Michael R. Williams

Michael R. Williams is a partner and Chair of the firm’s Fashion Group and Co-Chair of the Celebrity Branding Group.

Mr. Williams’ clients include major television and motion picture actors, leading fashion designers, top models, fashion show production companies, photographers and executives in the entertainment and fashion industries.

Mr. Williams represents actors in the negotiation of deals to perform in film, television, theater and other media. He also works to assist clients in capitalizing on their name, fame, likeness, and other rights in all media. He negotiates and structures profitable merchandising, licensing, endorsement and spokesperson agreements, and counsels clients on the development of their own celebrity-branded product lines.  

Mr. Williams has extensive experience working with fashion brands and individuals with regards to the creation, protection and, licensing of their intellectual property and trademarks. He also advises clients regarding corporate structuring and employment matters.

Best Lawyers in America has recognized Mr. Williams as a top entertainment lawyer for several years and The Hollywood Reporter included him in its 2024, 2023 and 2020 “Power Lawyers” lists of the top 25 entertainment lawyers in New York. Super Lawyers and The Legal 500 consistently recognizes Mr. Williams for his entertainment law expertise. In the past, he was also included in Variety’s “Dealmaker’s Impact Report.” 

Mr. Williams is a member of the New York State and American Bar Associations. He is admitted to practice in New York. 

awards & recognition

Best Lawyers in America for Entertainment (2020-2025)

The Hollywood Reporter's Power Lawyers 2024: New York's Top 25 Entertainment Attorneys

The Hollywood Reporter’s Power Lawyers 2023: New York's Top 25 Entertainment Attorneys 

The Hollywood Reporter’s Power Lawyers 2020: New York's Top 20 Entertainment Attorneys

Listed among the country's leading media and entertainment lawyers by The Legal 500

The Legal 500 "Recommended Lawyers" for Entertainment 

New York-area Super Lawyer for Entertainment & Sports, Intellectual Property, Business/Corporate

Variety "Dealmaker's Impact Report" (2010)

education

Albany School of Law (J.D., cum laude)

Fairfield University (B.S.)

Upcoming Speaking Engagements

Past Speaking Engagements

RAISEfashion Brand Fellowship Program

Marcie Cleary and Michael Williams are speakers for a Masterclass during the 2024 RAISEfashion Brand Fellowship Program. Details here.

June 18 2024

Fashion and Retail Law 2018: Trends and Developments

Michael Williams presents “Runway Ready: Legal Concerns in Planning a Fashion Show” at the Fashion and Retail Law 2018: Trends and Developments program in New York. 

May 1 2018

CLE Presentation and Meeting of the Cardozo Alumni Fashion Law Practice Group

Marcie Cleary and Michael William’s present “Contracts on the Catwalk: Legal Issues In Today’s Fashion Shows” during the Cardozo Alumni Fashion Law Practice Group’s November event. 

November 14 2017

Michael Williams at Harvard Law School

Michael R. Williams speaks at Harvard Law School about what it is like to represent talent in the fashion and entertainment industries.

November 20 2014

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.

THR’s Power Lawyers 2024: New York’s Top 25 Entertainment Attorneys

The Hollywood Reporter includes Marcie Cleary, Lisa E. Davis, and Michael Williams in its "Power Lawyers" list of the top 25 entertainment attorneys in New York for 2024.

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.

THR’s Power Lawyers 2023: New York’s Top 25 Entertainment Attorneys

The Hollywood Reporter includes Marcie Cleary, Lisa E. Davis, and Michael Williams in its Power Lawyers list of the top 25 entertainment attorneys in New York for 2023. View Article

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 Represents Prodject LLC in its Sale to The Independents Group, Inc.

New York-based Prodject LLC (“Prodject”), the renowned creative agency specializing in brand strategy, design and execution for events and content in fashion, music, art, and popular culture, was acquired by The Independents Group, Inc., a global marketing and communications company. 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 The Legal 500 2022

The Legal 500 once again praises Frankfurt Kurnit practice groups and attorneys in the 2022 edition of their United States guide. Read more.

Oakes Fegley Signs With Verve

Deadline mentions Michael Williams as counsel to actor Oakes Fegley who signed with Verve. 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.

Frankfurt Kurnit in The Legal 500 2021

The Legal 500 praises three of our practice groups: Advertising & Marketing; Entertainment; and Privacy & Data Security. The London-based directory spotlighted fifteen of our attorneys individually: Lisa E. Davis, Daniel Goldberg, Richard Heller, Andrew Hurwitz, Candice Kersh, and Michael Williams. Julie Murray is listed as a “Next Generation Partner” in Entertainment. Christopher R. Chase, Jeffrey A. Greenbaum, Brian G. Murphy and Terri Seligman are listed as “Leading Lawyers” in Advertising. Dorian Slater Thomas and Matthew Vittone are listed as a “Rising Stars” in Advertising. Rick Kurnit is in the “Hall of Fame” for Advertising.

Power Lawyers 2020: New York’s Top 20 Entertainment Attorneys

The Hollywood Reporter includes Lisa E. Davis and Michael Williams in its Power Lawyers list of the top entertainment attorneys in New York. 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.

Thirty-three Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named “Super Lawyers” for 2015

Super Lawyers listed thirty-three Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 2015 edition. 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.

Legal Requirements for Working with Child Models

On October 21, New York State passed a new child labor law. This law adds print and runway models under the age of 18 to the definition of "child performers" protected by the New York Labor Law.  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.

Variety’s Dealmakers Impact Report 2010

Amy Nickin and Michael Williams were listed in Variety's Dealmakers Impact Report for 2010 as "Future Media Mavens." View Article