Michael Williams > Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile
Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC Offices
28 LIBERTY STREET
New York NY 10005
NEW YORK
United States
- Firm Profile
- Go to...
Michael Williams
Work Department
Entertainment, Fashion
Position
Partner/Chair/Co-Chair
Career
Michael R. Williams, a partner at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz is the Chair of the firm’s Fashion Group and Co-Chair of its Entertainment and Celebrity Branding Groups.
Mr. Williams’ clients include major television and motion picture actors, leading fashion designers, top models, fashion show production companies, photographers and executives in the entertainment and fashion industries.
Mr. Williams represents actors in the negotiation of deals to perform in film, television, theater and other media. He also works to assist clients in capitalizing on their name, fame, likeness, and other rights in all media. He negotiates and structures profitable merchandising, licensing, endorsement and spokesperson agreements, and counsels clients on the development of their own celebrity-branded product lines.
Mr. Williams has extensive experience working with fashion brands and individuals with regards to the creation, protection and, licensing of their intellectual property and trademarks. He also advises clients regarding corporate structuring and employment matters.
The 2023 edition of Best Lawyers in America recognized Mr. Williams as a top entertainment lawyer, and The Hollywood Reporter included Mr. Williams in its Power Lawyers 2020: New York’s Top 20 Entertainment Attorneys coverage. Super Lawyers and The Legal 500 recognize Mr. Williams for his entertainment law expertise. In the past, he was also included in Variety’s “Dealmaker’s Impact Report.”
Mr. Williams is a member of the New York State and American Bar Associations. He is admitted to practice in New York.
Education
Albany School of Law (J.D., cum laude)
Fairfield University (B.S.)
Lawyer Rankings
United States > Media, technology and telecoms > Media and entertainment: transactional
Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC splits the practice between New York and Los Angeles, representing talent from across the entertainment spectrum and specializing in up. In Los Angeles, practice co-head Andrew Hurwitz ‘s practice includes negotiating and structuring development and production agreements, he recently handled the incorporation of Yla Eason’s superhero, Sun-Man, to Mattel’s Masters of the Universe roster. Fellow practice co-head Michael Williams is based in New York, frequently negotiating merchandising and licensing agreements. Also in New York, Richard Heller focuses on new media and IP and recently represented Robbie Williams in a life story rights deal for the motion picture ‘Better Man’. Lisa Davis focuses her practice on film, publishing and live stage entertainment; she has represented Black Theatre United pro bono since it was formed in 2020. Julie Murray represents clients in the television, comedy and branded content industries from the firm’s New York office. Further recommended is New York-based Ben Moskowitz who regularly works as production counsel on documentary films and television programs.