Praise

April 29th, 2019

Frankfurt Kurnit in Chambers 2019

For the fifteenth 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.

On our Advertising practice: What the team is known for: “Highly respected team with a strong bench of experts in both regulatory and transactional matters. Acts for a large number of blue-chip brands, advising on the development of new promotional ventures and ensuring regulatory compliance. Draws advertising agencies and big media clients through its ability to negotiate high-value deals. Also offers expertise in relation to social media and native advertising.”

Strengths (Quotes from clients): "They are very responsive and extremely accessible. They understand our risk appetite and are happy to give clear, practical advice."

"The client service is really strong and the firm does a great job with the amount of subject matter experts it has," further adding: "I think very highly of the firm - it is outstanding."

One source describes the team as "excellent attorneys" and adds: "They are sophisticated and smart."

Significant clients: Represented Epic Games, the creator of the video game Fortnite, on a wide range of issues, including its influencer program, the use of its content for television commercials and brand integrations.

Notable practitioners:

Brian Murphy handles a wide range of advertising matters on behalf of prominent advertising agencies, brands and entertainment companies. He is especially well regarded for his knowledge of SAG-AFTRA. Interviewees say: "He is creative, thoughtful and uber smart on the brand and agency sides."

Candice Kersh has significant transactional expertise and is well regarded for her representation of major creative agencies. Clients say: "She is a great attorney - she is really able to drill down on the main issues and get resolutions."

Hannah Taylor is developing a reputation as "a really great advertising lawyer." She provides advertising compliance advice to an array of businesses, including large supermarkets and online retail platforms. Clients say: "She is incredibly responsive, really dedicated and knowledgeable."

Jeffrey Greenbaum is a seasoned advertising partner whose expertise includes regulatory matters, rights clearance and agency-client contracts. He often represents advertising agencies, media clients and brands before regulatory bodies including the FTC and state attorneys general. Clients appreciate that "he is very pragmatic, client-focused and creative." One-source notes: "He is incredibly responsive and offers quick, concise work."

Co-chair of the firm's advertising, marketing and public relations group Rick Kurnit has considerable experience of corporate transactions and other contractual and intellectual property matters in the advertising space. He has a strong track record of representing major brands, advertising agencies and other media groups.

The "terrific" Terri Seligman offers strong expertise in advertising matters. She is described by one source as "very pragmatic and thoughtful," while another notes: "She has really, really good industry knowledge within the marketing and advertising space, and she provides really practical and hands-on advice." She regularly counsels clients in complex regulatory matters, and is especially well regarded for her experience handling matters before the NAD.

On our Media and Entertainment practice: What the team is known for: Top-notch entertainment practice catering to individual talent, entertainment companies, financiers and other investors. Offers deep expertise in content licensing, distribution, financing and talent agreements. Demonstrates skills in transactional work involving film, theater and television content, as well as publishing, video games and fashion.

Strengths (Quotes from clients): "They are incredibly responsive, very calm under pressure and very collaborative within their organization."

Sources also appreciate that the firm is "strong in contract negotiations" and "skilled in getting results for their clients."

The firm also receives praise for the "high quality of work," with clients noting "it is more efficient and knowledgeable than most in the space."

Significant Clients: Represented Aaron Sorkin in negotiations for his Broadway adaptation of 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.

Notable practitioners:

Mark Merriman is a distinguished entertainment attorney with a strong track record of negotiating on behalf of prominent clients in the theater industry. According to market commentators, "he is knowledgeable, experienced and really excellent to work with."

Co-chair of the firm's entertainment group Richard Heller has significant expertise working with clients in the film and television industry, including talent. Sources say: "He is super smart, and always very thoughtful and cerebral in his approach."

The "terrific" Richard Hofstetter is highly regarded for his handling of transactions in the television space. He represents individual talent and media companies. Interviewees describe him as "extremely pragmatic and business-savvy."

On our Intellectual Property practice: What the team is known for: Well-regarded trademark and copyright specialists with wide-ranging experience representing clients in the fashion, entertainment and media spaces. Regularly engaged to advise high-profile clients on brand management, and IP issues relating to commercial transactions and litigation. Displays additional expertise advising game developers and distributors on trademark and copyright issues.

Strengths (Quotes from clients): "They are extremely responsive, really good on tight deadlines and also really detail-oriented."

Work highlights: Defended Scholastic against copyright and trade dress infringement claims brought by Guinness World Records regarding the publication of the client's 'Book of World Records 2018.'

Catherine Farrelly is a trademark specialist who draws on significant experience advising multinational clients on complex portfolio development, enforcement and licensing matters. One client lauds: "She is intelligent, practical and responsive. She always gives a straight answer to a direct question and her advice is well reasoned and insightful."

Edward Rosenthal chairs the firm's IP practice and enjoys a strong reputation as a "very knowledgeable, intellectual lawyer," according to market sources. He is well versed across an array of copyright, trademark and false advertising disputes. He is also highlighted for his significant expertise in publishing matters.

Chambers also praised Joseph Taylor and Maura Wogan in Media and Entertainment: Litigation.