Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC‘s entertainment group excels in advising the full gamut of media and entertainment individuals such as producers, actors, directors, models and personalities as well as production, distribution, broadcast, financing and media companies. The firm splits its sizeable practice across New York and Los Angeles, often advising clients on cross-border global transactions and deals such as international distribution deals for television creators and studios. Victoria Cook leads on these issues from New York, representing creatives and financiers in these international deals and advising on creating a new storytelling initiative. The team also assists with IP-related issues such as licensing and brand management. Andrew Hurwitz leads the team from Los Angeles, while Hayden Goldblatt and Lisa Davis spearhead the New York practice. Hurwitz specializes in handling complex deals in TV, film and video game sectors, Davis focuses on representing artists and Goldblatt centres his practice on equity and debt film financings and rights deals. Also in New York, Julie Murray advises TV, film and documentary production companies through complex transactions, while Ben Moskowitz is knowledgeable on development agreements, production deals and talent agreements.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Frankfurt Kurnit's entertainment group has industry-leading expertise in our area of the media business. In addition to doing an excellent job handling our core needs, the team has been remarkably collaborative, and any time an issue has arisen outside of our attorney's particular expertise, he has brought in other members of the firm to advise us in those specialized areas.'
‘In addition to being smart and experienced attorneys, the individuals we've worked with in the firm have a deep understanding of our business and the challenges and issues we face, and have always given excellent advice to help us succeed. Scott Goldman, in particular, manages to be a fierce and dedicated advocate without sacrificing collegiality.'
‘The team is very experienced on multiple aspects of the film industry, on production as well as financing. They comfortably handle US productions as well as international projects. Their representation of clients is excellent.’
‘The diversity among the team members means they can deal with individuals and projects from different countries, and understand cultural peculiarities. The team members are highly experienced, with, beyond the legal knowledge, the capacity to understand the reality of the independent film industry. They are very solution-driven.’
‘Victoria Cook is my lead attorney and she is a leading voice in the film and television worlds. She almost always knows the players on the other side of deals and has solid relationships to streamline negotiations. She is also well-liked and thoughtful in all her dealings.’
‘I tell everyone how much I love my lawyers. They are smart, strong attorneys in a legal sense but also smart, strong advocates in a creative sense. They tell me when I'm wrong, and they help me make it happen when I'm right.’
‘Melissa Georges has walked us through countless layers of defamation and fair use review with detail and care that have helped us navigate those waters successfully. Victoria Cook is a brilliantly creative cinephile who is just so good at being a lawyer that she ended up on that side of the coin. Ben Moskowitz is an up-and-coming workhouse who doesn't miss a beat or a comma and is always a thoughtful partner on legal and creative matters.’
‘Andrew Hurwitz is outstanding. He understands the needs of his clients and is wonderful to work with. He gives excellent commercial as well as legal advice.’
Key clients
- Aaron Sorkin
- Dean Koontz
- John Goodman
- Allison Williams
- The Roald Dahl Literary Estate
- Hasbro, Inc.
- Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
- Epic Games
- Genvid Entertainment
- Topic Studios / First Look Productions
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Andrew Hurwitz; Hayden Goldblatt; Lisa Davis
Other key lawyers
Victoria Cook; Scott Goldman; Melissa Georges; Ben Moskowitz; Julie Murray; Michael Williams