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.
Best Lawyers in America recognized him in the 2024-2026 “Ones to Watch” editions for Entertainment and Sports Law and Intellectual Property Law. 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 its 2022 Legal Impact Report. The Legal 500 listed him as a “Rising Star” in Advertising & Marketing for 2021.
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.
Areas of Expertise
Recent Recognition
Best Lawyers in America “Ones to Watch” for Entertainment and Sports Law and Intellectual Property Law (2024-2026)
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)
Contact
- P 212.705.4827
- F 347.438.2155
- dthomas@fkks.com
Events
Tulane University Entertainment and Sports Law Conference
04.10.26
Victoria Cook and Dorian Slater Thomas speak at Tulane University's Entertainment and Sports Law Conference in April. This annual event brings together many of the most influential lawyers and executives in the entertainment and sports industries to discuss the dynamic changes reshaping sports, media, and entertainment. More information here.
Alternative Business Models in Games and Digital Media
11.07.25
Dorian Slater Thomas presents on a panel "Alternative Business Models in Games and Digital Media" at the UCLA School of Law Digital Media & Video Game Conference presented by the Ziffren Institute, Institute for Technology, Law & Policy, and the ABA Forum on the Entertainment & Sports Industries. Registration and additional information here.
Hot Topics in Talent Agreements
11.03.25
Matthew Vittone and Dorian Slater Thomas leads the roundtable discussion, "Hot Topics in Talent Agreements" during the 2025 ANA Masters of Advertising Law Conference in Chicago, IL. Details here.
More Than Just a Game Conference London 2025
05.08.25
Sean F. Kane and Dorian Slater Thomas chair and speak at the 10th annual More Than Just a Game Conference in London. Details here.
Demystifying Dealmaking in the Entertainment Industry
05.07.25
Dorian Slater Thomas is a speaker for the session "Demystifying Dealmaking in the Entertainment Industry" hosted by Westerberg & Partners in Stockholm, Sweden.
Games Meet Hollywood: Entertainment Deals in the Games Industry
04.07.25
Dorian Slater Thomas presents "Games Meet Hollywood: Entertainment Deals in the Games Industry" at Queen Mary University of London, at the Centre for Commercial Law Studies. Details here.
Unscripted: Demystifying Dealmaking in the Entertainment Industry XC
04.04.25
Dorian Slater Thomas and Emma C. Smizer co-lead the session “Unscripted: Demystifying Dealmaking in the Entertainment Industry XC,” at the Games Industry Law Summit on Tour III in Rome, Italy. Details here.
Advertising Law Updates for 2025
03.25.25
Dorian Slater Thomas, Zachary A. Lewis, and Andrew Folks present a CLE webinar, "Advertising Law Updates for 2025," hosted by the Beverly Hills Bar Association.
Transmedia Issues in Video Games, Movies and TV
03.19.25
Emma C. Smizer moderates, and Dorian Slater Thomas is a panelist in the session, “And the Award Goes to ,,, Tetris!: How Transmedia Issues Are Influencing Video Games, Movies and TV” at Frankfurt Kurnit’s 2025 “How to Play the Game: Legal Developments in Games” CLE program at SFMOMA in San Francisco.
The Influencers – Representing a New Generation of Celebrity
05.20.24
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.
On Tour II: Games Industry Law Summit 2024
04.17.24
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.
Talent & Licensing In Games
03.19.24
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.
Panel: Consumer Protection
03.01.24
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.
2024 Advertising Law Summit
02.06.24
Frankfurt Kurnit hosts its 8th annual Advertising Law Summit on February 6, 2024, in New York, NY.
The Ins and Outs of Working with Celebrities, Athletes & Influencers
01.24.24
Dorian Slater Thomas presents, "The Ins and Outs of Working with Celebrities, Athletes & Influencers" during a Video Game Bar Association (VGBA) webinar.
2023 ANA Masters of Advertising Law Conference
11.17.23
Dorian Slater Thomas and Matthew Vittone present, “Contractual Provisions of 2023” at the ANA Masters of Advertising Law Conference.
Games Industry Law Summit Unpacked 2023
05.11.23
Frances Jensen and Dorian Slater Thomas are panelists during the “Legal Dashboard” session at the Games Industry Law Summit Unpacked in Warsaw. Details here
Key Issues for Developers
03.23.23
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.
Current Trends in Intellectual Property and Advertising Law
03.09.23
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.
Get Your Game on Los Angeles 2022
11.05.22
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.
VGBA Summit Northwest | Future of Gaming: Metaverse, Web3, AI and/or NFTs
10.18.22
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.
San Diego Comic-Con 2022
07.24.22
Dorian Slater Thomas presents, "Ask an Attorney: A Legal Q&A for Streamers, Content Creators and eSports Players" during San Diego Comic-Con.
1st Scientific Meeting of ABPI Study Committees
06.21.22
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."
ASIPI Seminar 2022
06.06.22
Dorian Slater Thomas speaks on the panel, “Asset Monetization in the Metaverse ” during the Inter-American Association of Intellectual Property seminar in Costa Rica.
Maryland State Bar Association Legal Summit
06.03.22
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.
Ask an Attorney: A Legal Resource for Game Developers
03.24.22
Dorian Slater Thomas presents, "Ask an Attorney: A Legal Resource for Game Developers" a workshop geared toward game developers.
IP Licensing and the Metaverse: Practical Considerations and Key Provisions for Agreement
12.07.21
Dorian Slater Thomas is panelist during Strafford’s webinar, “IP Licensing and the Metaverse: Practical Considerations and Key Provisions for Agreements.” More information here.
Frankfurt Kurnit’s Virtual Sixth Annual Advertising Law Summit
06.24.21
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.
ABA Panel: Recent Tattoo and Video Game Cases
11.05.20
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.
News
The Best Lawyers in America 2026
08.21.25
We are pleased to announce that Best Lawyers — the oldest and one of the most respected peer-reviewed lawyer recommendation services — continues to recommend Frankfurt Kurnit. 56 Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys are recognized in the 2026 edition.
The Best Lawyers in America 2025
08.15.24
Best Lawyers in America recognizes 48 Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in the 2025 edition.
Online Advertising and Marketing: Overview (US)
09.26.23
Thomson Reuters Practical Law published Terri Seligman, Hannah Taylor, Dorian Slater Thomas, and Daniel Goldberg’s Practice Note, “Online Advertising and Marketing: Overview (US).”
The Best Lawyers in America 2024
08.17.23
Best Lawyers in America recognizes 44 Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in the 2024 edition.
Legal Pitfalls To Watch For When Advertising Psychedelics
06.02.23
Dorian Slater Thomas wrote the expert analysis column, “Legal Pitfalls To Watch For When Advertising Psychedelics” published in Law360.
Inside the Inspired Podcast
05.24.23
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
02.27.23
Chambers Associate interviews Dorian Slater Thomas on the growing influencer market and what the rise has meant for lawyers representing influencer talent.
RIP: The Traditional SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract
12.15.22
Shoot Online published Dorian Slater Thomas’s article, “RIP: The Traditional SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract.”
The National Law Journal’s Trailblazers in Sports/Gaming/Entertainment Law 2022
11.01.22
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.
Variety’s Legal Impact Report 2022: Top Attorneys Winning Cases and Making Deals
04.20.22
Variety’s Legal Impact Report 2022 includes Marcie Cleary, Andrew Hurwitz, and Sasha Levites. Dorian Slater Thomas is included as an “Up Next” honoree.
Frankfurt Kurnit in The Legal 500 2021
06.10.21
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
04.08.21
Extreme Reach features Brian Murphy and Dorian Slater Thomas’ blog post, “A Deeper Dive into the New SAG-AFTRA Influencer Waiver and Influencer Agreement.”
SAG-AFTRA New Influencer Agreement
02.23.21
Extreme Reach features Dorian Slater Thomas’ blog post, "SAG-AFTRA New Influencer Agreement."