Jesse M. Bookout

Jesse M. Bookout

Jesse joined Franklin Weinrib in 2021. They have a broad range of legal experience in transactional entertainment and other intellectual property matters, including in film, television and digital media. They regularly negotiate complex transactional issues on behalf of actors, writers, directors and producers at all stages of development and production. 

Prior to joining Franklin Weinrib, Jesse served as an associate at Bruns Brennan & Berry PC, where they advised studios, networks and production companies. 

Jesse began their legal career as an intern for FilmNation Entertainment and later served as a summer associate at Gray Krauss Sandler Des Rochers LLP.  During law school, their publication, “A Brief Introduction to Digital Art & Blockchain,” appeared in Vol. 37. of Cardozo’s Arts and Entertainment Law Journal where they served as an Associate Editor. 

Jesse is a member of the Entertainment and Sports Law Section of the New York State Bar Association.   While at Cardozo, they were a member of Cardozo’s Indie Film Clinic (now known as the Filmmakers Legal Clinic) and a student member of the New York City Bar Association’s LGBTQ Committee. 

Representative Work

  • Acting as production counsel for feature films and television series.
  • Advising senior studio executives on talent deals and content acquisition and distribution. 
  • Representing directors, writers and actors in connection with television, digital media and film projects. 
  • Conducting chain of title reviews.