Richard A. DeMaio heads CMM’s Landlord Tenant practice with support from Patrick McCormick, dean of landlord tenant proceedings on Long Island, and Special Counsel Michael McCarthy. Richard also focuses on litigation in varied subject matter including landlord-tenant cases, business disputes, contract issues, environmental matters, a variety of appeals, and municipal matters in state and federal court. His municipal work includes Article 78 proceedings, zoning/land use matters, and defending municipalities.
Richard works extensively on motion practice and appellate practice. He has argued and won several appeals pertaining to land use/zoning, commercial, and general litigation. Richard’s trial experience includes handling all aspects of trial preparation, trial strategy, and drafting trial memoranda, including successfully representing landlords at trial. His work has led to many successful outcomes and creative litigation strategies for the firm’s clients, particularly in the areas of municipal liability, commercial litigation, and environmental issues.
Richard has been actively involved in the Suffolk County Bar Association (SCBA). In addition to his role on the Board of Directors for the SCBA, Richard currently serves as Treasurer and an officer of the Suffolk Academy of Law, the educational arm of the Suffolk County Bar Association. He is also on the Board of Managers for the Suffolk County Bar Association Charity Foundation and serves as Chair of the SCBA Newly Admitted Attorneys Committee. Previously, he served as Co-Chair of the Membership Services & Activities Committee.
Richard joined CMM as a Summer Associate in 2016. While in law school, Richard served as Notes Editor for Hofstra Law Review.
Education
- Hofstra University, Honors College, B.A., magna cum laude
- Hofstra University, Maurice A. Deane School of Law, J.D., cum laude
Admissions
- New York
- United States District Court, Eastern District of New York
Boards, Associations, and Leadership
- Suffolk County Bar Association, Director
- Suffolk Academy of Law, Treasurer and Officer
- Suffolk County Bar Association, Chair of Newly Admitted Attorneys Committee
- Federal Bar Association
Recognitions
- Super Lawyers Rising Star (2021 – 2025)
- Leadership in Law Award, Long Island Business News (2024)
- Notes Editor, Hofstra Law Review, Volume 45
In the News
- CMM Secures Win for East End Homeowner Association
- Richard DeMaio Named Leadership in Law Award Honoree
- 6 CMM Attorneys Recognized as 2024 Super Lawyers® and 4 Named Rising Stars
- CMM Wins Dock Permit Case for Asharoken Residents, Protecting Ida Smith Beach
- DeMaio Elected as a Director of the Suffolk County Bar Association
- CMM’s Litigation Team Prevails for Nassau County Public Authority
- CMM Secures Dismissal of Malicious Prosecution Claim Against Suffolk County Town
- DeMaio Sworn in as Officer of the Suffolk Academy of Law
- CMM Overcomes Motion to Dismiss in Real Property Compensation Lawsuit
- Richard DeMaio Promoted to Senior Associate
- More...
- CMM Prevails for Cardi B, Securing Dismissal of Attempted Celebrity Shakedown Disguised as Libel Lawsuit
- CMM Secures Dismissal of Lawsuit in Federal Court in Arizona
- CMM Prevails on Behalf of St. James Fire District in Appeal
- CMM Secures Dismissal of Engineering-Related Lawsuit Against Suffolk County Town
- CMM Prevails on Behalf of Suffolk County Town in First Amendment Lawsuit
- CMM’s Municipal Liability Team Saves Smithtown Millions in Potential Exposure
- CMM Prevails for Employer in Hard-Fought Summary Judgment Motion in Wage Case
- Case Dismissed! CMM Prevails on Behalf of Stony Brook Fire District
- CMM Secures Dismissal of Complex Breach of Contract Case Filed Against Our Client
- CMM Prevails for East End Village in Zoning Appeal
- Lawsuit Against Town of Smithtown Dismissed Thanks to CMM’s Municipal Liability Team
- CMM Secures Dismissal of $20 Million Breach of Contract Case Against Our Client in Federal Court
- CMM Municipal Team Defeats Court Challenge Filed Against East End Village and its Planning Board
- CMM Successfully Obtains a Critical Restraining Order for Client in Hostile Shareholder Dispute
- CMM’s Municipal Litigation Team Prevails in Land Use Case
- CMM Prevails in Commercial Litigation Matter Involving Diversion of Funds and Theft of Proprietary Data
- CMM Land Use Litigation Team Prevails in Complex Case Based on First Amendment Rights
- Case Dismissed! CMM Successfully Moves for Dismissal of Negligence Action in Federal Court
- CMM’s Creative Lawyering Results in Significant Settlement for Family in Wrongful Death Case
- CMM Secures Dismissal of Case in a Victory for Limo Company and Insurance Carrier
- CMM’s Municipal Litigation Team Prevails in Court on Behalf of St. James Fire District
- CMM Welcomes Richard A. DeMaio as an Associate
Articles
- Published in The Legal Brief: Ethics and AI: What Lawyers Need to Know