contact information
P (212) 826 5555
F (347) 438 2119
mfrankfurt@fkks.com 
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areas of expertise
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Michael P. Frankfurt is the Senior Partner and a founding partner of Frankfurt Kurnit, one of the pre-eminent media and entertainment law firms in the United States.
His experience is in all aspects of the business practice of law, focusing on entertainment and media law, representing advertising agencies, commercial film, television, publishing, graphic and fine arts and new media companies, and representing and counseling executives and talent in those and other businesses. He has lectured often at various conferences and schools, including New York University School of Law and Stern School of Business, Association of Independent Film Producers' Conferences and the TED Conference.
Mr. Frankfurt is an active member of the New York State Bar Association. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Creative Coalition and The Armory Foundation, a Director and Secretary of the New York Road Runners Club, a Trustee of the Hunter College Foundation, and a member of the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame Committee, Friars Club, Hunter College Alumni and Athletic Hall of Fame, and Millrose Athletic Association. He is admitted to practice in New York.
awards & recognition
"Top 100 Power Lawyers" by The Hollywood Reporter
New York's Best Entertainment Lawyers by New York Magazine
Named a New York-area "Super Lawyer" ten times
education
Hunter College (BA, 1957)
University of Virginia (JD, 1960)
New York University (LL.M, 1962)
Upcoming Speaking Engagements
Past Speaking Engagements
Price Media Law Moot Court Competition
Michael P. Frankfurt serves as a panelist at the Price Media Law Moot Court Competition's seminar on careers in Media Law at the Hearst Corporation offices in New York.
January 24 2014
Boot Camp for Digital Start-Ups
Michael P. Frankfurt moderated a session on 'Hiring Top Guns' at the Boot Camp for Digital Start-Ups.
October 29 2013
news & press
The Best Lawyers in America 2017
In its 2017 edition, Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" ranked Frankfurt Kurnit in "Tier 1" in Advertising, Copyright, Entertainment, Television, Trademark, and Trust & Estates Law, "Tier 2" in Litigation (IP) and Media Law, and "Tier 3" in Commercial Litigation and Regulatory Enforcement Litigation.
Michael P. Frankfurt and Deborah Wolfe Attend the Athletes Quarterly Game Plan Dinner
Frankfurt Kurnit’s Michael P. Frankfurt and Deborah Wolfe attend the Athletes Quarterly Game Plan dinner at STK Downtown presented by The Glenlivet.
Mike Frankfurt in Running Times
Mike Frankfurt is mentioned in the "Roger on Running" column in Running Times, which features leaders in the running community over age 80.
Mike Frankfurt in the New York Post
The Post’s Page Six covered a story from Mike Frankfurt’s 80th birthday party.
Mike Frankfurt in Politico
Politico mentioned Mike Frankfurt's 80th birthday in its daily blast, referring to Mike as "one of the most influential media and entertainment lawyers in America".
Mike Frankfurt in the New York Post
Phil Mushnick of the New York Post mentioned Mike Frankfurt’s 80th birthday celebration in his "Equal Time" column.
Thirty Nine Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named “Super Lawyers” for 2015
Super Lawyers listed thirty nine Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 2015 edition.
The Best Lawyers in America 2016
Best Lawyers recognized our firm and 18 of our attorneys in their 2016 list.
Frankfurt Kurnit in The Legal 500 2015
The Legal 500, a London-based directory of leading lawyers, recommended Frankfurt Kurnit for Media, Technology & Telecom work (Marketing and Advertising) and Intellectual Property work (Copyright) in its 2015 edition.
Thirty-six Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named “Super Lawyers” for 2014
Super Lawyers listed thirty-six Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 2014 edition.
Best Lawyers 2015
Best Lawyers recognized our firm and 17 of our attorneys in their 2015 list.
2014 Frankfurt Kurnit in The Legal 500
The Legal 500, a London-based directory of leading lawyers, recommended Frankfurt Kurnit for Media, Technology & Telecom work (Marketing and Advertising) and Intellectual Property work (Copyright) in its 2014 edition.
Frankfurt Kurnit in “Best Lawyers 2014”
In its 2014 edition Best Lawyers ranked Frankfurt Kurnit in "Tier 1" in Advertising, Copyright, Entertainment, Trademark, and Trust & Estates Law, "Tier 2" in Litigation (IP) and Media Law, and "Tier 3" in Commercial Litigation and Regulatory Enforcement Litigation.
Thirty-three Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named “Super Lawyers” for 2013
Super Lawyers listed thirty-three Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 2013 edition. In addition Super Lawyers recognized Terri Seligman in its "Top 50 New York Women Lawyers List".
Frankfurt Kurnit Top Ranked in Best Lawyers and Best Law Firms for 2013
Best Lawyers ranked Frankfurt Kurnit one of the "Best Law Firms" of 2013.
Twenty-four Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named 2012 NY-Area “Super Lawyers”
Super Lawyers listed twenty-four Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 2012 edition.
Eleven Frankfurt Kurnit Lawyers Appear in New York Magazine’s List of the “Best”
New York Magazine named eleven Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz attorney's to its 2012 "New York Area's Best Lawyers" list.
Michael Frankfurt Featured in New York Daily News on Armory Foundation
Dr. Norbert Sander, Executive Director of The Armory Foundation at The New Balance Track & Field Center, cited Michael Frankfurt as a key to the founation's success in helping children in New York City.
Eighteen Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named 2011 New York-Area “Super Lawyers”
Super Lawyers named eighteen Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 2011 edition.
Mike Frankfurt Featured in Robert Redford’s New Biography
Robert Redford quoted Mike Frankfurt in his new biography (Alfred A. Knopf publishers).
Frankfurt Kurnit in Best Lawyers 2010
Best Lawyers ranked Frankfurt Kurnit in its 2010 edition.
Mike Frankfurt - Always There for Us
The Armory Foundation acknowleged Mike Frankfurt was acknowledged in its 2010 Yearbook for providing pro bono services to The Armory Foundation for the past 20 years. The acknowledgment also appeared in the Millrose Games 2010 program – 20,000 copies of which were distributed at the games at Madison Square Garden.
Run for Your Life
Michael Frankfurt appeared in the film “Run For Your Life” by Frankfurt Kurnit client and emmy-nominated documentarian Judd Ehrlich. The film explores the creation of the New York City Marathon.
Power Lawyers
The Hollywood Reporter named Michael Frankfurt was named as one of the "Top 100 Power Lawyers".
Here’s Your Cue
Michael Frankfurt's photograph with The Creative Coalition's prominent members -- including Heather Graham, Sean Penn, and Tony Godwyn-- appeared in The Hamptons Magazine's Fall 2007 issue, accompanying the article, "Here's Your Cue." Mr. Frankfurt is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Creative Coalition.
Michael Frankfurt in 2007 Power Lawyers Top 100 List.
The Hollywood Reporter, Esq included Michael Frankfurt in its 2007 "Power Lawyers Top 100 Outside Counsel" list.