Dorian Slater Thomas

Dorian Slater Thomas practices in the firm’s Interactive Entertainment Group and Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations Group, where he handles a wide range of transactional work for prominent agencies, brands, platforms, developers, publishers, and individual creative talent.

The National Law Journal’s 2022 Trailblazers list included him for Sports/Gaming/Entertainment Law and Variety included him as an “Up Next” honoree in their 2022 Legal Impact Report. The Legal 500 listed him as a “Rising Star” in Advertising and Marketing for 2021 and Best Lawyers in America recognized him in the 2024-2025 “Ones to Watch” editions for Entertainment and Sports Law and Intellectual Property Law.

Mr. Thomas has experience advising some of the world’s best-known gaming and technology companies, including developers and publishers, in the interactive entertainment industry. He has negotiated and drafted development/publishing agreements, licensing agreements, software (SasS) agreements, and operational agreements across various digital media platforms.

Mr. Thomas also negotiates and drafts advertising and marketing services agreements, whether in the interactive entertainment industry or otherwise. He regularly handles creative services agreements, talent, spokesperson, endorsement and influencer agreements, sponsorship and promotion agreements, branded entertainment agreements, agency and management agreements, production agreements, license agreements and releases.

Mr. Thomas also advises clients on a variety of development, advertising, marketing and intellectual property law matters — including copy and content review, network clearance, social media guidelines, copyright issues, and right of publicity issues. In addition, he has experience with privacy and data security matters, including negotiating and drafting privacy and data security practices and policies.

Mr. Thomas is an active member of the Frankfurt Kurnit Diversity Committee and co-chair of the Frankfurt LGBTQ+ Affinity Group. He is a consistent supporter of Lambda Legal and related causes advocating for the LGBTQ+ community. Mr. Thomas is a seasoned traveler of Central and South America both in a professional and personal capacity, including attending and speaking at numerous events and conferences in LATAM related to his practice. He is admitted to practice in California and New York.

awards & recognition

Best Lawyers in America "Ones to Watch" for Entertainment and Sports Law and Intellectual Property Law (2024-2025)

The National Law Journal’s Trailblazers in Sports/Gaming/Entertainment Law (2022)

Variety's Legal Impact Report "Up Next" honoree 2022

The Legal 500 "Rising Star" in Advertising and Marketing (2021)

education

Tulane University Law School (J.D., 2013) 

University of Colorado at Boulder (B.A., 2008)

Upcoming Speaking Engagements

Past Speaking Engagements

The Influencers - Representing a New Generation of Celebrity

Emma C. Smizer and Dorian Slater Thomas are speakers during the session, "The Influencers - Representing a New Generation of Celebrity" hosted by AMEC, Sheppard Mullin, and Frankfurt Kurnit. Register here.

May 20 2024

On Tour II: Games Industry Law Summit 2024

Gregory Boyd, Sean F. Kane, Emma C. Smizer, and Dorian Slater Thomas are speakers at the On Tour II: Games Industry Law Summit 2024 in Limassol. Details here.

April 17 2024

Talent & Licensing In Games

Dorian Slater Thomas moderates the "Talent & Licensing In Games" panel at Frankfurt Kurnit's How to Play the Game CLE program during the 2024 Game Developer's Conference.

March 19 2024

Panel: Consumer Protection

Dorian Slater Thomas is a panelist during the session, "Consumer Protection" at the More Than Just a Game Conference taking place at Stanford Law School. Details here.

March 1 2024

The Ins and Outs of Working with Celebrities, Athletes & Influencers

Dorian Slater Thomas presents, "The Ins and Outs of Working with Celebrities, Athletes & Influencers" during a Video Game Bar Association (VGBA) webinar. Read more.

January 24 2024

2023 ANA Masters of Advertising Law Conference

Dorian Slater Thomas and Matthew Vittone present, “Contractual Provisions of 2023” at the ANA Masters of Advertising Law Conference.

November 17 2023

Games Industry Law Summit Unpacked 2023

Frances Jensen and Dorian Slater Thomas are panelists during the “Legal Dashboard” session at the Games Industry Law Summit Unpacked in Warsaw. Details here

May 11 2023

Key Issues for Developers

Dorian Slater Thomas, Michael Ling, and Lee Silver are speakers during the “Key Issues for Developers” panel during Frankfurt Kurnit’s The Legal Side of Video Games event in San Francisco.

March 23 2023

Current Trends in Intellectual Property and Advertising Law

Jeffrey A. Greenbaum, Brian G. Murphy, and Dorian Slater Thomas present at the conference, “Current Trends in Intellectual Property and Advertising Law” in Mexico City, sponsored by the Global Advertising Lawyers Alliance.

March 9 2023

Get Your Game on Los Angeles 2022

Dorian Slater Thomas is a speaker during the Casting in Video Games Panel at Get Your Game on Los Angeles hosted by the VoiceOver Network.

November 4 2022

VGBA Summit Northwest | Future of Gaming: Metaverse, Web3, AI and/or NFTs

Dorian Slater Thomas moderates, “Future of Gaming: Metaverse, Web3, AI and/or NFTs” during a panel at the Video Game Bar Association Summit in Seattle. Read more.

October 18 2022

San Diego Comic-Con 2022

Dorian Slater Thomas presents, "Ask an Attorney: A Legal Q&A for Streamers, Content Creators and eSports Players" during San Diego Comic-Con. Read more.

July 24 2022

1st Scientific Meeting of ABPI Study Committees

Dorian Slater Thomas speaks during the Brazilian Intellectual Property Association’s (ABPI) Online Games Study Committee Panel,"Intellectual Property in Video Games and Metaverse Platforms." Read more.

June 21 2022

ASIPI Seminar 2022

Dorian Slater Thomas speaks on the panel, “Asset Monetization in the Metaverse ” during the Inter-American Association of Intellectual Property seminar in Costa Rica. Read more.

June 6 2022

Maryland State Bar Association Legal Summit

Dorian Slater Thomas is a panelist for the session, “Ready Lawyer One?: IP in the age of the Metaverse” during the Maryland State Bar Association’s Legal Summit. Read more.

June 3 2022

Ask an Attorney: A Legal Resource for Game Developers

Dorian Slater Thomas presents, "Ask an Attorney: A Legal Resource for Game Developers" a workshop geared toward game developers. Read more.

March 24 2022

IP Licensing and the Metaverse: Practical Considerations and Key Provisions for Agreement

Dorian Slater Thomas is panelist during Strafford’s webinar, “IP Licensing and the Metaverse: Practical Considerations and Key Provisions for Agreements.” More information here.

December 7 2021

Frankfurt Kurnit’s Virtual Sixth Annual Advertising Law Summit

We fill your screen with thought leaders from the FTC, NAD, SAG-AFTRA and our own ranks to tackle the most challenging legal and business issues facing advertisers today. Read more.

June 24 2021

ABA Panel: Recent Tattoo and Video Game Cases

Dorian Slater Thomas is a panelist during the ABA’s Visual Arts & Dramatic Works Committee and Digital Games & New Media Committee’s presentation on Recent Tattoo and Video Game Cases.

November 5 2020

ICYMI…

Candice Kersh, Gregory Boyd, Matthew Vittone, Dorian Slater Thomas and Jordyn Eisenpress present “ICYMI…” during Frankfurt Kurnit’s Fourth Annual Advertising Law Summit at the Kimpton Hotel Eventi in New York.

June 10 2019

Be the Change: Frankfurt Kurnit’s Third Annual Advertising Law Summit

Changes in advertising law are inevitable. The changes come from regulators and self-regulators. They come from privacy and data security czars. They come from the courts. And they come from technology providers and platforms. Read more.

June 7 2018

news & press

The Best Lawyers in America 2025

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

Online Advertising and Marketing: Overview (US)

Thomson Reuters Practical Law published Terri Seligman, Hannah Taylor, Dorian Slater Thomas, and Daniel Goldberg’s Practice Note, “Online Advertising and Marketing: Overview (US).” View Article

The Best Lawyers in America 2024

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

Legal Pitfalls To Watch For When Advertising Psychedelics

Dorian Slater Thomas wrote the expert analysis column, “Legal Pitfalls To Watch For When Advertising Psychedelics” published in Law360. View Article

Inside the Inspired Podcast

Dorian Slater Thomas is a guest on Inside the Inspired podcast. Dorian discusses legal challenges in influencing, gaming, and networking. Listen here.

GRWM: Everything You Need to Know About the Growing World of Online Influencers and the Opportunities it Presents for Lawyers

Chambers Associate interviews Dorian Slater Thomas on the growing influencer market and what the rise has meant for lawyers representing influencer talent. Read more.

RIP: The Traditional SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract 

Shoot Online published Dorian Slater Thomas’s article, “RIP: The Traditional SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract.” View Article

The National Law Journal’s Trailblazers in Sports/Gaming/Entertainment Law 2022

S. Gregory Boyd, Sean F. Kane, Frances Jensen, and Dorian Slater Thomas are named to The National Law Journal’s Trailblazers in Sports/Gaming/Entertainment Law list. View Article

Variety’s Legal Impact Report 2022: Top Attorneys Winning Cases and Making Deals

Variety’s Legal Impact Report 2022 includes Marcie Cleary, Andrew Hurwitz, and Sasha Levites. Dorian Slater Thomas is included as an “Up Next” honoree. 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.

A Deeper Dive into the New SAG-AFTRA Influencer Waiver and Influencer Agreement

Extreme Reach features Brian Murphy and Dorian Slater Thomas’ blog post, “A Deeper Dive into the New SAG-AFTRA Influencer Waiver and Influencer Agreement.” View Article

SAG-AFTRA New Influencer Agreement

Extreme Reach features Dorian Slater Thomas’ blog post, "SAG-AFTRA New Influencer Agreement." View Article

Level Up: 33 Legal Tips for Game Developers and Publishers

2020 was a year of monumental change everywhere – including in the interactive entertainment world. As live events went online, more people gathered in front of screens to play, connect and consume than ever before. Developers and publishers responded with new technologies, platforms, devices, games and services. 2020 saw many game-changing legal developments – developments that will continue to affect the industry in 2021. Read more.

Interactive Entertainment Alert

In recent years the video game industry has been the subject of several lawsuit trends, including suits related to dance moves within video games and suits related to tattoos on persons depicted in video games. Two recent victories for game publishers have altered the risk calculus for use of third-party intellectual property. Read more.

The Ella Project’s Where Are They Now: Dorian Slater Thomas

The Ella Project features Dorian Slater Thomas in their "where are they now?" section. Mr. Thomas volunteered with The Ella Project in 2013. The Ella Project offers pro bono legal assistance for low to moderate income artists, musicians, and grass roots nonprofits in Louisiana.

Frankfurt Kurnit Discusses Diet Coke Suit Ruling

NewsRoom covered Dorian Slater Thomas’ passle blog post about false advertising claims faced by the Coca-Cola Company over their Diet Coke drink. View Article

“Made in the U.S.A.” Claims Continue to be Scrutinized

In 2016, California amended Section 17533.7 of the California Business and Professions Code ("Section 17533"), liberalizing the standard for selling products labeled "Made in U.S.A" to California consumers. Read more.

FTC Issues a $2 Million Reminder to Ad Agencies

The Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") and the State of Maine have announced a $2 million dollar settlement with ad agency Marketing Architects, Inc. ("MAI") for deceptive weight-loss claims. Read more.