Wendy is co-founder and managing partner of Nolan Heimann and the force behind our reputation for being the premiere law practice serving location-based and immersive entertainment entities worldwide. Her entire 30 plus-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 work focuses on:
Strategic Counsel Rooted in Industry-Wide Insight: Wendy’s in-depth, front-line location based, experiential, and immersiveentertainment 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 begrounded 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.
A Foundation in Intellectual Property and Cultural Leadership: After a stint as a talent agent, it was in the Windy City where she began her legal career as an intellectual property 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 TheatreCompany), 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.
Leadership in Global Theme Park and Resort Development: In Los Angeles and Orlando, Wendy served as an executive at UniversalStudios, heading up Business and Legal Affairs for Universal Creative, the division responsible for the concept, design, and development ofall domestic and international theme parks, resorts, and attractions for Universal Destinations & Experiences (formerly, Universal Parks &Resorts).
Longstanding Involvement in the Themed Entertainment Community: Wendy has been an active member and pro-bono counsel of the Themed Entertainment Association for over two decades, received the Peter Chernack Distinguished Service THEA Award in 2020, and was elected to the TEA International Board in 2023. Additionally, she is a member of the Board of Directors of The Third Floor, an international, award-winning digital visualization and production company.
A Creative Life Beyond the Boardroom: 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 inVegas, the longest-running punk club in the US and most definitely her favorite venue. In addition to pounding for Crinoline, Wendyjoined The Durgas’ Summer 2024 European Tour and was subsequently given the honor of being asked to be the official drummer for this special activist indie rock band.
Producing, Performing, Advocating: 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.
Career Highlights:
Negotiated license agreement on behalf of multi-billion dollar international developer for first 20th Century Fox Studios theme park in the world
Provides ongoing counsel to Fortune 100 company for its gaming division brand expansion into location-based entertainment
Provides ongoing counsel to the largest theme park in South America on various entertainment and intellectual property matters
