Lisa E. Davis
Lisa E. Davis is a partner and Chair of the firm’s Entertainment Group.
She serves on the firm’s Policy Committee and is Co-Chair of the firm’s Diversity Committee. She represents businesses and celebrities in the film, television, publishing, music, theatre, and sports industries.
Ms. Davis has been ranked as a New York-area “Super Lawyer” since 2007 and was featured on the cover of Super Lawyers magazine in a piece on her career and advocacy for racial justice. She is recognized in Who’s Who Legal: Telecoms Media & Entertainment 2024, by Best Lawyers in America in the 2023-2026 editions for Entertainment Law, in the 2023-2025 editions of Chambers USA for Media & Entertainment: Theater, by The New York Law Journal as one of only seven 2022 Diversity Initiative honorees, Crain’s New York Business on their 2023 Notable Women in Law list and 2022 Notable Diverse Leaders in Law list, The Hollywood Reporter’s Power Lawyers 2025, 2024, 2023, 2021, and 2020 lists of New York’s Top 20 Entertainment Attorneys, Variety’s 2020 Legal Impact Report, by City & State as one of New York’s “Responsible 100” (2019), by the Black Entertainment & Sports Lawyers Association (2019 Beacon of Industry Award), by Crain’s New York Business 2017 as a “Leading Woman Lawyer in NYC,” by The National Law Journal (“Outstanding Women Lawyers” 2015), by Savoy magazine in their “Most Influential Black Lawyers of 2015,” and in Variety’s “Power of Women New York Impact Report” (2014). Additionally, she is listed among the country’s leading media and entertainment lawyers by The Legal 500.
Ms. Davis advises on a full range of transactional matters – focusing on film (both feature and documentary), television, publishing, live stage and branded entertainment. Ms. Davis represents directors, writers and performers in film and television, as well as playwrights and bloggers. In her sports practice, she represents top athletes in their “off the field” activities, including endorsements and investments.
Prior to joining Frankfurt Kurnit, she clerked for the Honorable Constance Baker Motley in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Ms. Davis is a graduate of Harvard University (B.A., 1981) and New York University (J.D., 1985), where she was a staff member of the New York University Law Review and a Root-Tilden scholar. She is admitted to practice in New York.
Areas of Expertise
Recent Recognition
The Hollywood Reporter’s Power Lawyers 2025: The Big Apple’s Biggest Attorneys
Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Global Entertainment, Sports & Media Lawyers (2025)
Variety’s 2024 Women’s Impact Report: New York
Who’s Who Legal: Telecoms Media & Entertainment 2024
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
Lawyers of Color: Law Firm Diversity Professionals 2023
Chambers USA 2023-2025 (Media & Entertainment: Theater)
The Legal 500 (Media & Entertainment: Transactional)
Crain’s New York Business: 2023 Notable Women in Law honoree
New York Law Journal 2022 Diversity Initiative honoree
Crain’s New York Business: 2022 Notable Diverse Leaders in Law honoree
Lawyers of Color: Law Firm Leaders 2022
The Hollywood Reporter’s Power Lawyers 2021 and 2020: New York’s Top 20 Entertainment Attorneys
Listed among the country’s leading media and entertainment lawyers by The Legal 500
Black Entertainment & Sports Lawyers Association – 2019 Beacon of Industry Award
City & State – 2019 “Responsible 100” Award
Best Lawyers in America – Entertainment Law and Theater Law
Crain’s New York Business – “Leading Woman Lawyer in NYC”
National Law Journal – Outstanding Women Lawyers
Super Lawyers – Entertainment & Sports and Intellectual Property
Savoy Magazine – Most Influential Black Lawyers of 2015
Variety’s Legal Impact Report
Variety’s Power of Women New York Impact List
“America’s Top Black Lawyers” and “Top 50 Black Power Brokers in Entertainment” by Black Enterprise magazine
Featured in “Attorneys at the Top” and “25 Influential Black Women in Business” in The Network Journal
“Woman of Power Award” from the National Urban League
Jacob K. Javits Achievement Award
Education
New York University School of Law (J.D.)
Harvard University (B.A.)
Contact
- P 212.826.5530
- F 347.438.2102
- ldavis@fkks.com
Events
Defending Documentaries / Defending Democracy
11.14.25
Lisa E. Davis moderates and Victoria Cook is a co-panelist for the panel "Defending Documentaries / Defending Democracy" at the DOC NYC Festival. The panel examines the renewed threats to press freedom and documentary filmmaking protections established by the landmark Supreme Court case New York Times v. Sullivan. More details here.
Sports and Entertainment Trends in 2024
10.02.24
Lisa E. Davis is a panelist for the session, "Sports & Entertainment Trends in 2024" at the Corporate Counsel Women of Color (CCWC) 20th Anniversary Career Strategies Conference.
Hitmakers Symposium
03.30.24
Lisa E. Davis is a panelist during the Hitmakers' Symposium, hosted by Harvard Law School and sponsored by Harvard Law School’s Recording Artists Project. Details here.
CCWC – Nineteenth Annual Career Strategies Conference
09.27.23
Lisa E. Davis speaks on a panel entitled, “Sports, Entertainment and Media Trends 2023,” with panelists from Apple+, Amazon, and Endeavor at the Corporate Counsel Women of Color’s Career Strategies Conference in Maryland. Details here.
CultureCon 2022
10.08.22
Lisa E. Davis is on the panel, “Protect Your Passions: Legal Advice for Creatives” during CultureCon in NYC.
JIPEL’s The Return of Broadway in the Age of Coronavirus
03.25.22
Lisa E. Davis and Mark Merriman are speakers during the session, "Profits vs Access: Intellectual Property Rights Issues in Broadway" at NYU's Journal of Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law’s annual symposium.
UConn Law’s BLSA
02.10.21
Lisa E. Davis is the guest speaker at UConn Law's Black Law Students Association (BLSA).
Theatre Producers of Color: Authors and Option Agreements
02.08.21
Lisa E. Davis is the guest speaker during the Theatre Producers of Color, "Authors and Option Agreements" program.
Mondo.NYC 2020
10.16.20
Lisa E. Davis moderates "Pivoting from Live to Virtual: Navigating the Legal Challenges" during the Mondo.NYC 2020 CLE Program: Business as Unusual.
WIF Black Member Forum: Entertainment Law 411
10.13.20
Lisa E. Davis speaks on the “Entertainment Law 411” panel during the Women in Film’s Black Member Forum.
BLACK GIRLS LEAD 2020
08.01.20
Lisa E. Davis participates on the panel "Boss Up: Becoming Business Minded" at the BLACK GIRLS LEAD 2020 virtual conference.
COVID-19 & the Entertainment Business: Survival Tips for Creatives (Part II)
04.29.20
Lisa E. Davis and Marcie Cleary speak during the Diverse Representation webinar "COVID-19 & the Entertainment Business: Survival Tips for Creatives (Part II)" focusing on questions from creatives about the current production landscape. Register here.
COVID-19 & The Entertainment Business: Survival Tips for Creatives
04.14.20
Lisa E. Davis and Marcie Cleary speak during the Diverse Representation webinar "COVID-19 & The Entertainment Business: Survival Tips for Creatives."
Lisa E. Davis at Howard University Law School
02.26.20
Lisa E. Davis speaks during a panel at the Bridge Lab screening and Lab event at Howard University Law School.
NYRR’s Women Voices Leadership Series
02.19.20
Lisa E. Davis speaks during the New York Road Runner’s Women Voices Leadership Series.
News
39 Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named to New York Metro Super Lawyers List for 2025
10.30.25
This list inlcudes: S. Gregory Boyd, Christopher Chase, Marcie Cleary, Victoria Cook, Lisa Davis, Caren Decter, Catherine Farrelly, Melissa Georges, /people/hayden-goldblatt/Hayden Goldblatt, Jeffery Greenbaum, John Harris, Richard Heller, Richard Hofstetter, Nicole Hyland, Sean Kane,Candice Kersh, Richard Maltz, Jeffrey Marks, Kimberly Maynard, Gavin McElroy, Mark Merriman, Ronald Minkoff, Brian Murphy, Edward Rosenthal, Terri Seligman, Barbara Shiers, Wendy Stryker, Hannah Taylor, Linda Wank, S. Jean Ward, Michael Williams, and Maura Wogan.
Additionally, Aaron Deitsch, Christina Jenkins, Jesse Klinger, Khasim Lockhart, Jordyn Milewski, Katelyn Patton, and Molly Rothschild are listed as Rising Stars.
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.
Frankfurt Kurnit in The Legal 500 2025
06.11.25
The Legal 500 recommends Frankfurt Kurnit practice groups and attorneys in its 2025 US edition.
THR’s Power Lawyers 2025: The Big Apple’s Biggest Attorneys
06.06.25
The Hollywood Reporter includes Lisa E. Davis, Victoria S. Cook, Sean Jefferson, and Sasha H. Levites—chosen based on the impact of their cases, the profiles of their clients and their reputation for success—in its New York “Power Lawyers” list for 2025.
Frankfurt Kurnit in Chambers USA 2025
06.05.25
For the 21st consecutive year, Chambers and Partners included Frankfurt Kurnit in its rankings of the country’s leading law firms and attorneys. Chambers recognized our Advertising, Entertainment, Intellectual Property, and Data Strategy, Privacy & Security practices. They listed 20 of our attorneys as industry leaders, and included for the first time Matthew Vittone as an “Up and Coming” attorney in Advertising: Transactional & Regulatory law.
Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named to New York Metro Super Lawyers List for 2024
10.24.24
Super Lawyers magazine lists 42 attorneys in its 2024 edition.
THR’s Power Lawyers 2024: New York’s Top 25 Entertainment Attorneys
09.19.24
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
08.15.24
Best Lawyers in America recognizes 48 Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in the 2025 edition.
Frankfurt Kurnit in The Legal 500 2024
06.24.24
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.
Frankfurt Kurnit in Chambers USA 2024
06.06.24
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.
Variety’s 2024 Women’s Impact Report: New York
04.30.24
Variety includes Marcie Cleary and Lisa E. Davis in its 2024 "Women's Impact Report: New York" list.
THR’s Power Lawyers 2023: New York’s Top 25 Entertainment Attorneys
09.27.23
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.
39 Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named to Super Lawyers New York Metro List for 2023
09.14.23
Super Lawyers magazine lists 39 Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 2023 NY-metro edition.
The Best Lawyers in America 2024
08.17.23
Best Lawyers in America recognizes 44 Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in the 2024 edition.
Lawyers of Color: Law Firm Diversity Professionals
07.24.23
Lawyers of Color included Lisa E. Davis, Khasim Lockhart, Terri Seligman, and Wendy Stryker as 2023 Law Firm Diversity Professionals. Law Firm Diversity Professionals is a comprehensive directory of diversity legal professionals and law firm BIPOC affinity group chairs/co-chairs. Diversity professionals recognized may be of any race or ethnic background.
Crain’s New York Business: 2023 Notable Women in Law
06.20.23
Crain’s New York Business includes entertainment partners Victoria Cook and Lisa E. Davis on their 2023 Notable Women in Law list.
Frankfurt Kurnit in The Legal 500 2023
06.07.23
The Legal 500 once again praises Frankfurt Kurnit practice groups and attorneys in the 2023 edition of their United States guide.
Frankfurt Kurnit in Chambers USA 2023
06.01.23
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.
Efforts to Erase African-American History is a Frontal Assault on Democracy
05.10.23
Lisa E. Davis wrote the opinion piece, "Efforts to erase African-American history is a frontal assault on democracy" published in NJ.com.
Lawyers of Color: Law Firm Leaders 2022
12.21.22
Lawyers of Color included Lisa E. Davis and Larry Welch as Law Firm Leaders. Law Firm Leaders is a comprehensive directory of minority law firm leaders who are either managing partners, executive committee members, or practice group heads.
Diversity Initiative: Lisa Davis and Terri Seligman
10.07.22
The New York Law Journal speaks with Lisa E. Davis and Terri Seligman on the challenges, inspirations, and their proudest accomplishments related to diversity and inclusion in law.
Thirty-four Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named to Super Lawyers New York Metro List for 2022
09.29.22
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.”
The Best Lawyers in America 2023
08.18.22
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.
New York Law Journal Announces Its 2022 Diversity Initiative Winners
08.12.22
The New York Law Journal includes Lisa E. Davis and Terri Seligman as two of only seven Diversity Initiative honorees for their contributions to progressing diversity and inclusion efforts in New York’s legal community.
Why Some Legal Chiefs Undersell Themselves During Pay Negotiations
08.04.22
Law.com quotes Lisa E. Davis on the influence of gender and race when legal chiefs negotiate their pay with employers.
Crain’s New York Business: 2022 Notable Diverse Leaders in Law
07.12.22
Crain’s New York Business includes Lisa E. Davis and Terri Seligman on the 2022 Notable Diverse Leaders in Law list.
More Than 2,000 Women Partners Issue Call to Action Post-‘Dobbs’
06.27.22
Partners Victoria Cook, Lisa E. Davis, Caren Decter, Catherine Farrelly, Julie Murray, Amy Nickin, Terri Seligman, Hannah Taylor, and Linda Wank signed a letter, and call to action, in the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. (Behind paywall)
Frankfurt Kurnit in The Legal 500 2022
06.09.22
The Legal 500 once again praises Frankfurt Kurnit practice groups and attorneys in the 2022 edition of their United States guide.
Hottest Firms and Stories on Law360: May 2022
06.02.22
Lisa E. Davis and Khasim Lockhart's article, "A Look at the Legal Profession Since Murder of George Floyd" is included in Law360's roundup of the stories that generated the most buzz over the past week.
A Look at the Legal Profession Since Murder of George Floyd
05.25.22
Law360 published Lisa E. Davis and Khasim Lockhart’s expert analysis article, “A Look at the Legal Profession Since Murder of George Floyd.”
Southern Fried Filmworks Options Interior Designer Sheila Bridges’ Memoir, “The Bald Mermaid”
04.21.22
Deadline mentions Lisa E. Davis as counsel to interior designer Sheila Bridges.
What’s Going on – 3/24
03.28.22
Our Time Press includes Lisa E. Davis for her Super Lawyers magazine cover and article that appeared in the New York Times about her battle for inclusion in entertainment and law in their Arts/Entertainment coverage section.
THR Power Lawyers 2021: New York’s Top 20 Entertainment Attorneys
12.03.21
The Hollywood Reporter includes Marcie Cleary and Lisa E. Davis in its Power Lawyers list of the top 20 entertainment attorneys in New York for 2021.
Global Platform Encantos Teams with Eugenio Derbez’s 3Pas for New Kids’ Content
11.17.21
Animation Magazine mentions Lisa E. Davis as counsel to Encantos, the global platform bringing purpose-driven entertainment to children, announced megastar Eugenio Derbez and his 3Pas Studios will join forces to develop new children’s entertainment aiming to ignite critical thinking and creative problem solving skills.
‘We Need to Tell Other Stories’
10.04.21
Super Lawyers magazine features Lisa E. Davis in an article about her career as an entertainment lawyer and her advocacy for racial justice.
Thirty-four Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named to Super Lawyers New York Metro List for 2021
09.30.21
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.”
The Best Lawyers in America 2022
08.19.21
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.
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.
How American Stages Should Look in the Future, According to a Cohort of Emerging BIPOC Producers
05.28.21
Playbill mentions Lisa E. Davis as one of the speakers during the Theatre Producers of Color inaugural Producing 101 course.
Book Deals: Nat Geo Travels with Nabongo
05.24.21
Publishers Weekly mentions Lisa E. Davis as counsel to Jessica Nabongo.
Paul Hastings Boosts Entertainment Group as Industry Faces ‘Transformation’
01.22.21
Reuters quotes Lisa E. Davis on the continued development of content during the pandemic.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Strike Gold In Hollywood
12.21.20
Daily Beast quotes Lisa E. Davis on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s recent entertainment deals.
Power Lawyers 2020: New York’s Top 20 Entertainment Attorneys
12.09.20
The Hollywood Reporter includes Lisa E. Davis and Michael Williams in its Power Lawyers list of the top entertainment attorneys in New York.
Newly Formed Theatre Producers of Color Group Sets Tuition-Free Mentorship Program
12.01.20
Deadline mentions Lisa E. Davis as a guest speaker during “Producers 101,” the first educational program from the newly formed Theatre Producers of Color organization.
Thirty-four Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named to Super Lawyers New York Metro List for 2020
10.15.20
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.”
Film and TV Industry Grapples with Financial Constraints, Health Guidelines Spurred by Pandemic
10.09.20
Crain’s New York Business quotes Lisa E. Davis on added costs to movie and television productions due to new COVID safety requirements on set. (Behind paywall)
The Best Lawyers in America 2021
08.20.20
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.
HBO to Adapt Ta-Nehisi Coates’ ‘Between the World and Me’ as Event Special
07.23.20
Deadline mentions Lisa E. Davis as counsel to Kamilah Forbes who is set to direct the television adaption of “Between the World and Me” for HBO.
Variety’s 2020 Legal Impact Report
07.15.20
Variety’s 2020 Legal Impact Report includes Marcie Cleary, Lisa E. Davis, and Deborah Wolfe for their work in the podcast space. The list includes legal professionals who made the biggest deals for entertainment industry clients in the past year.
Production During the Pandemic
06.08.20
Shoot Online features Lisa E. Davis and Marcie Cleary's blog post “The Show Must Go On: Production During the Pandemic."
Encantos Launches New Fellowship Program to Discover the Next Generation of Underrepresented Talent
04.27.20
StreetInsider.com mentions Lisa E. Davis as one of the mentors in the Encantos Fellowship program.
Super Lawyers – New York Metro Top Women for 2020
03.28.20
The New York Times distributed the Super Lawyers list of the New York Metro Area's Top Women for 2020. Fourteen Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys made the list: Wendy Stryker (Employment Law), Victoria Cook, Lisa Davis & Jean Ward (Entertainment Law), Barbara Shiers (Estate Planning & Probate), Catherine Farrelly (Intellectual Property), Kim Maynard & Maura Wogan (Intellectual Property Litigation) Candice Kersh & Terri Seligman (Media and Advertising). Marcie Cleary & Sasha Levites (Entertainment Law), and Rachel Santori (Intellectual Property Law) are listed as "Rising Stars."