Wendy Heimann

Wendy is co-founder and managing partner of Nolan Heimann and the force behind our reputation for being the premiere law practice serving the location based, experiential, and immersive entertainment industry worldwide. Her entire 30-year career has been solely dedicated to this unique vertical.


client roster includes:

  • Intellectual Property Licensors & Licensees

  • Developers

  • Owners & Operators

  • Specialized Industry Service Providers

  • Technology Developers

  • Designers & Storytellers

    Wendy’s in-depth, front-line location based, experiential, and immersive entertainment industry knowledge - and her unusually far-reaching network - enable her the ability to provide truly informed and experienced counsel. Importantly, her unique “crow’s nest” position at the hub of this diverse industry enables her representation to be grounded in pragmatism and an aggressively strategic and forward-looking approach. As an attorney, entrepreneur, producer, and former business executive, Wendy’s counsel is always rooted in business reality.

    After a stint as a talent agent, it was in the windy city where she began her legal career as an intellectual transactional attorney with the international law firm Mayer Brown. As an attorney committed to Chicago’s amazing “theater scene” (proudly serving as an original board member of the renowned Lookingglass Theatre Company), Wendy was tapped by Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs, under the inventive Mayor Richard M. Daley, to helm the landmark Chicago Theatre as its Executive Director. In that role, she not only grew net revenues by 200%, but her belief in the power of entertainment as a means of creating and revitalizing communities exploded, compelling her to make her way to Los Angeles.

    In Los Angeles and Orlando, Wendy served as an executive at Universal Studios, heading up Business and Legal Affairs for Universal Creative, the division responsible for the concept, design, and development of all domestic and international theme parks, resorts, and attractions for Universal Destinations & Experiences (formerly, Universal Parks & Resorts). 

    Wendy is an active member and pro-bono counsel of the Themed Entertainment Association and was honored in 2020 with the receipt of their Peter Chernack Distinguished Service THEA Award. Additionally, she is pro bono counsel to Ryman Arts, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of The Third Floor, an international, award-winning digital visualization and production company.

    In addition to her dedication to immersive entertainment, Wendy is a passionate drummer. Her LA-based band, Crinoline, plays throughout Southern California with an occasional jaunt to the Double Down Saloon in Vegas, the longest running punk club in the US and most definitely her favorite venue.

    And, lastly, with her remaining time (after husband and kids - ha ha), Wendy ventures into the ever-masochistic but profoundly rewarding world of producing live entertainment. So, not only does she care deeply about her clients, she often shares their pain as well.

    Bar Admissions

  • California

  • Illinois

    Education

  • University of Chicago Law School, J.D.,

  • Northwestern University, B.S., Communications

  • City of London Polytechnic, Television and Film

Authenticity being of critical importance to her, Wendy appreciates Jim Morrison’s quote: “The most important kind of freedom is to be what you really are.” She applies that philosophy to all aspects of her professional and personal life and always encourages her clients to be brave enough to do the same.

 

“I have spent 30 years as a champion for our ever-growing experience economy. With ever-evolving tech, the continual pressure for IPs to monetize, and fast changing consumer expectations, I am more bullish than ever as to the myriad opportunities available for new out of home experiences and business models.”

I truly am committed to providing my clients with a sound launching pad off which they can leap with vigor rather than fear.”

representative matters

Negotiated license agreement on behalf of multi-billion dollar international developer for first 20th Century Fox Studios theme park in the world

 

Led the landmark Chicago Theatre in structuring and negotiating long-term theatrical lease with Walt Disney Theatricals, including securing multi-million dollar capital improvement commitment

 

Negotiated agreement on behalf of entertainment executive for leadership of developer’s creative team for Universal Studios Singapore at Resorts World Sentosa

 

Assisted in structuring joint venture with Seraphim, Clive Barker’s production company, for development of cross-platform opportunities based on new intellectual properties

 

Negotiated agreement on behalf of international developer for development of Marvel Studios family entertainment centers throughout India

 

Assisted various intellectual property owners in negotiating and structuring roll-out of IPs in location-based entertainment vertical

 

Drafted and negotiated numerous multi-million dollar service and purchase agreements on behalf of creative and technical companies for deals throughout North America, Europe, Asia and UAE

 

Negotiated license agreement with Warner Bros. on behalf of immersive touring producer for development and operations of Harry Potter touring exhibitions


Assisted Chinese developer in negotiating license agreement with Paramount Studios for development of Paramount Gateway projects in China

 

Negotiated agreements on behalf of mixed-use real estate developer for development of Hasbro-themed integrated family entertainment resorts in various US locations


Negotiated various license agreements on behalf of three-billion euro UK world-class destination theme park

 

Assisted emerging, vertically integrated immersive entertainment developer in securing various intellectual properties for roll-out of various immersive experiences throughout the world


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