2025 Vault Rankings
About Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC
Frankfurt Kurnit represents some of the world’s best-known publishers, producers, directors, distributors, actors, celebrities, models, writers, financiers, charitable organizations, online content and service providers, and many of the foremost advertising agencies, interactive entertainment companies, information technology companies, and corporate brands. The firm also represents corporate and individual clients in complex business transactions, commercial disputes, and across a number of other practice areas.
Entertainment and More
Frankfurt Kurnit was founded in 1977 by five attorneys looking to service the robust New York City entertainment scene. The firm’s early clients included Sidney Lumet, Al Pacino, Carl Bernstein, Elaine May, and Robert Redford. Founder Mike Frankfurt represented Robert Redford in the purchase of the Utah mountain that would become Sundance (and Frankfurt even claims to have come up with the name). Since then, the firm has worked with clients on transaction- and litigation-related entertainment, advertising, and intellectual property matters. The firm has also expanded to include a Los Angeles office.
Star Clients
Frankfurt Kurnit provides legal services to clients in a wide range of industries and disciplines worldwide, including entertainment, advertising, IP, technology, privacy and data security, litigation, corporate and finance, estate planning, charitable organizations, and professional responsibility. Today, the firm represents clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies and smaller businesses to award-winning creative talents, business owners, and executives. Frankfurt Kurnit has equally strong practices in commercial litigation, white collar criminal defense, privacy and data security, employment, corporate and tax law, venture financing, charitable organizations, trusts and estates, legal ethics, and real estate.
Today, Frankfurt Kurnit’s celebrity client list extends well beyond its original East Coast clientele. The firm has represented the likes of Robert DeNiro, Anthony Bourdain, and John Goodman and the estates of Roald Dahl and Agatha Christie. The firm knows the ins and outs of clients’ needs and offers tailored practice groups to meet them. For example, the firm’s Celebrity Branding practice group assists in maximizing commercial endorsement opportunities, launching product lines, and securing trademarks. The Content Review and Clearance Group advises clients before the release of media featuring reality and true crime shows, podcasts, documentaries, films, and news programs. The Fashion Group focuses on talent in the modeling industry by providing counseling on licensing agreements, fashion shows, and television productions.
Embracing All Forms of Diversity
Diversity is given more than lip-service at Frankfurt Kurnit. In addition to diversity playing a prominent role in the recruiting process—which starts early with a summer internship for diverse high school students—the firm has hosted countless events covering various aspects of diversity. Recent events have included antiracism workshops with diversity and inclusion consultant Paula Edgar, as well as an in-house training titled, “Creating and Maintaining a Respectful Workplace Environment.” In 2020, the firm began a monthly film and book “talk back” series with clients who have directed, produced, or written works focused on racial justice, diversity, and working from home.
COVID-19 Update
In light of the pandemic, our attorneys and staff continue to work remotely in our New York and Los Angeles offices. Because we believe in the value of an in-person experience—for both new hires and longtime colleagues—we have decided to cancel our 2021 summer associate program. We will resume our summer associate program when we are back in the office.
28 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10005
Phone: (212) 980-0120
Managing Partner: Jeffrey A. Greenbaum
Total No. Attorneys (2021):
50 - 100
No. of Partners Named 2021:
7
Salary not disclosed.
Oris Diaz
Director of Human Resources
(212) 826-5576
HR@fkks.com
No. of U.S. Offices: 2
No. of International Offices: 0
Los Angeles, CA
New York, NY (HQ)
Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations
Art Law
Celebrity Branding
Charitable Organizations
Corporate & Finance
Cross-Border Transactions & Global Media Clearance
Entertainment
Estate Planning & Administration
Executive Compensation, Employment Compliance, Training & Litigation,
Intellectual Property
Interactive Entertainment
Legal Ethics & Professional Responsibility; Litigation
Privacy & Data Security
Real Estate
Securities Fraud & White Collar Defense
Sports
Tax
Trademark & Brand Management
*See firm website for complete list of practice areas and industries.