
contact information
P (212)-826-5537
F (347)-438-2107
rhofstetter@fkks.com
Download vCard
areas of expertise
Looking for additional information?
Find out what else we do at Frankfurt Kurnit. And how we can help.
Richard Hofstetter is a partner and co-Chair of the firm's Entertainment Group. With over 30 years experience as a lawyer for the development, production, and exploitation of intellectual property in all media, and its licensing and merchandising, he offers legal expertise combined with a sound understanding of the business realities that impact entertainment clients and matters.
Mr. Hofstetter's practice has particular emphasis in the television media. He represents producers and production companies, performers, writers, and creative talent for dramatic and "reality" programs, news, and sports. He represents major distribution companies and television networks (both domestic and international), as well as executives in television and other media. His expertise encompasses all aspects of the television industry, including programming for distribution for network television, syndication, cable, digital platforms, public television, animation, children's programming, format sales, international production and distribution, and advertiser and brand integration in the production, broadcast, and promotion of programming.
Mr. Hofstetter has been listed in Best Lawyers in America for the past thirteen years and was recognized as the ‘Lawyer of the Year’ in 2018 for his work in Entertainment Law. New York Magazine has named him one of the “Best Lawyers in America” in Entertainment Law. He is also listed as a top-rated (Band 1) lawyer in media and entertainment by Chambers USA, recognized by The Legal 500 as a leading media and entertainment lawyer and a “Super Lawyer” in the field of entertainment and sports by Super Lawyers magazine.
Mr. Hofstetter served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at New York University. He is counsel to the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and is a member of the International Radio and Television Society, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, the New York Television Festival Executive Board, and the American Bar Association (Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law, Entertainment and Sports Industries Forum Committee). He is admitted to practice in New York.
awards & recognition
2018 Entertainment Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers
Listed in Best Lawyers in America for his work in Entertainment Law for the past thirteen years
"Best Lawyers in America" in Entertainment Law by New York Magazine
Chambers USA America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (Media and Entertainment)
Recognized by The Legal 500 as a leading media and entertainment lawyer
New York-area "Super Lawyer" in the field of entertainment and sports
education
Clark University (BA, 1974)
Rutgers University School of Law (JD, 1979)
- Editor of the Law Review
Upcoming Speaking Engagements
Past Speaking Engagements
New York Television Festival 2018
Richard Hofstetter and Marcie Cleary present Navigating Your First Deal, a legal Q&A session, at the New York Television Festival beginning at 2PM at the Helen Mills Theater
July 19 2018
New York Television Festival 2017
Richard Hofstetter, Julie Murray and Marcie Cleary present a Legal Q&A Session at the New York Television Festival beginning at 10AM at the Helen Mills Theater.
October 24 2017
NYWIFT Power Player Breakfast: Amy Entelis
We host another Power Player Breakfast presented by New York Women in Film and Television. This event features Amy Entelis, EVP Talent and Content Development at CNN. Richard Hofstetter introduces the guest speaker.
April 6 2017
NYTVF: Decoding Your First Deal
Richard Hofstetter speaks at the New York Television Festival on "Decoding Your Deal."
October 26 2016
Cocktails with the Closers
Richard Hofstetter presents "Cocktails with the Closers" at the Helen Mills Theater as part of The New York Television Festival.
October 22 2015
Ask the Expert Roundtable
Richard Hofstetter hosts an Ask the Expert roundtable on television format rights during NYC Television Week's The Content Show at the Affinia Hotel November 13th beginning at 11:30AM.
November 12 2014
Richard Hofstetter at Televisual Factual Festival
Richard Hofstetter speaks at the Televisual Factual Festival at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts in London.
November 6 2013
Lockouts, Labor and Emerging Legal Issues in the Sports and Entertainment Industries
Richard Hofstetter speaks on "Lockouts, Labor and Emerging Legal Issues in the Sports and Entertainment Industries" at Rutgers Law School.
April 20 2011
Richard Hofstetter Presents at the Media Forum Westphalia
Richard Hofstetter presents a keynote speech at the 22nd Transatlantic Dialogue during the Media Forum Westphalia in Cologne Germany, one of Europe's most important media conferences, on "Contractual Relations Between TV Producers and Program Providers in the US".
June 30 2010
news & press
Thirty-nine Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named in Super Lawyers Magazine for 2018
Super Lawyers magazine lists thirty-nine Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 2018 edition.
The Best Lawyers in America 2019
We are pleased to report that Best Lawyers — the oldest and one of the most respected peer reviewed lawyer recommendation services — continues to recommend Frankfurt Kurnit.
Frankfurt Kurnit in Chambers 2018
For the fourteenth consecutive year Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business recognized Frankfurt Kurnit. Chambers USA ranked us for our: Advertising, Media & Entertainment and Intellectual Property practices.
The Best Lawyers in America 2018
Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" ranked Frankfurt Kurnit nationally in "Tier 1" in Advertising, Copyright, Entertainment - Motion Pictures and Television, and Trademark Law, "Tier 2" in Litigation - Intellectual Property, Media Law, and Trusts & Estates Law, and "Tier 3" in Commercial Litigation and Regulatory
Frankfurt Kurnit in Chambers 2017
For the thirteenth consecutive year Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business recognized Frankfurt Kurnit. Chambers USA ranked us for our: Advertising: Transactional & Regulatory, Intellectual Property: Trade Mark & Copyright, Media & Entertainment: Entertainment Litigation, and Media & Entertainment: Film, Music, Television & Theater work.
Frankfurt Kurnit Assists With ‘Fun-Raising’
The New York Law Journal spotlighted our role in the wonderful Red Nose Day initiative, which raises millions of dollars for children’s causes. (Article behind paywall)
Thirty-eight Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named “Super Lawyers” for 2016
Super Lawyers listed thirty-eight Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 2016 edition.
The Best Lawyers in America 2017
In its 2017 edition, Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" ranked Frankfurt Kurnit nationally in "Tier 1" in Advertising, Copyright, Entertainment - Motion Pictures and Television, and Trademark Law, "Tier 2" in Litigation - Intellectual Property, Media Law, and Trusts & Estates Law, and "Tier 3" in Commercial Litigation and Regulatory Enforcement Litigation.
Frankfurt Kurnit in Chambers 2016
For the twelfth consecutive year Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business recognized Frankfurt Kurnit. Chambers USA ranked us for our: Advertising: Transactional & Regulatory, Intellectual Property: Trade Mark & Copyright, Media & Entertainment: Entertainment Litigation, and Media & Entertainment: Film, Music, Television & Theater work.
In the Spirit of ‘Fun-Raising’
The New York Law Journal published an article featuring Richard Hofstetter, H. Sujin Kim and Barbara E. Shiers and our support for our client Comic Relief (and their fundraising event Red Nose Day.)
Thirty-seven Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named “Super Lawyers” for 2015
Super Lawyers listed thirty-six Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 2015 edition.
The Best Lawyers in America 2016
Best Lawyers recognized our firm and 17 of our attorneys in their 2016 list.
What AT&T’s Spat With Starz Says About Today’s Media Industry
Richard Hofstetter is quoted in The Street's article, "What AT&T's Spat With Starz Says About Today's Media Industry".
Frankfurt Kurnit in Chambers 2015
For the eleventh consecutive year Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business recognized Frankfurt Kurnit.
Thirty-four Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named “Super Lawyers” for 2014
Super Lawyers listed thirty-three Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 2014 edition.
Best Lawyers 2015
Best Lawyers recognized our firm and 16 of our attorneys in their 2015 list.
Frankfurt Kurnit in Chambers 2014
For the tenth consecutive year Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business recognized Frankfurt Kurnit.
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.
Twenty-nine Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named “Super Lawyers” for 2013
Super Lawyers listed twenty-nine 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.
Richard Hofstetter Quoted in New York Post
The New York Post quoted Richard Hofstetter on a dispute between Frankfurt Kurnit client, Anthony Bourdain, and the Travel Channel.
Frankfurt Kurnit Law Firm Adds New Entertainment Partner and Counsel
Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz, PC added Andrew Hurwitz as a partner, and Alan Sacks as counsel, to its Entertainment Group. Mr. Hurwitz and Mr. Sacks formally joined the firm today.
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.
Seventeen Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named 2011 New York-Area “Super Lawyers”
Super Lawyers named seventeen Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 2011 edition.
Frankfurt Kurnit in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers For Business 2011
For the seventh consecutive year Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business recognized Frankfurt Kurnit.
Richard Hofstetter Featured in Bisnow
Bisnow interviewed Richard Hofstetter on his experiences as an entertainment lawyer and for his views on current hot trends such as branded entertainment and reality television.
Frankfurt Kurnit in Best Lawyers 2010
Best Lawyers ranked Frankfurt Kurnit in its 2010 edition.
Richard Hofstetter Quoted in TV Guide Magazine
TV Guide Magazine quoted Richard Hofstetter on Conan O'Brien's departure from NBC.