Richard Hofstetter

Richard Hofstetter is Counsel in the firm's Entertainment Group. With over 40 years experience as a lawyer for the development, production, and exploitation of intellectual property in all media, and its licensing and merchandising, he offers legal expertise combined with a sound understanding of the business realities that impact entertainment clients and matters.

Mr. Hofstetter's practice has particular emphasis in television media. He has represented producers and production companies, performers, writers, and creative talent for dramatic and nonfiction programs, news, and sports. He has represented major distribution companies and television networks (both domestic and international), as well as executives in television and other media. His expertise encompasses all aspects of the television industry, including programming for distribution for network television, syndication, cable, digital/streaming platforms, public television, animation, children's programming, format sales, international production and distribution, and advertiser and brand integration in the production, broadcast, and promotion of programming.

Mr. Hofstetter has been listed in Best Lawyers in America for seventeen years and was recognized as the ‘Lawyer of the Year’ in 2018 for his work in Entertainment Law. New York Magazine has named him one of the “Best Lawyers in America” in Entertainment Law. He is also listed as a top-rated (Senior Statespeople) lawyer in media and entertainment by Chambers USA, recognized by The Legal 500 as a leading media and entertainment lawyer and a “Super Lawyer” in the field of entertainment and sports by Super Lawyers magazine.  

Mr. Hofstetter served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at New York University. He is counsel to the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and is a member of the International Radio and Television Society, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), and the American Bar Association (Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law, Entertainment and Sports Industries Forum Committee). He serves on the boards of non-profit organizations C-CAP (Careers through Culinary Arts Program), Comic Relief USA, The International Television Academy, and INCLUDEnyc (formerly Resources for Children with Special Needs). 

He is admitted to practice in New York. 

awards & recognition

2018 Entertainment Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers 

Best Lawyers in America for Entertainment Law 

"Best Lawyers in America" in Entertainment Law by New York Magazine

Chambers USA America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (Media and Entertainment)

Recognized by The Legal 500 as a leading media and entertainment lawyer

New York-area "Super Lawyer" in the field of entertainment and sports

education

Rutgers University School of Law (J.D., 1979)

-Editor of the Law Review

Clark University (B.A., 1974)

Upcoming Speaking Engagements

Past Speaking Engagements

New York Television Festival 2018

Richard Hofstetter and Marcie Cleary present Navigating Your First Deal, a legal Q&A session, at the New York Television Festival beginning at 2PM at the Helen Mills Theater

July 19 2018

New York Television Festival 2017

Richard Hofstetter, Julie Murray and Marcie Cleary present a Legal Q&A Session at the New York Television Festival beginning at 10AM at the Helen Mills Theater.

October 24 2017

NYWIFT Power Player Breakfast: Amy Entelis

We host another Power Player Breakfast presented by New York Women in Film and Television. This event features Amy Entelis, EVP Talent and Content Development at CNN. Richard Hofstetter introduces the guest speaker. 

April 6 2017

NYTVF: Decoding Your First Deal

Richard Hofstetter speaks at the New York Television Festival on "Decoding Your Deal."

October 26 2016

Cocktails with the Closers

Richard Hofstetter presents "Cocktails with the Closers" at the Helen Mills Theater as part of The New York Television Festival. 

October 22 2015

Ask the Expert Roundtable

Richard Hofstetter hosts an Ask the Expert roundtable on television format rights during NYC Television Week's The Content Show at the Affinia Hotel November 13th beginning at 11:30AM.

November 12 2014

Richard Hofstetter at Televisual Factual Festival

Richard Hofstetter speaks at the Televisual Factual Festival at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts in London.

November 6 2013

Lockouts, Labor and Emerging Legal Issues in the Sports and Entertainment Industries

Richard Hofstetter speaks on "Lockouts, Labor and Emerging Legal Issues in the Sports and Entertainment Industries" at Rutgers Law School.

April 20 2011

Richard Hofstetter Presents at the Media Forum Westphalia

Richard Hofstetter presents a keynote speech at the 22nd Transatlantic Dialogue during the Media Forum Westphalia in Cologne Germany, one of Europe's most important media conferences, on "Contractual Relations Between TV Producers and Program Providers in the US".

June 30 2010

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.

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.

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.

Frankfurt Kurnit Advises Medstar in Sale of Forensic Files True Crime Television Catalog

Content Partners, LLC, a leading independent owner of major studio-distributed films and television shows, has acquired from Medstar Television 400 Forensic Files episodes, and international distribution rights to Forensic Files II. Created by Paul Dowling, the President and CEO of Frankfurt Kurnit client Medstar Television, Forensic Files is a pioneer of true crime television. The series aired from 1996—2011 on TLC, and is currently on CNN-owned HLN network, streamed on digital platforms by FilmRise, and distributed to television outlets around the world. Read more.

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.

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 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.

Former ABC News President James Goldston Inks Deal With Kapital Entertainment For Scripted & Docuseries; ‘Kushner, Inc’ Among First Projects

Deadline mentions Lee Goldberg and Richard Hofstetter as counsel to James Goldston. View Article

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.

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 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.

Austyn Biggers Appointed to Comic Relief US Board of Directors  

StreetInsider mentions Richard Hofstetter as one of the Comic Relief US Board Members. View Article

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Best Lawyers in America 2018

Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" ranked Frankfurt Kurnit nationally in "Tier 1" in Advertising, Copyright, Entertainment - Motion Pictures and Television, and Trademark Law, "Tier 2" in Litigation - Intellectual Property, Media Law, and Trusts & Estates Law, and "Tier 3" in Commercial Litigation and Regulatory 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.

Frankfurt Kurnit Assists With ‘Fun-Raising’

The New York Law Journal spotlighted our role in the wonderful Red Nose Day initiative, which raises millions of dollars for children’s causes. (Article behind paywall) View Article

Thirty-four Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named “Super Lawyers” for 2016

Super Lawyers listed thirty-four Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 2016 edition. Read more.

The Best Lawyers in America 2017

In its 2017 edition, Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" ranked Frankfurt Kurnit nationally in "Tier 1" in Advertising, Copyright, Entertainment - Motion Pictures and Television, and Trademark Law, "Tier 2" in Litigation - Intellectual Property, Media Law, and Trusts & Estates Law, and "Tier 3" in Commercial Litigation and Regulatory Enforcement Litigation. 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.

In the Spirit of ‘Fun-Raising’

The New York Law Journal published an article featuring Richard Hofstetter and Barbara E. Shiers and our support for our client Comic Relief (and their fundraising event Red Nose Day.) View Article

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

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

The Best Lawyers in America 2016

Best Lawyers recognized our firm and 17 of our attorneys in their 2016 list. Read more.

What AT&T’s Spat With Starz Says About Today’s Media Industry

Richard Hofstetter is quoted in The Street's article, "What AT&T's Spat With Starz Says About Today's Media Industry". View Article

Frankfurt Kurnit in Chambers 2015

For the eleventh consecutive year Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business recognized Frankfurt Kurnit. 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.

Best Lawyers 2015

Best Lawyers recognized our firm and 16 of our attorneys in their 2015 list.  Read more.

Frankfurt Kurnit in Chambers 2014

For the tenth consecutive year Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business recognized Frankfurt Kurnit. Read more.

Frankfurt Kurnit in “Best Lawyers 2014”

In its 2014 edition Best Lawyers ranked Frankfurt Kurnit in "Tier 1" in Advertising, Copyright, Entertainment, Trademark, and Trust & Estates Law, "Tier 2" in Litigation (IP) and Media Law, and "Tier 3" in Commercial Litigation and Regulatory Enforcement Litigation. 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.

Frankfurt Kurnit Top Ranked in Best Lawyers and Best Law Firms for 2013

Best Lawyers ranked Frankfurt Kurnit one of the "Best Law Firms" of 2013. Read more.

Richard Hofstetter Quoted in New York Post

The New York Post quoted Richard Hofstetter on a dispute between Frankfurt Kurnit client, Anthony Bourdain, and the Travel Channel. View Article

Frankfurt Kurnit Law Firm Adds New Entertainment Partner and Counsel

Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz, PC added Andrew Hurwitz as a partner, and Alan Sacks as counsel, to its Entertainment Group. Mr. Hurwitz and Mr. Sacks formally joined the firm today. Read more.

Eleven Frankfurt Kurnit Lawyers Appear in New York Magazine’s List of the “Best”

New York Magazine named eleven Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz attorney's to its 2012 "New York Area's Best Lawyers" list. 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.

Frankfurt Kurnit in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers For Business 2011

For the seventh consecutive year Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business recognized Frankfurt Kurnit. Read more.

Richard Hofstetter Featured in Bisnow

Bisnow interviewed Richard Hofstetter on his experiences as an entertainment lawyer and for his views on current hot trends such as branded entertainment and reality television.

Frankfurt Kurnit in Best Lawyers 2010

Best Lawyers ranked Frankfurt Kurnit in its 2010 edition. Read more.

Richard Hofstetter Quoted in TV Guide Magazine

TV Guide Magazine quoted Richard Hofstetter on Conan O'Brien's departure from NBC.