contact information
P (310) 579 9570
F (424) 270 0464
esmizer@fkks.com
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areas of expertise
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Emma C. Smizer is an associate in the Interactive Entertainment and Privacy & Data Groups at Frankfurt Kurnit. Her work focuses on the intersection of entertainment and technology, assisting interactive entertainment developers and publishers in various transactional matters. Variety included Ms. Smizer in their Dealmakers of 2023 “Up Next” list. She is also a Certified Information Privacy Professional in U.S. data privacy laws (CIPP/US).
Prior to joining Frankfurt Kurnit, Ms. Smizer interned with the firm’s Interactive Entertainment Group, assisting on matters involving video games, advertising, data privacy, and the web3 space. During her time in law school, Ms. Smizer interned at a variety of firms, gaining experience in television and film production, music licensing, intellectual property, and esports.
Ms. Smizer earned her J.D. from LMU Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. As a law student, Ms. Smizer co-founded the Legal Name & Gender Marker Change Project, a pro bono clinic that provides legal services to the transgender and non-binary communities in the Greater Los Angeles area. During the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, she volunteered with the Small Businesses Law Student Support Program of the Berkeley Center for Law and Business, assisting small businesses seeking to access CARES Act benefits. Ms. Smizer also served as President of OUTLaw and the Entertainment and Sports Law Society.
Ms. Smizer is a member of the Esports Bar Association, where she serves on the Publications Committee, and is a member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals. She is admitted to practice in California.
awards & recognition
Variety’s Dealmakers of 2023 "Up Next"
education
LMU Loyola Law School, Los Angeles (J.D., 2022)
University of California, Irvine (B.A., 2017)
Upcoming Speaking Engagements
Show Me The Money: The Commodification of Celebrity
Michael Ling, Jordyn Milewski, and Emma C. Smizer present "Show Me The Money: The Commodification of Celebrity" during the Brooklyn Entertainment & Sports Law Society's second annual Entertainment Law Symposium. Read more.
April 5 2024
Past Speaking Engagements
2023 Digital Media & Video Game Conference
Emma C. Smizer is a panelist during the session, “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Digital Media, Video Games, Sports and Entertainment,“ at the 2023 Digital Media & Video Game Conference at UC Law. Details here.
November 15 2023
2023 Esports Bar Association Annual Conference
Emma C. Smizer is a panelist during the session, “AI in Esports, Gaming, & Content Creation,” at the Esports Bar Association Annual Conference at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. Details here.
November 5 2023
LLS Alumni Panel
Emma C. Smizer participates in a Loyola Law School (LLS) Alumni Panel hosted by the LLS Entertainment and Sports Law Society. The panel discusses the state of the entertainment industry, and the practice of entertainment law.
October 30 2023
Behind the Screen: Legal Issues in the Video Game Industry
Emma C. Smizer presents, "Behind the Screen: Legal Issues in the Video Game Industry" during a live webinar hosted by myLawCLE and the Federal Bar Association. Read more.
September 21 2023
VGBA Summit 2023
Daniel M. Goldberg and Emma C. Smizer are speakers during the workshop, "Around the California Privacy World in 30 Min" at the Video Game Bar Association Summit in Los Angeles. Read more.
May 23 2023
Frankfurt Kurnit’s Tech Law Summit
Please join us for Frankfurt Kurnit's inaugural Tech Law Summit at our offices in downtown Manhattan on Thursday, May 4, 2023. The event will be held in person only, and space is limited. Read more.
May 4 2023
Legal Issues on the Horizon: AI, Blockchain, and Beyond
Zach Lewis and Emma C. Smizer co-lead the “Legal Issues on the Horizon: AI, Blockchain, and Beyond” panel during Frankfurt Kurnit’s The Legal Side of Video Games event in San Francisco.
March 23 2023
Alykkat’s Twitch Livestream: Ask an Attorney
Emma C. Smizer is a speaker on Alyssa Sweetman (Alykkat’s) Twitch livestream, discussing what video game attorneys do for work. View the video here.
March 14 2023
2022 Esports Bar Association Annual Conference
Emma C. Smizer moderates the Streaming & Content Creation panel at the Esports Bar Association Annual Conference. Details here.
October 31 2022
Loyola OutLaw Alumni Panel
Emma C. Smizer speaks on the Loyola Outlaw Alumni Panel during the 50th Anniversary History Week for OutLaw. Register here.
October 18 2022
PAX West 2022
Emma C. Smizer presents, “Crafting Contracts for Music in Games (13+)” at PAX West in Seattle. Read more.
September 5 2022
news & press
Variety’s Dealmakers of 2023: Up Next
Variety includes Emma C. Smizer in their Dealmakers of 2023 “Up Next” list. Read more.
What the FTC-Microsoft COPPA Action means for the Gaming Sector
Last week, the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission announced a 20 million dollar settlement with Microsoft for allegedly violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Read more.
5 Pointers For Game Cos. Facing Calif. Kids Privacy Law
Rick Borden and Emma Smizer wrote the expert analysis column, “5 Pointers For Game Cos. Facing Calif. Kids Privacy Law” published in Law360. Read more.
Loot Box Litigation Lessons For Game Developers
Saphya Council and Emma Smizer wrote the expert analysis column, “Loot Box Litigation Lessons For Game Developers” published in Law360. Read more.