Atty. Marcie Cleary

Atty. Marcie Cleary

Marcie Cleary is a partner in the Entertainment Group at Frankfurt Kurnit, representing clients in the film, television, digital, and book publishing industries. Ms.

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Profile Summary

About Marcie Cleary at a glance

Marcie Cleary is a entertainment attorney based in New York, New York, practicing at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC. Admitted to practice in New York, New York State Bar Association. Educated at Yale University (J.D., 2010) and New York University (B.A.). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television (2026), Best Lawyers in America — in America (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — from 2021-2024 for work in: (2026). Serands clients in New York, NY and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Marcie Cleary is a partner in the Entertainment Group at Frankfurt Kurnit, representing clients in the film, television, digital, and book publishing industries
  • Ms. Cleary structures and negotiates entertainment transactions for individual and corporate clients in the film, television, digital, and book publishing industries
  • Her clients include actors, news correspondents, writers, directors, producers, authors, podcasters and influencers
  • Ms. Cleary has significant experience representing comedians in connection with deals for stand-up specials, television and digital series, motion pictures, and recorded albums
  • Ms. Cleary also has become one of the podcast industry’s go-to lawyers
  • She represents a number of successful podcast creators, hosts, on-air talent, and producers, as well as underlying rights holders
  • Before joining Frankfurt Kurnit, Ms. Cleary was a corporate associate at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP where her experience included advising William Morris Endeavor Entertainment (WME) on its strategic partnership with, and sale of a minority interest to, Silver Lake, and advising Apollo Global Management on its acquisition of CKX, Inc., an owner of rights to the American Idol franchise and the Elvis Presley Estate
  • Ms. Cleary is widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading entertainment lawyers
  • The Hollywood Reporter includes Ms. Cleary in its 2023 “Power Lawyers” list of the top 25 entertainment lawyers in New York, and included her in its 2021 "Power Lawyers" list of the top 20 entertainment lawyers in New York
  • Variety has recognized Ms. Cleary in its 2022 & 2021 Dealmakers Impact Reports, and in its Legal Impact Reports for the past five consecutive years
  • Variety also recognized Ms. Cleary in its 2024 Women's Impact Report: New York
  • Best Lawyers in America includes Ms. Cleary in the 2024 and 2023 editions of “Ones to Watch” and the 2025 "Best Lawyers" edition for Entertainment and Sports Law
  • Chambers USA included her in the 2023 and 2024 editions for Entertainment & Media: Advisory work
  • The Legal 500 praises Ms. Cleary in its 2022-2024 editions for her expertise in Media & Entertainment Law, and Super Lawyers magazine included her for her Entertainment & Sports work in 2023
  • Business Insider also includes Ms. Cleary in their list of the 13 leading attorneys who work with digital creators and influencers
  • Ms. Cleary is a member of the New York University Lawyer Alumni Mentoring Program Advisory Board, the Harlem School of the Arts Associate Board, and the Board of Comedy Gives Back
  • Ms. Cleary was also a past lecturer at the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale
  • She is admitted to practice in New York

Practice Areas Explained

Marcie Cleary's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Marcie Cleary handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Entertainment & Sports Law

Entertainment lawyers for music, film, sports contracts, talent representation, and IP licensing.

Marcie Cleary is one of 45,946 entertainment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse entertainment 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 andnue, 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.

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

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Marcie Cleary

Where is Marcie Cleary's law office located?
Marcie Cleary'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 Marcie Cleary handle?
Marcie Cleary focuses on entertainment. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in New York.
Where did Marcie Cleary go to law school?
Marcie Cleary earned their education at (J.D., 2010); (B.A.).
How can I contact Marcie Cleary for a consultation?
You can contact Marcie Cleary 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 Marcie Cleary received?
Marcie Cleary's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television; Best Lawyers in America — in America; Best Lawyers in America — from 2021-2024 for work in:; Best Lawyers in America — Entertainment and Sports Law - 2024; Best Lawyers in America — Entertainment and Sports Law - 2023.

Education

J.D.
Yale University
- 2010
B.A.
New York University
- In Progress

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — in America
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — from 2021-2024 for work in:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Entertainment and Sports Law - 2024
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Entertainment and Sports Law - 2023
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Entertainment and Sports Law - 2022
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Entertainment and Sports Law - 2021
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Business Insider -
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Top 13 leading attorneys
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Chambers USA
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — The Hollywood Reporter
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Super Lawyers
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — The Legal 500
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Variety
- 2026

Bar Admissions

New York, New York State Bar Association

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