Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz

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 fifteen 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 (Band 1) 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), the New York Television Festival Executive Board, 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). 

Mr. Hofstetter retired as a partner in the firm at the end of 2021. He is admitted to practice in New York.