Hernsdorf

Christina Hernsdorf

Associate
New York

I support news and entertainment clients in exercising their First Amendment rights, including defamation defense and press access matters across the country.

Christina Hernsdorf’s practice concentrates on First Amendment and media law, including litigation related to free speech, newsgathering, and government transparency.

Prior to joining Foley Hoag, Christina served as an associate at another global law firm, where she litigated trial court- and appellate-level matters concerning free speech, newsgathering, and government transparency, with an emphasis on defending news media organizations, documentary filmmakers, and technology companies from defamation, right of publicity, and related claims.

Christina also spent three years as a supervising attorney in the Cornell Law School First Amendment Clinic, where she litigated matters involving free speech, civic participation, and government transparency in state and federal courts at all stages of litigation. Her experience includes briefing and arguing a First Amendment challenge before the New York Court of Appeals; contesting a gag order that restricted a criminal defendant’s social media use; and bringing constitutional challenges to state laws and government actions that infringed on protected speech. She also defended multiple libel actions on appeal under New York’s anti-SLAPP law and secured reversals of local government policies that unlawfully limited speech. During her time at the clinic, Christina additionally obtained access to public records and conducted pre‑publication review for journalists.

Before her work at Cornell, Christina practiced at two global law firms, gaining substantial experience in securities litigation, government investigations, and white‑collar criminal defense in both state and federal jurisdictions.

She also maintains an active pro bono practice focused on First Amendment and veterans’ issues.

Education

  • J.D., Stanford Law School, 2017
  • B.S., University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2014
  • B.A., University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2014

Bar and Court Admissions

Bar Admissions:

  • California
  • New York

Court Admissions:

  • 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 Northern District of California

Experience

Media and Entertainment Litigation

  • Bates v. Gannett Co., Inc., New York State Supreme Court, Monroe County, E2019009790 (Mar. 23, 2026) (granting motion to quash subpoenas seeking journalists’ newsgathering materials pursuant to New York’s Shield Law). *
  • Merrill v. Riley Kirk, S. District Court, Northern District of New York, 6:25-cv-00800-AMN-CBF (Mar. 17, 2026) (granting Rule 12 motion to dismiss defamation complaint based on New York’s statutory fair report privilege). *
  • Sunwest Bank v. Gannett Co., Inc., et al., U.S. District Court, District of Utah, 2:24-cv-00876-DBB-JCB (Feb. 5, 2026) (in response to Rule 12(c) motion for judgment on the pleadings regarding false light claim, certifying question of law to Utah Supreme Court regarding corporate entity’s ability to bring false light invasion of privacy claim under Utah law). *
  • Jesse Lubinsky v. David McKay Wilson, Gannett Co., et al., New York State Supreme Court, Westchester County, 51103/2020 (Sept. 25, 2025) (granting summary judgment dismissing defamation complaint). *
  • Sunwest Bank v. Gannett Co., Inc., et al., U.S. District Court, District of Utah, 2:24-cv-00876-DBB-JCB (Sept. 22, 2025) (granting in part motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim under Rule 12(b)(6) and Utah’s Uniform Public Expression Protection Act, dismissing claims for defamation, defamation per se, and defamation by implication). *
  • Hindu Am. Found. v. Viswanath, 646 F. Supp. 3d 78, 85 (D.D.C. 2022) (granting Rule 12 motion to dismiss on personal jurisdiction grounds and for failure to state a claim; represented university history professor defendant). *
  • Negotiated reinstatement of two individuals to city citizen advisory board following their removal for First Amendment-protected speech. *
  • Negotiated reversal of civil fines imposed on client targeted for selective enforcement of city’s graffiti ordinance based on content of stickers client posted in public locations. *

Other Litigation and Government Investigations

  • Represented investor in co‑working office space and real estate company in challenge to terminated tender offer in the Delaware Court of Chancery, resulting in settlement two weeks before trial. *
  • Represented public utility company in investigations by California Public Utilities Commission and related proceedings concerning California wildfires. *
  • Represented senior executive of public company in accounting fraud investigation by Department of Justice and Securities Exchange Commission. *
  • Represented automotive parts supplier in government investigations and civil litigation relating to automotive emissions regulations. *

*Handled prior to joining Foley Hoag.

Honors & Involvement

Involvement: 

  • Media Law Resource Center (Litigation Committee, Anti-SLAPP Committee)
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (volunteer mentor)

Publications

  • Media Privacy & Related Law 50-State Survey: Survey of Second Circuit Privacy and Related Claims Against the Media, Media Law Resource Center (co-author, 2024–25 & 2025–26 eds.).