, on both the local and global levels.

Utilizing her strong brand integrity background, she places an emphasis on the development and execution of strategies to effectively safeguard brands. She prides herself on building strong relationships with key business stakeholders and executive leadership. While she has a passion for everything sports-related, she has worked across a broad range of industries, including highly regulated areas such as pharmaceuticals & medical devices, food & beverage, technology, and real estate.

Throughout her career, Ms. Backman has been active in industry organizations, working to share best practices, industry contacts, and government affiliations in support of intellectual property protection across all industries.

Cara is a newly licensed lawyer from the Philippines who joined the firm in January 2025. Since then, she has supported the team through a mix of general intellectual property (IP) administrative tasks and foundational legal work, such as assisting in the drafting and preparation of documents that help protect clients’ rights. Her interest in IP law comes from its ability to safeguard creativity, innovation, and brand identity, ensuring that ideas and hard work can thrive in a competitive world. She enjoys learning the practical and legal sides of IP, building her skills while contributing to meaningful projects.

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With her legal background, attention to detail, and eagerness to grow, Cara brings dedication and care to her role, making her a valuable part of the team and our mission to deliver quality service to our clients.

Oleksandra is a Trademark Administrator of the firm. She joined the firm in February 2019, having moved to California from Ukraine in 2018. 

​In Ukraine, she worked with the firm MSP International as a trademark search specialist and liaised with domestic clients regularly. In years of experience, Oleksandra worked with clients from Eastern European countries, in various specialized industries. Her strengths are multi-tasking, critical thinking, integrity, accuracy, problem-solving skills, and a positive attitude. 

With years of experience in sales, customer service, and the financial sector, Javid brings a wealth of business insight and client-focused expertise to Seiter IP. He has now transitioned into the legal sector, where he supports the firm’s business development efforts and contributes to strengthening client relationships and growth initiatives..