Deborah Wolfe

Deborah Wolfe is the Co-Chair of our Corporate & Finance Group. She is recognized in Variety’s 2020 Legal Impact Report.

Ms. Wolfe advises on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, private equity investments, joint ventures, and the formation, financing, operation and purchase and sale of assets and entities across many sectors, with particular focus on the media, entertainment, advertising, and lifestyle. Prior to joining Frankfurt Kurnit in 2010, Ms. Wolfe represented mature companies in connection with complex transactions, often involving cross-border aspects. Since joining Frankfurt Kurnit in 2010, her practice has focused on advising principals and investors in start-up, emerging and growth companies on formation, partnership, strategic investment and exit transactions. Ms. Wolfe works closely with the Entertainment Group to structure celebrity-backed ventures in the media, entertainment and hospitality industries and has gained extensive expertise in the unique aspects of these ventures. She is an active and founding member of our Hospitality Group and represents numerous renowned chefs, restaurateurs, and investors in the food sector in a wide array of projects ranging from the ownership and operation of formal restaurants to the creation of CPG ventures. Her other clients include well-known authors and actors, individual entrepreneurs, executives and companies operating in the digital and e-commerce space, including advertising and marketing services companies and production companies in entertainment, media, and other industries.

Ms. Wolfe is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania Law School (J.D., cum laude, 1986), and Cornell University (B.A., cum laude, with distinction, 1982). She serves one of the largest non-profit organizations on the Board of Directors of Services for the Underserved, providing supportive services and affordable housing for disadvantaged New Yorkers. She is a member of the New York State Bar Association and is admitted to practice in New York.

awards & recognition

Variety's 2020 Legal Impact Report 

education

University of Pennsylvania Law School (J.D., cum laude, with distinction, 1986)

Cornell University (B.A., cum laude, 1982)

Upcoming Speaking Engagements

Past Speaking Engagements

news & press

Thirty-four Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named to Super Lawyers New York Metro List for 2020

The list includes: Christopher R. Chase, Victoria Cook, Lisa E. Davis, Catherine M.C. Farrelly, Michael P. Frankfurt, Hayden Goldblatt, Jeffrey A. Greenbaum, John B. Harris, Richard B. Heller, Richard Hofstetter, Nicole Hyland, Candice Kersh, Rick Kurnit, Brian E. Maas, Richard Maltz, Jeffrey Marks, Kimberly Maynard, Mark Merriman, Ronald C. Minkoff, Brian G. Murphy, Edward H. Rosenthal, Terri Seligman, Thomas D. Selz, Barbara E. Shiers, Wendy Stryker, Linda Wank, S. Jean Ward, and Maura Wogan. Marcie Cleary, Christina Jenkins, Sasha Levites, Tyler Maulsby, Adam Osterweil and Rachel Santori are listed as “Rising Stars.” Read more.

Variety’s 2020 Legal Impact Report

Variety’s 2020 Legal Impact Report includes Marcie Cleary, Lisa E. Davis, and Deborah Wolfe for their work in the podcast space. The list includes legal professionals who made the biggest deals for entertainment industry clients in the past year. View Article

Payment Protection Program Extended through August 8, 2020

On July 3rd, President Trump signed legislation extending the application deadline for the Paycheck Protection Program until August 8th. Read more.

PPP Application Process Updates

Here are two important news items for businesses participating in, or seeking to participate in, the Small Business Administration (SBA)’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Read more.

Small and Midsize Business Relief: New “Main Street Lending Program “Is on the Way

In our continuing effort to help clients leverage COVID-19-related federal assistance, we are tracking a new relief program due out soon from the Federal Reserve. The “Main Street Lending Program” will facilitate loans to small- and mid-size businesses that were considered to be in sound financial condition before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more.

PPP Loan Program Updates: Additional Funding and Valuable “Safe Harbors”

The Frankfurt Kurnit Corporate Group continues to track developments in the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”), adopted as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). Read more.

PPP Loan Program Updates: Additional Funding and Additional Guidance

The Frankfurt Kurnit Corporate Group has been tracking developments in the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”), adopted as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). In this alert we highlight some key developments since our last update. Read more.

CARES Act: Calculating Employee Headcount Under SBA “Affiliation Rules”

The recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) created a program called the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”), which makes certain loans available to small businesses. Read more.

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. View Article

“Building Your Brand-Smart Moves for Sweat Equity” by Deb Wolfe and Alan Sacks in Athletes Quarterly

Alan Sacks and Deborah Wolfe's article, "Building Your Brand: Smart Moves for Sweat Equity" is featured in the Holiday issue of Athletes Quarterly.

Frankfurt Kurnit Adds New Corporate Partner

The National Law Journal and the New York Law Journal in its "News in Brief" section covered Frankfurt Kurnit's addition of Deborah Wolfe as partner to its Corporate and Finance Group.