Sean Jefferson

Sean Jefferson is a partner in the Entertainment Group. 

Mr. Jefferson has wide-ranging experience in all areas of film and television development, production, and distribution, representing financiers, production companies, distributors, independent producers, filmmakers and athletes. He has negotiated complex single picture and slate multi-party financings both on behalf of producers and financiers. He has also represented producers in recent cutting edge political documentaries. Mr. Jefferson is experienced in structuring and negotiating rights acquisition, content distribution, sales agreements both domestic and foreign, and co-production and financing agreements.

The Hollywood Reporter included Mr. Jefferson in its list of New York “Power Lawyers” for 2025. Variety included Mr. Jefferson in its Legal Impact Report for 2025 and 2021, and in its 2020 Dealmaker Impact Report as an “Up Next” honoree. Mr. Jefferson is recognized in the 2021-2025 editions of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Entertainment and Sports law. Diverse Representation included him Mr. Jefferson in its “Ten to Watch in 2022” list as a standout attorney in the entertainment industry. Lawyers of Color included him in its 2022 Hot List.  Additionally, the LA Times featured Mr. Jefferson in its article, “Finding Outside Help To Finance Movies: Pandemic Uncertainty Has Prompted The Studios To Partner With New Investors.”

Prior to joining Frankfurt Kurnit, he served as an associate in the Business and Legal Affairs Department at BRON Studios where he helped structure and draft rights acquisition, financing, and production deals and assisted with the negotiation of distribution deals for several feature films, including “Assassination Nation” and “Leave No Trace.” 

He is admitted to practice in New York.

awards & recognition

The Hollywood Reporter's Power Lawyers 2025: The Big Apple's Biggest Attorneys 

Best Lawyers in America "Ones to Watch" 2021-2025 (Entertainment and Sports)

Variety's Legal Impact Report (2021, 2025)

Diverse Representation: Ten to Watch in 2022

Lawyers of Color: Hot List 2022

Variety's 2020 Dealmaker Impact Report “Up Next” List

education

St. John's University School of Law (J.D., 2016)

St. John's University (B.S., Legal Studies, 2013)

Upcoming Speaking Engagements

Past Speaking Engagements

Film Financing Unveiled

Hayden Goldblatt and Sean Jefferson, with Lynnette Gryseels from The Film Collaborative, speak on the panel, "Film Financing Unveiled" at DOC NYC, the largest documentary film festival in the United States. Details here.

November 15 2024

Corporate v. Litigation

Sean Jefferson is on the panel, "Corporate v. Litigation," during an event hosted by the Federal Bar Association at St. John's University.

November 9 2023

Entertainment Financing in the New Global Landscape

Hayden Goldblatt and Sean Jefferson present, "Entertainment Financing in the New Global Landscape" during an event at JP Morgan Chase.

May 31 2023

The Future of the Sports Industry: 2022 and Beyond

Christopher Chase, Hayden Goldblatt, Jeremy Goldman, Sean Jefferson, Hannah Taylor, and special guests host a roundtable webinar covering hot topics in the sports industry. Read more.

May 12 2022

American Black Film Festival

Lisa E. Davis, Marcie Cleary and Sean Jefferson present “Making the Deal – Knowing What Matters” during a master class at the American Black Film Festival in Miami Beach.

June 15 2019

news & press

THR’s Power Lawyers 2025: The Big Apple’s Biggest Attorneys

The Hollywood Reporter includes Lisa E. Davis, Victoria S. Cook, Sean Jefferson, and Sasha H. Levites—chosen based on the impact of their cases, the profiles of their clients and their reputation for success—in its New York “Power Lawyers” list for 2025. View Article

Variety’s 2025 Legal Impact Report

Variety's 2025 Legal Impact Report includes Marcie Cleary, Victoria S. Cook, Andrew Hurwitz, and Joshua M. Lewin for their work in the entertainment space. Hayden Goldblatt, Alan D. Sacks, Sean Jefferson, and Larissa Calva Ruiz are included for their work in the film and TV financing space. The report spotlights the leading attorneys in the entertainment industry over the past year. View Article

Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Global Entertainment, Sports & Media Lawyers (2025)

Lawdragon recognizes twenty Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 500 Leading Global Entertainment, Sports & Media Lawyers guide for 2025. View Article

Sean Jefferson Named a Partner in Frankfurt Kurnit Klein + Selz

Shoot magazine reports Sean Jefferson was elected as a partner at Frankfurt Kurnit. The publication notes his extensive experience in all areas of film and television development, production and distribution, representing a wide range of clients. It also notes Mr. Jefferson’s multiple industry accolades. View Article

Frankfurt Kurnit Law Firm Promotes Sean Jefferson to Partner

January 3rd, 2025 New York, N.Y. — Frankfurt Kurnit Klein + Selz, PC is pleased to announce that it has elected Sean Jefferson as a partner effective January 1, 2025. Sean will be a partner in the firm’s Entertainment Group. He is based in the firm's New York office. Read more.

The Best Lawyers in America 2025

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

Young Lawyers (Gen Z) Are Getting Tons of New Business—the Old-Fashioned Way

Law.com quotes Sean F. Jefferson and Emma C. Smizer on how lawyers in their late 20s and 30s are building books of business. (Behind paywall) View Article

Naomi Watts & Bill Murray To Topline Dramedy ‘The Friend’ From Scott McGehee & David Siegel; Constance Wu, Ann Dowd Among Others Set

Deadline mentions Hayden Goldblatt and Sean Jefferson as counsel to Scott McGehee and David Siegel, who are set to write, direct, and produce "The Friend," starring Naomi Watts and Bill Murray. View Article

The Best Lawyers in America 2024

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

Lawyers of Color: Hot List 2022

Lawyers of Color included Sean Jefferson and Khasim Lockhart in their 2022 Hot List which recognizes junior and mid-level attorneys who exemplify integrity, high achievement, leadership, and a passion for diversity. 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.

Diverse Representation: The Ten to Watch in 2022

Diverse Representation includes Sean Jefferson as one of their Ten to Watch in 2022 honorees. View Article

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.

Variety’s 2021 Legal Impact Report

Variety’s 2021 Legal Impact Report includes Marcie Cleary for her representation of creators in film, TV and digital. Larissa Calva Ruiz, Hayden Goldblatt, Sean Jefferson and Alan Sacks are recognized for their work in entertainment finance. View Article

Variety’s Dealmakers Impact Report 2020: Top Negotiators That Have Kept Hollywood Humming

Variety includes Sean Jefferson in their Dealmakers Impact Report “Up Next” list for 2020. View Article

Finding Outside Help to Finance Movies: Pandemic Uncertainty Has Prompted the Studios to Partner with New Investors

The Los Angeles Times quotes Sean Jefferson on different approaches to film financing due to the pandemic. 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.

American Black Film Festival Features Events in South Beach

Local10.com mentions Lisa E. Davis, Marcie Cleary and Sean Jefferson’s master class “Making the Deal – Knowing What Matters” in its coverage of American Black Film festival in Miami. View Article