Arianna Demas focuses her practice on high-stakes business disputes, complex litigation, and white collar investigations.
Prior to joining Hueston Hennigan, Ms. Demas was a William J. Brennan First Amendment Fellow for the American Civil Liberties Union. While in law school, Ms. Demas worked as an intern for the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University and as an intern for the Hon. Sandra L. Townes for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. She also served as the executive editor for the Michigan Law Review.
Experience
On behalf of Amazon and Twitch, secured a first-of-its-kind decision in New York state, with the New York appellate court dismissing lawsuits alleging our clients and other social media companies were liable for the fatal mass shooting in Buffalo, New York. The plaintiffs—victims of the shooting and their family members—contend the shooter was radicalized by extremist and racist content on social media and that his ability to livestream on Twitch motivated him to commit the crimes. (See “Social media companies not liable for 2022 Buffalo mass shooting, New York court rules,” Reuters; “Social Media Cos. Score Toss Of 2022 Mass Shooting Suit,” Law360; “In Buffalo Shooting Massacre, Appellate Judges Dismiss Claims Against Social Media Companies,” Law.com).
Representing Kelly Toys, maker of the top-selling toy in the US for 2023 “Squishmallows,” in a copyright infringement lawsuit against Build-A-Bear Workshop for its copycat Skoosherz product. (See “Squishmallows has launched a legal fight against Build-A-Bear,” BBC; “Squishmallows Battle Skoosherz In Plushie IP Suits,” Law360).
Prevailed at the California Court of Appeal for McDonald’s USA, convincing the court to unanimously affirm the dismissal of a $100 million fraud suit brought by Byron Allen over ad spend on black-owned media through a motion under California’s “anti-SLAPP” statute. (See “Byron Allen Can’t Revive $100M McDonald’s Fraud Suit,” Law360; “McDonald’s Secures Dismissal of $100M Fraud Suit Over Ad Spend on Black-Owned Media,” The Recorder; “Appeals court tosses Byron Allen ad suit against McDonald’s,” Daily Journal; “McDonald’s Fends Off $100 Million Byron Allen Suit Over Ads,” Bloomberg Law).
Represented Monster Energy in various federal lawsuits concerning marketing and advertising.
Represent former Board of Directors in a federal securities lawsuit in S.D.N.Y. regarding statements made in relation to their company’s public offering.
Successfully represented a high school student in U.S. Supreme Court case regarding students’ First Amendment speech rights, prevailing in an 8-1 decision.
Successfully represented a high-profile former Trump counsel in federal habeas corpus case in S.D.N.Y. after the government revoked his release from prison for his efforts to publish an anti-Trump book in violation of his First Amendment rights.
Represented journalists in a lawsuit against the federal government for its improper detention and interrogation of them at the border in violation of their First Amendment rights.
Lead attorney in federal lawsuit against the FBI in relation to its “Electronic Device Analysis Unit,” regarding its ability to gain access to encrypted devices.