
contact information
P (212) 705 4833
F (347) 438 2133
cdecter@fkks.com
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areas of expertise
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Caren Decter is a partner in the Litigation Group, focusing on commercial and intellectual property litigation, and white collar defense. Named to Benchmark Litigation’s 2019 and 2021 40 & Under Hot List and listed as a 2022 Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers magazine, Ms. Decter represents clients in civil and criminal matters pending in state and federal courts around the country.
Clients benefit from her skill in managing complex litigation aggressively and efficiently, as well as her responsiveness and ability to forge creative solutions to complicated problems before they grow into drawn-out litigation.
In her sophisticated white collar defense practice, Ms. Decter represents individuals and corporations in regulatory and criminal investigations involving allegations of accounting fraud, securities fraud, insider trading, antitrust violations, and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. She frequently handles matters involving the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Department of Justice, various U.S. Attorney Offices and various District Attorney Offices. She also assists clients in their responses to time-sensitive data security incidents and breaches.
In addition, Ms. Decter has a wide-ranging commercial and intellectual property litigation practice. She advises clients in the finance, legal, consumer goods, advertising, art, and media and entertainment industries — on “business divorces”, contract, fraud, copyright, trademark, false advertising, ADA compliance and other matters. Her recent work includes:
- Obtaining dismissal of copyright claims against the world’s largest online clearinghouse of stock 3D models;
- Successfully arguing an appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirming an $8 million judgment;
- Negotiating multi-million dollar “business divorce” settlements for numerous clients;
- Defending numerous clients against class action lawsuits alleging that their websites and mobile apps fail to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and related state laws; and
- Obtaining dismissal on summary judgment of a $30 million art fraud complaint.
Ms. Decter takes on significant pro bono matters. The Anti-Defamation League awarded Ms. Decter and several of her colleagues the Edward Brodsky Founders Award in recognition of their work on an amicus brief arguing against President Trump’s travel ban.
Ms. Decter is on the Board of Directors for the New York County Lawyers Association and a member of the Federal Courts Committee of the NYC Bar Association. Prior to joining Frankfurt Kurnit, Ms. Decter was an attorney with Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, where she represented clients in complex commercial litigations. She also spent a year clerking for the Honorable Colleen McMahon, Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
She is admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey, and the federal courts in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, the District of New Jersey, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.
awards & recognition
2022 New York-area "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyers magazine
2019 and 2021 40 & Under Hot List by Benchmark Litigation
2015 - 2017 New York-area "Rising Star" by Super Lawyers magazine
education
University of California, Berkeley School of Law (J.D.)
-Articles Editor of the California Law Review
Washington University in St. Louis (B.A., summa cum laude)
Upcoming Speaking Engagements
Past Speaking Engagements
What the Supreme Court’s Decision in Warhol Means for Copyright Law
In this webinar moderated by Edward H. Rosenthal, our panel of experts including Nicole Bergstrom, Caren Decter, Melissa Georges, Jeremy Goldman, and Craig Whitney discuss the Warhol decision and its impact on various creative endeavors. Read more.
June 7 2023
DOC NYC | Warhol Foundation vs. Goldsmith: A New Test for “Fair Use” By Filmmakers?
Lisa E Davis, Caren Decter, and Melissa Georges present, "Warhol Foundation vs. Goldsmith: A New Test for 'Fair Use' By Filmmakers?" during DOC NYC's Funding Day.
November 10 2022
The Business of Art
Caren Decter joins panelists to discuss how to enter and navigate the art world during a Washington University alumni event. More information here.
October 25 2022
From NFTs to Andy Warhol to New Legislation: Current Developments in Copyright
Join our Intellectual Property attorneys for our upcoming copyright law webinar. Read more.
May 11 2022
WashU Fashion Law Panel Discussion
Caren Decter speaks on the WashU Fashion Law Panel via Zoom.
October 22 2021
Internationalist Roundtable Discussion: Disability & Inclusion—Marketing & Legal Considerations
Caren Decter speaks on “Disability & Inclusion—Marketing & Legal Considerations” during an Internationalist Roundtable Discussion. Listen to the podcast here or watch on YouTube here.
August 25 2021
ADA Digital Accessibility Legal Trends in 2021
Ensuring that your website, mobile applications and social media are accessible to persons with disabilities is not only a sign of inclusion and good corporate citizenship: it’s also a legal requirement. This webinar will provide an update on the legal landscape and tips to ensure your digital presence meets current legal standards for accessibility. Read more.
February 23 2021
What’s Happening in Copyright Law? Part II
Does your business depend on copyright ownership and licensing, or rise and fall with changes in copyright law? Do you use content created by others or worry that your content is going to be stolen? Are you susceptible to copyright claims from third parties or trolls? If so, please join us remotely for part two of the Frankfurt Kurnit CLE (CA & NY credit) update on current hot topics in copyright law. (Note: part one is not a prerequisite for part two.) Read more.
August 13 2020
Hot Issues in Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law in the Federal Courts
Caren Decter presents “Hot Issues in Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law in the Federal Courts” during a panel sponsored by the New York County Lawyers Association. More information here.
March 27 2019
news & press
Amici: How a Painting of Prince Could Threaten Documentary Filmmaking
Law Dork speaks with Caren Decter about the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. v. Lynn Goldsmith case and why documentary filmmakers are focused on the case. Read more.
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.
More Than 2,000 Women Partners Issue Call to Action Post-‘Dobbs’
Partners Victoria Cook, Lisa E. Davis, Caren Decter, Catherine Farrelly, Julie Murray, Amy Nickin, Terri Seligman, Hannah Taylor, and Linda Wank signed a letter, and call to action, in the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. (Behind paywall) View Article
U.S. Department of Justice Issues New Guidelines for Website Accessibility
The Small Business Association of Michigan cites Caren Decter in the article, “U.S. Department of Justice Issues New Guidelines for Website Accessibility.” View Article
Website Accessibility: Department of Justice Issues New Guidance
On March 18, 2022, the Department of Justice ("DOJ") published guidance on website accessibility. The guidance focuses on how state and local governments (Title II of the ADA) and “public accommodations” (Title III of the ADA) can remove unnecessary barriers that make it difficult or impossible for people with disabilities to use websites. 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.
Benchmark Litigation: 40 & Under Hot List Northeast
Caren Decter is named to Benchmark Litigation’s 40 & Under Hot List for 2021. View Article
Lawsuits Pile Up Against M.I.A. New York Real Estate Lawyer Mitchell Kossoff
Reuters quotes Caren Decter on placing Kossoff PLLC into a receivership. View Article
Kossoff PLLC Attys Resign Amid Firm’s Mounting Legal Woes
Law360 quotes Ronald C. Minkoff and Caren Decter on their representation of several attorneys that have resigned from real estate firm Kossoff PLLC. View Article
Courts Grapple with Virtual Proceedings in Quarantined New York
MarketWatch quotes Caren Decter on the immediate cash flow concerns due to the hold on nonessential court filings for current cases in New York State courts. View Article
Frankfurt Kurnit in Chambers 2020
For the sixteenth consecutive year Chambers and Partners included Frankfurt Kurnit practice groups & attorneys. The 2020 guide praised our Advertising, Entertainment and Intellectual Property practices. In addition, 13 of our attorneys are ranked individually. Read more.
Benchmark Litigation: 40 & Under Hot List - Northeast 2019
Caren Decter is named to Benchmark Litigation’s 40 & Under Hot List for 2019.
Subcontractor Can’t Duck $8.7M Home Depot Damages Award
Law360 mentions Caren Dector as counsel to an injured worker in a lawsuit against Home Depot and its subcontractor Bryan’s Home Improvement Corp. (Behind paywall) View Article
ADA Website Accessibility Lawsuits: What Companies Need to Know
Plaintiffs have filed thousands of lawsuits (including class actions) alleging that commercial websites are not accessible to the blind or visually impaired in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the “ADA”) and corresponding state laws. Read more.
Are You Ready for the New York Cybersecurity Regulations’ September 3rd Deadline?
Financial institutions and insurance companies operating in New York have until September 3, 2018 to comply with the next phase of New York's Cybersecurity Regulations. Here's what you need to know to avoid regulatory scrutiny. Read more.
The Legal Battle Against the Trump “Travel Ban” Goes to the Supreme Court
We filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the United States Supreme Court on behalf of our client, the Anti-Defamation League, and other civil rights organizations, in support of Hawaii’s challenge to President Trump’s Executive Order titled “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States.” John B. Harris led the Frankfurt Kurnit drafting team that included Caren Lerner Decter, Jeremy S. Goldman and Rayna S. Lopyan. View Article
New York Law Journal - On the Move
The New York Law Journal covered Frankfurt Kurnit’s promotion of Caren Decter and Hayden Goldblatt to partner positions. (Article behind paywall) View Article
Frankfurt Kurnit Law Firm Promotes Top Litigation and Entertainment Lawyers to Partner
January 3, 2018, New York, N.Y. - Frankfurt Kurnit Klein + Selz, PC has elected Caren Decter and Hayden Goldblatt as partners effective January 1st, 2018. Read more.
After Tearful Apology, Star Dewey & LeBoeuf Witness Avoids Jail
The New York Law Journal mentions Caren Decter as attorney for Francis Canellas, a key witness in the case arising from the collapse of Dewey & LeBoeuf.
Super Bowl All-Nighter Leads to Award-Winning Travel Ban Brief
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) awarded our law firm the Edward Brodsky Founders Award in recognition of our work for the ADL in the Trump “travel ban” cases. Bloomberg BNA and The New York Law Journal summarized our amicus brief arguments, covered our award, and explained how our brief came together.
ADL New York Honors Frankfurt Kurnit
The ADL New York region is presenting Frankfurt Kurnit with an award for our pro bono efforts in opposing the immigration ban. The award will be given at ADL’s annual meeting on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at the Jewish Museum, 1109 5th Avenue.
Federal Appeals Court Affirms Injunction Against President Trump’s “Travel Ban”
CNN posted the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals decision in International Refugee Assistance Project v. Trump, upholding the district court’s nationwide preliminary injunction order against President Trump’s Executive Order 13780. Frankfurt Kurnit drafted an amicus curiae brief on behalf of the Anti-Defamation League, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Union for Reform Judaism, Central Conference of American Rabbis, and Women of Reform Judaism. View Article
State of Washington v. Donald J. Trump, No. 17-35105 (9th Cir.)
We filed a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of our client, the Anti-Defamation League, in support of Washington and Minnesota’s challenge to President Trump’s Executive Order titled “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States.” You can read our brief here.
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.
Thirty-five Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named “Super Lawyers” for 2016
Super Lawyers listed thirty-five Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 2016 edition. Read more.
Frankfurt Kurnit Promotes Caren Decter and Hayden Goldblatt to Counsel
Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz, PC has elected Caren Decter and Hayden Goldblatt as counsel effective January 1st, 2016. Read more.
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.
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.
Ex-Dewey Partner Can’t Sue Barclays In Federal Court
Law360 listed Ronald Minkoff and Caren Decter as counsel in the matter of McMillan v. Barclays Bank PLC.
Why Jewel V. Boxer is Wrong
The American Bar Association published Caren Decter and Ronald Minkoff's article on the impact of the Jewel v. Boxer. View Article
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.
California Court Finds California Resale Royalties Act Unconstitutional
Ipfrontline featured Caren Lerner's article about how the California Resale Royalties act violated the dormant Commerce Clause of the Constitution.
Court Clears Use of YouTube-famous “Flying Rabbi” in Humor Sketch
The use of someone without permission in entertainment can trigger a lawsuit for "commercial appropriation of likeness." And so it was recently when "Jimmy Kimmel Live" created a video mocking a 2010 "business meeting" between basketball star LeBron James and a rabbi. Read more.