contact information
P (212) 826 5523
F (347) 438 2121
mwogan@fkks.com
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areas of expertise
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Maura J. Wogan is a partner and Co-Chair of the Litigation Group at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz with over 30 years of experience in all aspects of sophisticated intellectual property law, including litigation, counseling, and pre-publication review of content in all media.
Ms. Wogan focuses on litigation of copyright, trademark, right of publicity, defamation and entertainment matters. Her clients include media companies (both traditional and online publishers), filmmakers, television producers, advertising agencies, writers, illustrators, literary agents and book packagers. She also drafts and negotiates agreements for publishing clients. She is admitted to practice in New York.
Ms. Wogan has litigated many high-profile intellectual property and entertainment cases nationwide. Representative matters include:
- Represented of Hasbro, Inc. in copyright, trademark and breach of contract claims related to motion picture rights in the Dungeons & Dragons property;
- Represented filmmaker Terrence Malick in litigation over documentary film rights;
- Represented documentary filmmaker Joe Berlinger in the assertion of his journalist’s privilege in response to Chevron Corporation's efforts to obtain more than 600 hours of unused film footage from the documentary film Crude;
- Defended author and publisher of 60 Years Later: Coming Through the Rye in copyright infringement claim brought by J.D. Salinger;
- Represented the Margaret Mitchell Estate in precedential copyright case against author and publisher of The Wind Done Gone, a claimed parody of Gone With the Wind;
- Represented Tribune Company in a lawsuit against actor Warren Beatty over film rights to the Dick Tracy character;
- Defended Tribune Entertainment Company, defeating an attempt by Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation to block the broadcast of the Tribune syndicated television series Mutant X;
- Represented the heirs of Igor Stravinsky in a copyright infringement claim arising from an unauthorized biography of the composer;
- Represented John Cheever Estate in a copyright infringement and contract case arising from the unauthorized publication of Mr. Cheever’s stories; and
- Defended Penguin Books in a copyright infringement case involving Stephen King’s bestseller Desperation.
awards & recognition
Best Lawyers in America for Litigation - Intellectual Property
Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business (Media and Entertainment)
"Super Lawyer" for Intellectual Property for nineteen consecutive years
Variety's Legal Impact Report (2015)
The Legal 500
Irish Legal 100
education
Columbia University School of Law (J.D., Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, 1979)
St. John's University (B.A., summa cum laude, 1976)
Upcoming Speaking Engagements
Past Speaking Engagements
Copyright Ownership of Film, Video and Other Content
Maura Wogan presents "Copyright Ownership of Film, Video and Other Content" for the New York City Bar.
May 17 2017
A Piece of the Action: How Two Copyright Cases Changed the Filmmaking Business (LA OFFICE)
Who owns the copyright in a motion picture, television, theatrical or digital video project? Read more.
November 15 2016
Navigating Your Company Through a World of Big Copyright Damages: An Insider’s Look
Edward Rosenthal, Maura Wogan and Jeremy S. Goldman lead a CLE discussion on some of the key laws, cases and trends involving copyright remedies. Their presentation provides an insiders' view of the risk-mitigation tactics, legal strategies and practical approaches that they have used to help their clients navigate through difficult copyright claims. Read more.
May 15 2015
New York Women in Film and Television Panel Discussion
Maura Wogan speaks on a reporters' privilege and documentary film production at a NYWIFT panel discussion. Frankfurt Kurnit hosts the event.
June 11 2013
PLI’s Advanced Seminar on Copyright Law 2011
Maura Wogan presents a "Fair Use Update" at the Practicing Law Institute's Seminar on Copyright Law of 2011.
May 3 2011
Copyright Society of the USA
Edward Rosenthal and Maura Wogan speak on the Salinger v. Colting case at the Los Angeles Chapter Copyright Society of the USA.
February 9 2011
Three Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Participate in the MLRC/NAA 2010 Media Law Conference
Three Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys participate in the MLRC/NAA 2010 Media Law Conference in Virginia. Maura Wogan moderates a panel discussion on issues arising from the Colting v. Salinger litigation. Ronald Minkoff presents "Ethics in the Electronic Era". And Rick Kurnit presents on "Privacy, Publicity, and Use and Protection of Data".
September 29 2010
news & press
‘Sophie’s Choice’ Theater Rights Case Trimmed
Law360 mentions Maura J. Wogan and Molly G. Rothschild as counsel to playwright David Rintels in his lawsuit involving the family of William Styron, the author of Sophie's Choice. The court ruled that Stryon's contract with Rintels had not expired, noting that in 2020 the family accepted a "very substantial option" payment from a production company working with Mr. Rintels. (Behind paywall) View Article
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.
‘Sophie’s Choice’ Theatrical Rights Deal Long Over, Court Told
Law360 mentions Maura J. Wogan and Molly G. Rothschild as counsel to playwright David Rintels in his lawsuit over theatrical rights to the 1979 novel Sophie's Choice. (Behind paywall) View Article
The Best Lawyers in America 2025
Best Lawyers in America recognizes 48 Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in the 2025 edition. 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.
MrBeast Says Restaurant Co.‘s Suit Is Trying To ‘Gaslight’ Court
Law360 mentions Maura J. Wogan and Nicole Bergstrom as counsel to YouTube megastar MrBeast, who recently urged a New York state court to dismiss a lawsuit, arguing that the opposing party attempted to both unlawfully silence him and "gaslight" the court and the public. View Article
‘Sophie’s Choice’ Writer’s Family Sued Over Stage Rights Deal
Law360 mentions Maura J. Wogan and Molly G. Rothschild as counsel to stage, television, and movie writer David W. Rintels, who sued the family of the writer of Sophie's Choice over stage deal rights. View Article
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.
MrBeast Slaps Fast-Food Partner With Suit Over ‘Inedible’ Eats
Law360 mentions Maura J. Wogan and Nicole Bergstrom as counsel to Youtube star MrBeast's Beast Investments, who claims food delivery company Virtual Dining Concepts has tarnished his reputation by serving low-quality food for his MrBeast Burger restaurant. View Article
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.
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.
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.
Super Lawyers - New York Metro Top Women for 2020
The New York Times distributed the Super Lawyers list of the New York Metro Area's Top Women for 2020. Fourteen Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys made the list: Wendy Stryker (Employment Law), Victoria Cook, Lisa Davis & Jean Ward (Entertainment Law), Barbara Shiers (Estate Planning & Probate), Catherine Farrelly (Intellectual Property), Kim Maynard & Maura Wogan (Intellectual Property Litigation) Candice Kersh & Terri Seligman (Media and Advertising). Marcie Cleary & Sasha Levites (Entertainment Law), and Rachel Santori (Intellectual Property Law) are listed as "Rising Stars."
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.
Brat Inc: MGA Entertainment’s Dispute Over “BRATZ” Mark Dismissed
Lloyd’s Intellectual Property Reporter mentions Maura Wogan, Jeremy S. Goldman, and Kimberly Maynard as counsel to Brat, Inc. in its trademark dispute with MGA Entertainment, Inc. The case was dismissed.
Frankfurt Kurnit in The Legal 500 2019
The Legal 500 praises four of our core practice groups: Marketing and Advertising; Media and Entertainment; Intellectual Property (Copyright); and Cyber Law (Data Privacy and Data Protection). The London-based directory spotlighted 18 of our attorneys individually: Gregory Boyd, Christopher Chase, Victoria Cook, Daniel M. Goldberg, Hayden Goldblatt, Jeremy Goldman, Richard Heller, Andrew Hurwitz, Sean Kane, Candice Kersh, Gavin McElroy, Brian G. Murphy, Edward H. Rosenthal and Maura Wogan. Jeffrey A. Greenbaum, Rick Kurnit and Terri Seligman are listed as “Leading Lawyers” in Advertising and Marketing. Hannah Taylor is listed as “Next Generation Lawyer” in Marketing and Advertising.
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.
Hasbro, DC Comics Settle ‘Bumblebee’ Superhero TM Battle
Law360 mentions Catherine Farrelly and Maura J. Wogan as counsel to Hasbro Inc. The settlement resolves Hasbro’s claim that DC Comics’ yellow “Bumblebee” toy action figure infringed Hasbro’s Bumblebee Transformers character. (Behind paywall) View Article
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.
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.
Hasbro Says DC Comics Infringes ‘Transformers’ Toy Mark
Law360 mentions Catherine Farrelly and Maura J. Wogan as the lawyers for Hasbro Inc. in a high-profile toy industry IP dispute in New York federal court. The article discusses Hasbro Inc.’s allegation that DC Comics copied the name of its yellow “Bumblebee” character from Hasbro’s famous Transformers character. (Article behind a paywall) View Article
Frankfurt Kurnit in The Legal 500 2017
The Legal 500, a London-based directory of leading lawyers, listed Frankfurt Kurnit for Media, Technology & Telecom work (Marketing and Advertising) in Tier 1 in its 2017 edition 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.
Irish Legal 100
Irish Legal 100 named Maura Wogan to their Legal 100 list for 2016.
Thirty-four Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named “Super Lawyers” for 2016
Super Lawyers listed thirty-four Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 2016 edition. Read more.
Frankfurt Kurnit in The Legal 500 2016
The Legal 500, a London-based directory of leading lawyers, listed Frankfurt Kurnit for Media, Technology & Telecom work (Marketing and Advertising) in Tier 1 and Intellectual Property work (Copyright) in its 2016 edition. Read more.
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.
Hasbro Says Fox Anchor Doesn’t Look Like A Hamster
Maura J. Wogan and Jeremy S. Goldman are mentioned in the Law360 article, "Hasbro Says Fox Anchor Doesn't Look Like A Hamster".
Thirty-three Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named “Super Lawyers” for 2015
Super Lawyers listed thirty-three Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 2015 edition. Read more.
Legal Battle Over Dungeons & Dragons Film Rights Ends in Settlement
A settlement has been reached in the "Dungeons and Dragons" film dispute between Hasbro, Warner Brothers, and Sweetpea Entertainment. Frankfurt Kurnit's Maura Wogan and Jeremy S. Goldman respresented Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast. You can find Variety coverage here, Hollywood Reporter coverage here, Guardian coverage here, Deadline coverage here, and Courthouse News coverage here.
Frankfurt Kurnit in Chambers 2015
For the eleventh consecutive year Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business recognized Frankfurt Kurnit. Read more.
Variety Legal Impact Report 2015
Maura Wogan and Jeremy S. Goldman were listed in Variety's Legal Impact Report for 2015. View Article
Thirty-one Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named “Super Lawyers” for 2014
Super Lawyers listed thirty-one Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 2014 edition. Read more.
Wogan and Goldman Represent Hasbro in Trial Over Dungeons & Dragons Film Rights
Frankfurt Kurnit's Maura Wogan and Jeremy S. Goldman represent Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast in a dispute focusing on questions at the heart of the entertainment business. Read more.
After ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Trial, Parties Fight Over Meaning of Movie Sequel
The Hollywood Reporter continues its coverage of the Hasbro Inc. v. Sweetpea Entertainment trial – the battle over film rights to the Dungeons & Dragons property. Maura Wogan and Jeremy S. Goldman represent Hasbro. View Article
Hasbro Trial Over ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Property Opens
Law360 and Deadline Hollywood covered the start of the trial between our client Hasbro and Sweetpea Entertainment over the movie rights to "Dungeons & Dragons". Maura Wogan and Jeremy S. Goldman represent Hasbro and lead our trial team in California. View Article
‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Movie Fight” “Son of a Bitch” Sequel Spat Heads to Trial
The Hollywood Reporter listed Maura Wogan and Jeremy S. Goldman as lead counsel for Hasbro in an upcoming trial about who owns the rights to "Dungeons and Dragons". View Article
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.
Update: Terrence Malick’s Sycamore Pictures Sued By ‘Voyage Of Time’ Docu Backer
Deadline Hollywood recognized Maura Wogan and Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Sycamore Pictures in a case filed by Seven Seas Partnership. View Article
Hasbro Sues to Stop Warner Bros. ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ Film
Hollywood Reporter identified Maura Wogan as lead counsel for Hasbro in a case of unauthorized production of a film based on Dungeons & Dragons, the copyrights and trademarks of which are owned by Hasbro Inc. View Article
Nine Frankfurt Kurnit Women Honored As “Super Lawyers”
Nine Frankfurt Kurnit women appeared in The New York Times Magazine’s women "Super Lawyers" list for 2012. The list appeared on December 30th in a special section devoted to women attorneys in the New York metropolitan area. Read more.
Seventeen Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named 2011 New York-Area “Super Lawyers”
Super Lawyers named seventeen Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 2011 edition. Read more.
Maura Wogan Featured in a Bloomberg Law Podcast
Bloomberg Law featured Maura Wogan in a podcast about recent developments in Chevron Corp.'s attempts to subpoena 600 hours of unused footage from our client Joe Berlinger's documentary film, Crude.
‘Saddle Club’ Producer Sues Discovery
The Daily Record recognized Maura Wogan was mentioned as counsel to Canadian production company, Protocol, in "'Saddle Club' Producer Sues Discovery."