Brian E. Maas

Brian E. Maas is Counsel in the firm’s Litigation Group.  

During his career, Mr. Maas had a wide ranging civil litigation and white collar criminal defense practice, representing clients in all phases of the pre-litigation and litigation process in matters pending in state and federal court as well as in arbitrations.

Mr. Maas started his career as an associate attorney at Barrett Smith Schapiro Simon & Armstrong. He then served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, where he became Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division. He also practiced privately at Rosenblatt Maas Wirfel & Stolz and at Beldock Levine & Hoffman LLP.

Mr. Maas is a member of the Eastern District of New York Civil Litigation Committee, and a former board member of the New York Council of Defense Lawyers where he also served as Chairman of the Sentencing Guidelines Committee. He is a former Adjunct Professor at Fordham University School of Law. Mr. Maas is admitted to practice in New York. 

Mr. Maas retired as a partner at the firm at the end of 2021. 

awards & recognition

Super Lawyer for Business Litigation and Criminal Defense: White Collar in the New York-area

Best Lawyers in America for White-Collar Criminal Defense

education

Columbia University School of Law (J.D., 1977)

  -Member of the Law Review

Harvard University (A.B., 1974)

Upcoming Speaking Engagements

Past Speaking Engagements

Frankfurt Kurnit’s Third Annual Litigation Ethics Summit Webinar

Frankfurt Kurnit is hosting its Third Annual Litigation Ethics Summit -- a complimentary CLE for corporate counsel, law firm general counsel, partners with responsibility for law firm compliance and risk management, and other lawyers with interest in professional responsibility issues. Read more.

November 13 2020

Brian E. Maas at the 25th Annual National Seminar on Federal Sentencing

Brian E. Maas presents at the 25th Annual National Seminar on Federal Sentencing in Orlando, Florida.

June 1 2016

3 Stone Buildings Seminar

Brian Maas participates in a panel on discovery issues in New York sponsored by the 3 Stone Buildings Chambers from London.

November 10 2014

news & press

NY Construction Union Officials Cop To Bribery Scheme

Law360 mentions Tyler Maulsby and Brian Maas as counsel to a former union leader who pled guilty to a violation of the Taft-Hartley Act. (Behind paywall) View Article

Thirty-five Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named to Super Lawyers New York Metro List for 2022

The list includes: Christopher R. Chase, Victoria Cook, Lisa E. Davis, Caren Decter, Catherine M.C. Farrelly, Michael P. Frankfurt, Hayden Goldblatt, Jeffrey A. Greenbaum, John B. Harris, Richard B. Heller, Richard Hofstetter, Nicole Hyland, Candice Kersh, Brian E. Maas, Richard Maltz, Jeffrey Marks, Kimberly Maynard, Mark Merriman, Ronald C. Minkoff, Brian G. Murphy, Edward H. Rosenthal, Terri Seligman, Barbara E. Shiers, Wendy Stryker, Hannah Taylor, Linda Wank, S. Jean Ward, Craig Whitney and Maura Wogan. Aaron Deitsch, Christina Jenkins, Sasha Levites, Tyler Maulsby, Jordyn Milewski, and Adam Osterweil are listed as “Rising Stars.” 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.

Thirty-five Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named to Super Lawyers New York Metro List for 2021

The list includes: Christopher R. Chase, Victoria Cook, Lisa E. Davis, Caren Decter, 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, Craig Whitney and Maura Wogan. Marcie Cleary, Christina Jenkins, Sasha Levites, Tyler Maulsby, and Adam Osterweil are listed as “Rising Stars.” Read more.

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.

LabMD Asks NY Court to Revive Suit Against Witness Atty

Law360 mentions Brian Maas and Ronald C. Minkoff as counsel to Mary Beth Buchanan and Bryan Cave. Mr. Minkoff is quoted and notes LabMD’s multiple attempts to make a claim against his clients. (Behind paywall) 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.

Thirty-one Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named to Super Lawyers Metro List for 2019

Super Lawyers magazine lists thirty-two Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 2019 NY-area edition. Read more.

Thirty-three Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named in Super Lawyers Magazine for 2018

Super Lawyers magazine lists thirty-three Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 2018 edition. Read more.

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. Read more.

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 Read more.

‘Unprofessional’ Attorney Avoids Sanctions In MLB TV Settlement

Law360 mentions Brian Maas and Tyler Maulsby as the lawyers for Christopher Bandas, who successfully avoided Rule 11 sanctions in Garber v. Office of the Commissioner of Baseball. View Article

Forfeiture and Restitution: Ships Passing in the Night?

The New York Law Journal published Brian Maas and Caren Decter’s essay about the disconnect between the government’s forfeiture powers and a victim’s right to restitution. (Article behind paywall) View Article

NY Court Expands Protections for Employers to Safeguard Proprietary Information

Yesterday a New York State appeals court reinstated the conviction of a former Goldman Sachs computer programmer under New York's unlawful use of secret scientific material statute. In doing so, the court gave a twenty-first century voice to a statute that was written in the age of blueprints and photocopiers. Read more.

Cooperator in Dewey Case Admits to Lesser Charge

Brian E. Maas is quoted in the New York Law Journal article, "Cooperator in Dewey Case Admits to Lesser Charge". (Article behind paywall) View Article

Thirty-five Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named “Super Lawyers” for 2016

Super Lawyers listed thirty-five Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 2016 edition. Read more.

MLB Objector’s Attorney Says Judge Can’t Sanction Him

Brian E. Maas and Tyler Mauslby are mentioned as counsel for attorney Christopher Bandas in the Law360 article, "MLB Objector's Atty Says Judge Can't Sanction Him". View Article

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. Read more.

Brian Maas Quoted in the New York Post

The New York Post quoted Brian Maas in defense of our client, the classical violinist David Garrett. (Article behind paywall) View Article

Dewey Star Witness Reaches Partial Deal With SEC

Brian Maas is quoted in the New York Law Journal and Law 360 in their coverage of the partial settlement between the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and former Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP Finance Director Frank Canellas. (Article behind a paywall)

Thirty-three Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named “Super Lawyers” for 2015

Super Lawyers listed thirty-three Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 2015 edition. Read more.

A Spirit of “Cooperation”: What You Need to Know About the DOJ’s New Enforcement Policies

On Wednesday the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a memorandum outlining new policies and procedures for United States Attorneys in corporate investigations (the "Memo"). Read more.

The Best Lawyers in America 2016

Best Lawyers recognized our firm and 17 of our attorneys in their 2016 list. Read more.

Brian Maas in the New York Law Journal

The New York Law Journal mentions Brian Maas in the article, “Judge in Dewey Trial Known for Fairness, Thoughtfulness” regarding the criminal case against three executives of Dewey & LeBoeuf. Brian is part of the Frankfurt Kurnit team representing Dewey’s ex-finance director, Francis Canellas. (Article behind a paywall) View Article

New York Law Journal Covers Komolov v. Segal Art Litigation Win

The New York Law Journal has a page 1 story about our win for our art industry clients, David Segal and Mohamed Serry. The article quotes Brian Maas. Jeremy S. Goldman, Caren Decter, and Nicole Bergstrom were also on the team. (Article behind a paywall) View Article

Art Industry Clients Get a Big Win

The Frankfurt Kurnit Litigation team registered a big win for clients David Segal and Mohamed Serry, two New York-based art and antiques dealers. Read more.

Thirty-one Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named “Super Lawyers” for 2014

Super Lawyers listed thirty-one Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 2014 edition. Read more.

What to Do if You Receive a Subpoena

The press has reported on an investigation by the New York County District Attorney's Office into whether New York-based art galleries and collectors are properly collecting and paying sales tax on art purchases. Read more.

Best Lawyers 2015

Best Lawyers recognized our firm and 16 of our attorneys in their 2015 list.  Read more.

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. Read more.

Twenty-seven Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named “Super Lawyers” for 2013

Super Lawyers listed twenty-seven Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 2013 edition. In addition Super Lawyers recognized Terri Seligman in its "Top 50 New York Women Lawyers List". Read more.

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. Read more.

New FCPA Guidance for US Companies Doing Business Overseas

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("FCPA") was enacted by Congress in 1977 in response to "revelations of widespread global corruption", including allegations that numerous U.S. companies had paid hundreds of millions of dollars to bribe foreign government officials to obtain or retain overseas business. The FCPA includes substantial criminal penalties for both businesses and individuals found to have made prohibited payments, and also gives both the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission the authority to pursue civil enforcement actions. Read more.

Federal Court Decision Calling Poker “Skill” May Impact Marketers’ Promotions

Judge Jack Weinstein of the Eastern District court of New York recently decided that Texas Hold 'Em poker is a game of skill and therefore not gambling under federal law. This is the first time a federal court has determined that poker is not gambling under the "Illegal Gambling Business Act". The government intends to appeal the decision. Read more.

Twenty-four Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named 2012 NY-Area “Super Lawyers”

Super Lawyers listed twenty-four Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 2012 edition. Read more.

How to Reduce the Risk of Sexual Harassment in Your Workplace

News that the Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain once settled charges of sexual harassment has once again placed this complicated issue in the public eye. Read more.

Frankfurt Kurnit in Leagle.com

Leagle.com published Frankfurt Kurnit's 10th Circuit victory upon dismissal of fraud claims against clients Henry Yuen and Elsie Leung - former executives of the technology company Gemstar. Brian Maas represented the Leungs.  Read more.

Rules on Prehearing Dispositive Motions in Arbitrations

The New York Law Journal published Brian Maas and Amelia Brankov's article, "Rules on Prehearing Dispositive Motions in Arbitrations". Read more.

Barbara King Family Trust Case

The New York Law Journal listed Brian Maas as counsel to the Barbara King Family Trust in its "Appellate Division Decision" column.