Legal Expertise

Samantha W. Frankel is an associate in Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp’s Litigation Practice Group in the New York office.  Her practice focuses on complex commercial and intellectual property litigation, particularly disputes arising in the entertainment, media, and digital publishing industries.

Samantha litigates high-stakes matters in federal and state courts, as well as before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, including cases involving copyright, trademark, defamation, contract, and employment-related claims.  Her work spans all phases of litigation, from pleadings and jurisdictional challenges through discovery, dispositive motion practice, trial preparation, and appellate proceedings.

Representative Matters

• Representing an estate in trademark enforcement and related disputes concerning the ownership and recovery of intellectual property and contested tangible assets tied to the work and cultural influence of a pioneering figure in music and nightlife culture.
• Member of a litigation team representing a music company in a copyright dispute involving the unauthorized use of sound recordings and musical compositions in a musical biopic.
• Member of a litigation team representing a music industry executive in a long-running, high-profile defamation action, with extensive involvement in dispositive motion practice, appellate proceedings, and trial preparation.
• Member of a litigation team defending music publishing and production companies in a complex commercial dispute concerning publishing agreements, royalty accounting, and contract termination rights.
• Represented a former band member in a dispute over trademark ownership and post-departure rights, including opposing the dissolution of a claimed partnership, with the matter ultimately resolving through a negotiated settlement.
• Represented a music industry manager in a contractual dispute concerning unpaid commissions.
• Representing a global digital publishing company in defending against photograph copyright infringement claims in multiple jurisdictions.
• Representing fashion retailers in indemnification disputes with staffing agencies arising from wage-and-hour class actions involving temporary workers.
• Member of litigation teams defending television networks and production companies in employment and workplace claims brought by former cast members, including discrimination, retaliation, and hostile work environment allegations.
• Representing brand owners in trademark enforcement proceedings, including Uniform Rapid Suspension actions against infringing domain names and online impersonation.

Professional, Business and civic Affiliations

• New York City Bar Association, Copyright and Literary Property Committee – Former Secretary (2022–2025); Member (2025–present)

Other Career Experience

• Warner Music Group, Part-Time Secondee, Litigation (July-December 2025) 
• Judicial Intern to the Honorable Robert A. Neary, New York State Supreme Court, Ninth Judicial District

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