contact information
P (212) 705 4896
F (347) 438-2166
sjefferson@fkks.com
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areas of expertise
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Sean Jefferson is counsel in the Entertainment Group.
Mr. Jefferson has wide-ranging experience in all areas of entertainment and media, representing financiers, production companies, producers, documentary filmmakers, directors, athletes, writers and independent distributors. He has negotiated complex single picture and slate multi-party financings both on behalf of producers and financiers. He has also represented producers in recent cutting edge political documentaries. Mr. Jefferson is experienced in structuring and negotiating rights acquisition, content distribution, sales agreements both domestic and foreign, and co-production and financing agreements.
Diverse Representation includes Mr. Jefferson in their “Ten to Watch in 2022” list as a standout attorney in the entertainment industry. Lawyers of Color included him in their 2022 Hot List. Variety included Mr. Jefferson in its 2021 Legal Impact Report. He was previously recognized in Variety’s 2020 Dealmaker Impact Report “Up Next” List. Mr. Jefferson is recognized in the 2021-2025 editions of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Entertainment and Sports law. The LA Times also recently featured Mr. Jefferson in its article, “Finding outside help to finance movies: Pandemic uncertainty has prompted the studios to partner with new investors.”
Prior to joining Frankfurt Kurnit, he served as an associate in the Business and Legal Affairs Department at BRON Studios where he helped structure and draft rights acquisition, financing, and production deals and assisted with the negotiation of distribution deals for several feature films, including “Assassination Nation” and “Leave No Trace.”
He is admitted to practice in New York.
awards & recognition
Best Lawyers in America "Ones to Watch" 2021-2025 (Entertainment and Sports)
Diverse Representation: Ten to Watch in 2022
Lawyers of Color: Hot List 2022
Variety's 2021 Legal Impact Report
Variety's 2020 Dealmaker Impact Report “Up Next” List
education
St. John's University School of Law (J.D., 2016)
St. John's University (B.S., Legal Studies, 2013)
Upcoming Speaking Engagements
Past Speaking Engagements
Film Financing Unveiled
Hayden Goldblatt and Sean Jefferson, with Lynnette Gryseels from The Film Collaborative, speak on the panel, "Film Financing Unveiled" at DOC NYC, the largest documentary film festival in the United States. Details here.
November 15 2024
Corporate v. Litigation
Sean Jefferson is on the panel, "Corporate v. Litigation," during an event hosted by the Federal Bar Association at St. John's University.
November 9 2023
Entertainment Financing in the New Global Landscape
Hayden Goldblatt and Sean Jefferson present, "Entertainment Financing in the New Global Landscape" during an event at JP Morgan Chase.
May 31 2023
The Future of the Sports Industry: 2022 and Beyond
Christopher Chase, Hayden Goldblatt, Jeremy Goldman, Sean Jefferson, Hannah Taylor, and special guests host a roundtable webinar covering hot topics in the sports industry. Read more.
May 12 2022
American Black Film Festival
Lisa E. Davis, Marcie Cleary and Sean Jefferson present “Making the Deal – Knowing What Matters” during a master class at the American Black Film Festival in Miami Beach.
June 15 2019
news & press
The Best Lawyers in America 2025
Best Lawyers in America recognizes 48 Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in the 2025 edition. Read more.
Young Lawyers (Gen Z) Are Getting Tons of New Business—the Old-Fashioned Way
Law.com quotes Sean F. Jefferson and Emma C. Smizer on how lawyers in their late 20s and 30s are building books of business. (Behind paywall) View Article
Naomi Watts & Bill Murray To Topline Dramedy ‘The Friend’ From Scott McGehee & David Siegel; Constance Wu, Ann Dowd Among Others Set
Deadline mentions Hayden Goldblatt and Sean Jefferson as counsel to Scott McGehee and David Siegel, who are set to write, direct, and produce "The Friend," starring Naomi Watts and Bill Murray. View Article
The Best Lawyers in America 2024
Best Lawyers in America recognizes 44 Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in the 2024 edition. Read more.
Lawyers of Color: Hot List 2022
Lawyers of Color included Sean Jefferson and Khasim Lockhart in their 2022 Hot List which recognizes junior and mid-level attorneys who exemplify integrity, high achievement, leadership, and a passion for diversity. Read more.
The Best Lawyers in America 2023
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. Read more.
Diverse Representation: The Ten to Watch in 2022
Diverse Representation includes Sean Jefferson as one of their Ten to Watch in 2022 honorees. View Article
The Best Lawyers in America 2022
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. Read more.
Variety’s 2021 Legal Impact Report
Variety’s 2021 Legal Impact Report includes Marcie Cleary for her representation of creators in film, TV and digital. Larissa Calva Ruiz, Hayden Goldblatt, Sean Jefferson and Alan Sacks are recognized for their work in entertainment finance. View Article
Variety’s Dealmakers Impact Report 2020: Top Negotiators That Have Kept Hollywood Humming
Variety includes Sean Jefferson in their Dealmakers Impact Report “Up Next” list for 2020. View Article
Finding Outside Help to Finance Movies: Pandemic Uncertainty Has Prompted the Studios to Partner with New Investors
The Los Angeles Times quotes Sean Jefferson on different approaches to film financing due to the pandemic. View Article
The Best Lawyers in America 2021
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. Read more.
American Black Film Festival Features Events in South Beach
Local10.com mentions Lisa E. Davis, Marcie Cleary and Sean Jefferson’s master class “Making the Deal – Knowing What Matters” in its coverage of American Black Film festival in Miami. View Article