Mark A. Merriman

Mark A. Merriman is counsel to the Entertainment Group where he practices in all aspects of entertainment law - with an emphasis on theatre and book publishing. He is recognized in the 2023-2025 editions of Best Lawyers in America for Entertainment Law – Theatre. Mr. Merriman is listed as a “Super Lawyer” by Super Lawyers magazine, and has received praise in Chambers USA for his work in media and entertainment. Additionally, The Legal 500 list him as a “Key Lawyer” in Media and Entertainment for 2023-2024.

In his theatre practice, Mr. Merriman has acted as production counsel for numerous live stage productions such as “& Juliet,” “Black Light”, “The Effect”, “The Grand Paradise”, “Songbird”, “Every Brilliant Thing”, "Heathers The Musical", the Broadway revival of the "Glass Menagerie", "Hit the Wall", "Scandalous", "Cock", "Once", "Tribes", "Mistakes Were Made", "Our Town", "Adding Machine", "Gone Missing", "No Child". Mark is currently working on several projects in development, including new productions created by Third Rail Projects (“Ghost Light” and “Then She Fell”) and writer client, Michele Lowe (“Moses,” “Split”).

Mark also represents playwrights, bookwriters, composers, lyricists, dramaturgs, underlying rights holders, estates, music publishers, general managers, investors, co-producers, executive producers, directors, associate directors, resident directors, and other creative team personnel in the live stage industry.

Prior to entering law school, he worked in the theatre industry on several long-running Broadway musicals, and served as the business manager of the WPA Theatre in New York City.

He is admitted to practice in New York.

awards & recognition

Best Lawyers in America (Entertainment Law - Theatre)

The Legal 500 "Key Lawyer" in Media & Entertainment 2023-2024

Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business (Media & Entertainment)

New York-area "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyers magazine

education

Brooklyn Law School (J.D.)

  -Vice President of the Moot Court Honor Society

  -Member of the Order of the Barristers

Otterbein College (B.F.A., Theatre with Emphasis in Music)

Upcoming Speaking Engagements

Past Speaking Engagements

Cover to Cover: The Legal Chapters of Publishing

Mark A. Merriman is a speaker during the session, "Cover to Cover: The Legal Chapters of Publishing" hosted by Brooklyn Law School's Sports & Entertainment Law Society.

March 19 2024

JIPEL’s The Return of Broadway in the Age of Coronavirus

Lisa E. Davis and Mark Merriman are speakers during the session, "Profits vs Access: Intellectual Property Rights Issues in Broadway" at NYU's Journal of Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law’s annual symposium. Read more.

March 25 2022

2020 Music Director Intensive

Mark Merriman speaks at the 2020 Music Director Intensive at the Goodspeed Opera House.

January 26 2020

APAP | NYC 2018 Conference

Kimberly M. Maynard and Mark Merriman present “Using and Protecting Intellectual Property in Dance” at the Association for Performing Arts Professionals NYC Conference.

January 13 2018

Goodspeed Opera House Music Director Intensive

Mark Merriman speaks at the Goodspeed Opera House Music Director Intensive on copyright, legal and business issues in the theatre industry. 

January 23 2016

The Business of the Business

Mark Merriman presents "The Business of the Business", a discussion on the business elements involved in a career as a musical director, at a Music Direction Intensive program sponsored by Goodspeed Musicals.

January 24 2015

Columbia Business School Alumni’s Publishing in the Age of E-Books – Why Don’t E-Books Change?

Mark Merriman moderates a panel including executives from HarperCollins, Barnes & Noble, and Perseus Books.

March 15 2012

Legal Theatre Issues

Mark Merriman discusses "Legal Theatre Issues" at a Brooklyn Entertainment and Sports Law Society luncheon.

March 13 2012

Putting it Together: An Introduction to Entertainment Law Practice

Mark Merriman speak at "Putting it Together: An Introduction to Entertainment Law Practice", an NYSBA CLE seminar in the Concierge Conference Center New York City.

June 22 2011

The Law of the Stage: Issues in Theatre Law

Mark Merriman speaks at Brooklyn Entertainment and Sports Law Society's on "The Law of the Stage: Issues in Theatre Law" at Brooklyn Law School.

March 23 2011

Mark Merriman featured at the New York City Bar Association

Mark Merriman participates in the panel "Media Masala – Current Trends and Issues in US – India Film, Television and Music Programming, Production and Distribution" at the New York City Bar Association.

November 8 2010

news & press

Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named to New York Metro Super Lawyers List for 2024

Super Lawyers magazine lists 42 attorneys in its 2024 edition. Read more.

The Best Lawyers in America 2025

Best Lawyers in America recognizes 48 Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in the 2025 edition. Read more.

Frankfurt Kurnit in The Legal 500 2024

The Legal 500 praises four of our practice groups in 2024: Advertising & Marketing, Media & Entertainment, Advertising & Marketing (Litigation), and Cyber Law (Data Privacy & Data Protection). The London-based directory spotlighted thirty of our attorneys individually. Read more.

Frankfurt Kurnit in Chambers USA 2024

For the 20th consecutive year, Chambers and Partners include Frankfurt Kurnit practice groups & attorneys. The 2024 USA guide praises our Advertising, Entertainment, Intellectual Property, and Data Strategy, Privacy & Security practices. In addition,16 of our attorneys are ranked individually. Read more.

39 Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named to Super Lawyers New York Metro List for 2023

Super Lawyers magazine lists 39 Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 2023 NY-metro edition. Read more.

The Best Lawyers in America 2024

Best Lawyers in America recognizes 44 Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in the 2024 edition. Read more.

Frankfurt Kurnit in The Legal 500 2023

The Legal 500 once again praises Frankfurt Kurnit practice groups and attorneys in the 2023 edition of their United States guide. Read more.

Frankfurt Kurnit in Chambers USA 2023

For the 19th consecutive year, Chambers and Partners includes Frankfurt Kurnit practice groups & attorneys. The 2023 USA guide praises our Advertising, Entertainment, Intellectual Property, and Privacy & Data Security practices. In addition,15 of our attorneys are ranked individually. Read more.

Thirty-four 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, 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.

Frankfurt Kurnit in Chambers 2022

For the eighteenth consecutive year Chambers and Partners included Frankfurt Kurnit practice groups & attorneys. The 2022 USA guide praised our Advertising, Entertainment, Intellectual Property, and Privacy & Data Security practices. In addition,13 of our attorneys are ranked individually. Read more.

Thirty-four 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, 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.

Frankfurt Kurnit in Chambers 2021

For the seventeenth consecutive year Chambers and Partners included Frankfurt Kurnit practice groups & attorneys. The 2021 guide praised our Advertising, Entertainment, Intellectual Property, and Privacy & Data Security practices. In addition, 13 of our attorneys are ranked individually. Read more.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

Frankfurt Kurnit in Chambers 2018

For the fourteenth consecutive year Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business recognized Frankfurt Kurnit. Chambers USA ranked us for our: Advertising, Media & Entertainment and Intellectual Property practices. Read more.

Frankfurt Kurnit in Chambers 2017

For the thirteenth consecutive year Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business recognized Frankfurt Kurnit. Chambers USA ranked us for our: Advertising: Transactional & Regulatory, Intellectual Property: Trade Mark & Copyright, Media & Entertainment: Entertainment Litigation, and Media & Entertainment: Film, Music, Television & Theater work. Read more.

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

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

City Theaters Go Dark in Summer Shakeout

Mark Merriman is quoted in The Wall Street Journal article, "City Theaters Go Dark in Summer Shakeout". View Article

Frankfurt Kurnit in Chambers 2016

For the twelfth consecutive year Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business recognized Frankfurt Kurnit. Chambers USA ranked us for our: Advertising: Transactional & Regulatory, Intellectual Property: Trademark & Copyright, Media & Entertainment: Entertainment Litigation, and Media & Entertainment: Film, Music, Television & Theater work. 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.

Frankfurt Kurnit in Chambers 2015

For the eleventh consecutive year Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business recognized Frankfurt Kurnit. 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.

Frankfurt Kurnit in Chambers 2014

For the tenth consecutive year Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business recognized Frankfurt Kurnit. 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.

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.

Frankfurt Kurnit in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers For Business 2011

For the seventh consecutive year Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business recognized Frankfurt Kurnit. Read more.

Frankfurt Kurnit Adds Merriman as Entertainment Partner

Frankfurt Kurnit named Mark Merriman a partner to the Entertainment Group. ScreenDaily covered the news. View Article

Mark Merriman and S. Jean Ward Quoted in The Deal

The Deal quoted Mark Merriman and S. Jean Ward on the evolution of the Broadway musical business.