Atty. Caren Decter

Atty. Caren Decter

Caren Decter is a partner in the Litigation Group, with nearly 20 years of experience representing clients in the advertising, art, consumer goods, and media and entertainment industries on intellectual property and complex contractual disputes, as well as consumer class actions and white collar criminal matters. She is recognized by Best Lawyers in America (2024-2025), The Legal 500 (2024) and Super Lawyers (2021-2023) as a leading lawyer in her field.

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Criminal Defense: White-Collar Attorney · Serving New York, NY

Profile Summary

About Caren Decter at a Glance

Caren Decter is a criminal defense and white collar attorney based in New York, New York, practicing at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC. Admitted to practice in New Jersey, New Jersey State Bar Association and New York, New York State Bar Association. Educated at University of California Berkeley (J.D., 2006) and Washington University in St. Louis (B.A., 2002). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Art Law (2026). Serves clients in New York, NY and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated October 2026

About Caren Decter

Caren Decter is a partner in the Litigation Group, with nearly 20 years of experience representing clients in the advertising, art, consumer goods, and media and entertainment industries on intellectual property and complex contractual disputes, as well as consumer class actions and white collar criminal matters. She is recognized by Best Lawyers in America (2024-2025), The Legal 500 (2024) and Super Lawyers (2021-2023) as a leading lawyer in her field.

Clients benefit from her skill in managing complex litigation aggressively and efficiently, as well as her responsiveness and ability to forge creative solutions to complicated problems before they grow into drawn-out litigation.

Her recent work includes:

  • Obtaining dismissal of copyright claims against the world’s largest online clearinghouse of stock 3D models;
  • Obtaining dismissal on summary judgement of a $30 million art fraud complaint;
  • Obtaining dismissal of breach of fiduciary duty and contract claims against commercial bank;
  • Representing leading educational publisher in trademark infringement and breach-of-contract litigation against Vanderbilt University;
  • Representing museum in World War II restitution case;
  • Defending numerous clients in consumer class actions and mass arbitrations arising under state and federal law, including consumer protection statutes, the California wiretapping statute (CIPA), the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA), the Lanham Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA);
  • Responding to and resolving CCPA Notice of Violation letters from the California Office of the Attorney General for industry clients;
  • Representing advertising agency in connection with a criminal antitrust investigation; and
  • Drafting U.S. Supreme Court amicus brief in Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. v. Goldsmith discussing the impact of the fair use ruling on documentary filmmakers.

Ms. Decter takes on significant pro bono matters. The Anti-Defamation League awarded Ms. Decter and several of her colleagues the Edward Brodsky Founders Award in recognition of their work on an amicus brief arguing against President Trump’s travel ban.

Ms. Decter is on the Board of Directors for the New York County Lawyers Association Foundation and a member of the Federal Courts Committee of the NYC Bar Association. Prior to joining Frankfurt Kurnit, Ms. Decter was an attorney with Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, where she represented clients in complex commercial litigations. She also clerked for the Honorable Colleen McMahon, Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

She is admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey, and the federal courts in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, the District of New Jersey, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.

Practice Areas Explained

Caren Decter's Areas of Legal Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Caren Decter handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in New York.

Criminal Defense in New York

A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.

Caren Decter is one of 212,605 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in New York →

White Collar Crimes in New York

Caren Decter is one of 19,824 white collar attorneys indexed nationally. Browse white collar attorneys in New York →

Jurisdictional Context

Why Local Counsel Matters in New York

Practicing law in New York. Legal matters in New York are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in New York are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate New York state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in New York brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in New York courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

New York Courts and Legal Process

Choosing a New York-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.

Looking for additional New York attorneys? Browse all attorneys in New York or all attorneys in New York.

Frequently Asked

Common Questions About Caren Decter

Where is Caren Decter's law office located?
Caren Decter's law practice is located in New York, New York. The firm is Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Caren Decter handle?
Caren Decter focuses on criminal defense, white collar. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in New York.
Where did Caren Decter go to law school?
Caren Decter earned their education at (J.D., 2006); (B.A., 2002).
How can I contact Caren Decter for a consultation?
You can contact Caren Decter directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Caren Decter received?
Caren Decter's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar; Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:; Best Lawyers in America — Art Law; Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Intellectual Property; Best Lawyers in America — Awards:.

Professional Profile

Why Clients in New York Choose Caren Decter

Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Caren Decter's practice in the field of criminal defense and white collar.

Multi-State Bar Admission

Licensed in New Jersey, New Jersey State Bar Association and New York, New York State Bar Association, Caren Decter can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.

Broad Practice Area Coverage

Covering criminal defense and white collar, Caren Decter can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.

Local Presence in New York

A New York-based practice means Caren Decter attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.

Search Reference

How People Find Caren Decter Online

Prospective clients searching for legal help in New York commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like Caren Decter.

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If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with Caren Decter directly.

Caren Decter's Practice Areas & Specializations

Education & Law School Background

J.D.
University of California Berkeley
- 2006
B.A.
Washington University in St. Louis
- 2002

Awards & Professional Honors

Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Art Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Intellectual Property
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Benchmark Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — New York-area "Super Lawyer"
- 2026

Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions

New Jersey, New Jersey State Bar Association
New York, New York State Bar Association

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