Frankfurt Kurnit is a diverse and inclusive law firm both in composition and practice. We are signatories to the New York City Bar’s Statement of Diversity Principles and believe that employing people with varied experiences, backgrounds and viewpoints leads to a firm with different and innovative ideas, knowledge, and approaches, and creates an internal culture that encourages positive relationships and communication. This also allows the firm to appreciate and service clients with varied perspectives and backgrounds.
In 2023, we were proud to have been honored by Lawyers of Color (LoC) with their Aspire Diversity Award. Partners Lisa E. Davis and Terri Seligman were also recognized by The New York Law Journal as 2022 Diversity Initiative honorees.
We regularly host events for our clients, attorneys, and staff, leveraging Frankfurt Kurnit’s deep ties to the media, entertainment, and academic circles. We have hosted roundtable discussions, lectures, and working sessions led by prominent authors and experts on important and cutting-edge issues.
If you have any questions, please contact Lisa E. Davis at (212) 826-5530 or ldavis@fkks.com.
Alerts
Force Majeure: Court Will Decide Whether COVID-19 Excused Developer’s Failure to Close
COVID-19 has disrupted business operations and contracts across industries on an unprecedented scale. Some individuals and companies are trying to avoid or delay their contractual obligations by invoking previously overlooked force majeure provisions. Others are aiming to enforce their contracts after receiving force majeure notices. We expect a new wave of litigation. Last month, one of the first force majeure case arising out of COVID-19 was filed in California: Pacific Collective LLC v. ExxonMobil Oil Corp. Read more.
May 11, 2020
Alerts: Entertainment Law
“Packaging Fees” Dispute: Court Permits Certain Writer Claims to Proceed
Film and television creatives and executives have been closely watching William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, LLC vs. Writers Guild of America, West, Inc., a battle between talent agencies and writers over agency “packaging fees.” Resolution of the dispute will have a large impact on how writers, creators, and agents get paid. Recently, a federal judge issued an important ruling on the WGA and individual writers’ claims -- allowing certain claims to proceed. Read more.
May 11, 2020
In the Press: Quoted
California Judge Denies Injunction Against LegalMatch
Bloomberg Law quotes Ronald C. Minkoff on the California State Bar’s complaint against online lawyer referral service LegalMatch. View Article
May 8, 2020
In the Press
Amazon Developing ‘The Horror of Dolores Roach’; Creator Aaron Mark Strikes First-Look Deal With Blumhouse Television
Deadline mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Daphne Rubin-Vega who starred in the podcast that Blumhouse Television is developing at Amazon. View Article
May 8, 2020
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In the Press
Temporary Waiver Regarding the Use of Stock Footage under the SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract
Extreme Reach features Brian Murphy’s blog post “Temporary Waiver Regarding the Use of Stock Footage under the SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract.” View Article
May 7, 2020
Alerts: Entertainment Law
The Show Must Go On: Production During the Pandemic
From pitch meetings to development and production, COVID-19 has changed the way creatives and their representatives do business. Read more.
May 4, 2020
Alerts: Estate Planning Law
Estate Planning Opportunities During the Pandemic
The pandemic’s effect on the economy has led to reduced valuations for many privately-owned and publicly-traded businesses, as well as reduced valuations for real estate and other assets. At the same time, interest rates remain at historically low levels. This unique economic environment can create estate planning opportunities for certain individuals and families. Read more.
May 4, 2020
Alerts
IRS: Forgiven Paycheck Protection Program Loan Expenses Are Not Deductible
On April 30, 2020, the IRS announced in Notice 2020-32 that expenditures of CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan funds that otherwise would be deductible for federal income tax purposes will not be deductible to the extent such loan funds are forgiven pursuant to the PPP. Read more.
May 4, 2020
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Alerts: Sports Law
April Sports Industry News 2020
Here’s what’s happening at the intersection of sports, marketing, and entertainment law as we face an unprecedented and difficult entry into Spring. Read more.
May 1, 2020
Published Articles
Tips for Minimizing Law Firm Liability During COVID-19
Law360 published Nicole Hyland’s article “Tips for Minimizing Law Firm Liability During COVID-19.” The article discusses risk management issues that law firms face during the COVID-19 pandemic and offers tips for minimizing risks. View Article
April 29, 2020
In the Press
Town Sports International: AGs Target Health Clubs For Charging Fees While Closed
MarketScreener shared Jeffrey A. Greenbaum’s blog post “Town Sports International: AGs Target Health Clubs For Charging Fees While Closed.” View Article
April 29, 2020
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
April 28, 2020
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Alerts: Employment Law
EEOC Permits Employers to Test for COVID-19
This week, as parts of the nation began returning to work, the EEOC responded to an increasingly urgent question: May employers test employees for COVID-19? Read more.
April 27, 2020
In the Press
Ryan Hurst, Kristen Schaal Cast in Hulu’s ‘Mysterious Benedict Society’
The News Trace mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to MaameYaa Boafo who is cast in Hulu’s upcoming collection adaptation of “The Mysterious Benedict Society.” View Article
April 27, 2020
In the Press
Encantos Launches New Fellowship Program to Discover the Next Generation of Underrepresented Talent
StreetInsider.com mentions Lisa E. Davis as one of the mentors in the Encantos Fellowship program. View Article
April 27, 2020
In the Press
Meryl Poster Options Allison Winn Scotch’s Novel ‘Time Of My Life’ Under Sony Deal
Deadline mentions Victoria Cook as counsel to producer Meryl Poster who optioned the rights to the novel "Time of My Life” under a new deal at Columbia Pictures which Victoria negotiated. View Article
April 27, 2020
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Alerts
PPP Loan Program Updates: Additional Funding and Additional Guidance
The Frankfurt Kurnit Corporate Group has been tracking developments in the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”), adopted as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). In this alert we highlight some key developments since our last update. Read more.
April 27, 2020
Alerts: Sports Law: In the Press: Quoted
As Facetime Photoshoots Find Favor in Fashion, What Does That Mean for Authorship and Ownership?
The Fashion Law quotes Jeremy S. Goldman on authorship and ownership questions surrounding the rise of FaceTime and Zoom photoshoots. View Article
April 26, 2020
In the Press: Praise
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.
April 24, 2020
In the Press: Quoted
Pierce Bainbridge Funder Targets Ex-Partners In Debt Chase
Law360 quotes Ronald C. Minkoff about a funders’ purported lien on Pierce Bainbridge assets. (Behind paywall) View Article
April 23, 2020
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In the Press: Quoted
Pandemic Pastime: Playing Esports Against Strangers, With Cash at Stake
The Wall Street Journal quotes Sean Kane on the legality of betting on one’s ability to win at competitive videogames. View Article
April 22, 2020
In the Press: Quoted
Online Retailer Fashion Nova Settles With FTC Over Refunds, Shipping Delays
MediaPost Raw quotes Jeffrey A. Greenbaum on the FTC’s recent complaint against online retailer Fashion Nova over their failure to properly refund customers. Mr. Greenbaum notes this case is a warning to other online retailers. View Article
April 21, 2020
In the Press: Quoted
Michigan Should Revoke Restrictions On Ads By Big-Box Retailers, Industry Argues
MediaPost quotes Jeffrey A. Greenbaum on the Michigan Governor’s order restricting advertisements. View Article
April 17, 2020
In the Press
In Case You Missed It: Hottest Firms and Stories on Law360
Law360 lists Ronald C. Minkoff’s article “Judicial Shaming of Attorneys is Troubling Even During Pandemic” as one of the top 10 most read expert analyses. (Behind Paywall) View Article
April 13, 2020
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Alerts
IRS Provides Further Coronavirus-Related Tax Relief
Individuals or corporations that have quarterly estimated tax payments due between April 1 and July 15, 2020 can wait until July 15 to make that payment without penalty. Read more.
April 9, 2020
