Nolan Heimann LLP

This Women’s History Month, we celebrate not only the trailblazing women who paved the way but also the incredible women making history right now—our clients, colleagues, and leaders who are shaping industries, driving innovation, and breaking barriers every single day. As we honor today’s change-makers, we also look to the future. Every bold step forward isn’t just for us—it’s for the next generation: the future leaders watching, learning, and preparing to leave their own mark on the world. As a firm founded by two women with small children (what were they thinking?!), we know firsthand the grit, resilience, and sheer determination it takes to carve out space and build something great. We are beyond honored to support, uplift, and champion the brilliant women we work with every day. We stand not only on the shoulders of giants but also on the shoulders of giants in three-inch heels, sneakers, ballet flats, combat boots, and whatever else it takes to get the job done. Here’s to the women making history today—and to the future leaders already on their way. #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInBusiness #BreakingBarriers #WomenInLaw #TrailblazingWomen

We’re thrilled to announce that our Co-Founder and Co-Managing Partner, Wendy Heimann-Nunes, has been named a 2025 Southern California Super Lawyer! 🎉 With over 30 years dedicated to the location-based, experiential, and immersive entertainment industry, Wendy is a true leader and innovator in the field. Her extensive experience spans legal, executive, and entrepreneurial roles, making her uniquely positioned to provide strategic, forward-thinking counsel to clients ranging from IP licensors and developers to designers, storytellers, and technology pioneers. Wendy’s impact extends beyond legal representation—her passion for entertainment, community-building, and creativity fuels her work. From helming the Chicago Theatre to heading up Business and Legal Affairs at Universal Creative, her expertise has shaped some of the most iconic experiences in immersive entertainment. Join us in celebrating Wendy’s well-earned Super Lawyers recognition! 🏆 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ee-kYCna #SuperLawyers #EntertainmentLaw #ImmersiveEntertainment #ExperientialEntertainment #ThemedEntertainment #BusinessLaw #Licensing #IntellectualProperty #LegalExcellence #EntertainmentIndustry #BrandProtection #WomenInLaw #LawFirm

McFarlane Toys did an incredible job with the DC license for action figures as an underdog, both keeping availability on shelves and getting into major distribution and far exceeding expectations. However, sometimes you can’t beat high guarantees, global distribution and coverage for multiple toy categories, which is why Mattel and Hasbro still are able to get the most desired licenses for toys. Will DC getting back with their ex bring back the same issues or will both sides learn to do better this time? Mattel meanwhile is really gambling with the hope that James Gunn can do better with the DC movie universe. It’s not a bad gamble, but a gamble nonetheless. I also hope Mattel makes the right move and puts Damon Nee in charge of development for action figures. https://lnkd.in/e7_hSUZd

I've dabbled a little in Location Based Entertainment storytelling and when it comes to iconic franchises with active films it's possibly the most contentious topic of discussion among creatives. Let's pull back the curtain. Let's take a franchise like a Star Wars or a Marvel. It has iconic movies and media stretching comics, games, stories, tv and films. It has ongoing media coming out every year. Some things in a themed land are permanent, other things are not. Do you keep the story of that land consistent with what is happening in the films? or do you keep it evergreen not tied to the films? Or do you keep it in the universe yet far enough away geographically to be unaffected by in-universe events. Here are the stakeholders: 1. The studio (usually the brand overseer) sees the park as a marketing device, they want the park to promote the films. Pro: New movies provides a synergistic marketing push for the film and land. Con: The park can't keep up with changes or the films can flop. Non-media elements get ignored (e.g. video games, and non-cannon media). 2. Park designers are looking towards an immersive experience, they want guests to feel like they are walking into the world they are familiar with, while also offering some surprises. Pro: represents iconography for that property and allows flexibility with characters and story. Con: Operates independently from movies and misses riding those waves. 3. Operations is looking for a box that can have elements swapped in and out easily for different events and for future add ons and adjustments. Oh yeah, also keep it in budget. Pro: Keeps it in budget, and modular to correct mistakes Con: Sterile and lacking magic. You can see where the different agendas are. While having a land consistent with the movie universe may be great for the movie fans, it's failure in the long term. New media usually gets dated fast. If also risk blocking other parts of the IP from ever being used. User demand gets sacrificed for consistency. Often there compromise. Keep the cinematic look to allow movie tie-ins, but have it in another universe so it doesn't effect the film timeline. Ultimately when it comes to user experience, the visitors want to see their favorite characters and moments, it's only the studio that cares about timeline and pushing new projects. An evergreen location with franchise highlights is usually what park creatives advocate internally but in my experience they are not always the most powerful voice in the room. It's only until several years later after the land is no longer new when the issues with an in-universe aesthetic start to really cause problems. Moral of the story I've learned is to not let marketing people looking to support a project for today make permanent decisions that will still be around in five years. https://lnkd.in/e9yBMJ-R

I was thrilled to be part of that brain trust! The Leadership Forum was fun, educational, and a great connecting opportunity. Thank you AJ Goehle and Matthew Cross, ICAE for including me.

I've had the distinct honor and pleasure of guest speaking in Desa Burton (she/her/hers)'s IP Transactions Law class at UPenn Law school for at least ten consecutive years now. Every year it has been an opportunity to talk with law students interested in hearing about my own journey within IP law, and I always get great questions from students curious about what goes into contracts and what negotiations look like. Below is a very impromptu screen shot of students peering into my messy office.

There are many ways to write patent claims. One way is called a Jepson-style patent claim, where you explicitly admit what is not inventive about your claim, and then state the part or parts that are inventive. It's not named after the singer named Carly Rae Jepsen, but what if Carly Rae Jepsen wanted to patent a method to get a crush to fall in love with her by using the techniques used in her hit song from 2011, "Call Me Maybe"? How would she go about writing her patent claims in the Jepson-style format of claim drafting? And how would those Jepson-style claims be different compared to the traditional way that patent claims are written in the United States? Listen to the latest episode of the Patenting for Inventors podcast to find out! https://lnkd.in/gExm_j3d

We’re excited to announce that Partner, Jordan Susman, has been named a 2025 Southern California Super Lawyer! 🎉 With a background in media, entertainment, and business litigation, Jordan is a fierce advocate for his clients, including Academy Award® winners, major production companies, and social media influencers. His deep industry knowledge—shaped by his own career as an award-winning filmmaker—gives him a unique edge in protecting creative professionals and businesses. From reputation protection to intellectual property disputes, Jordan’s strategic approach and courtroom success make this recognition well deserved. Join us in celebrating Jordan’s well-earned Super Lawyers honor! 🏆 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eGQ_xBPE #SuperLawyers #EntertainmentLaw #MediaLaw #IPLaw #ReputationProtection #Litigation #LegalExcellence #SuperLawyer2025 #LawFirm

We’re proud to announce that Partner, Douglas Mirell, has been named a 2025 Southern California Super Lawyer! 🎉 With over four decades of experience at the cutting edge of First Amendment, media, and entertainment law, Doug is a true advocate for free speech, performer rights, and digital protection. From landmark defamation cases to shaping AI legislation, his work has made a lasting impact on the entertainment and media industries. Doug’s expertise spans litigation, clearance, and strategic advising for A-list actors, major studios, and emerging technology companies navigating AI and digital rights. His dedication to protecting clients and shaping legal standards makes this recognition well deserved. Join us in congratulating Doug on this incredible achievement! 🏆 Super Lawyers✨ 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g8SutxFw #SuperLawyers #EntertainmentLaw #FirstAmendment #MediaLaw #AIAwareness #LegalExcellence #DefamationLaw #IntellectualProperty #SuperLawyer2025 #LawFirm