Future Forward Insights
Each of us at Nolan Heimann has an affinity for new frontiers, from immersive entertainment and influencer brands to blockchain, DAO’s, and the metaverse(s), we are attorneys with deep knowledge that provide detailed expertise in executing novel aspects of our clients’ strategies. Protecting IP, while planning for its future growth and monetization, is at the heart of what we do.
These insights are offered as an expression of our commitment to helping all creators and business makers structure their ventures on solid, authentic foundations to enable growth and transformation. Keep up-to-date with our monthly newsletter. Subscribe at the bottom of our site.
Every Deal Is a Dance Ep. 12: From Hollywood Editor to Creative Technologist: Editor Christopher Hill on Reinvention, VR, and Building Your Own IP
Hollywood editor Christopher Hill has cut 445+ episodes of Big Brother — and then reinvented himself entirely. He talks with Mishawn Nolan about curiosity, ownership, and building new things when the industry changes around you.
Patenting for Inventors Ep.167: How to Use the Patent Office Patent Assignment Database Like a Pro
In Episode 167 of Patenting for Inventors, host Adam Diament explains who actually owns that patent. Adam walks you through the USPTO Assignment Database — one of the most powerful (and underused) tools in the patent world.
Every Deal Is a Dance Ep. 11: Musician Adam Gaynor on The Art of the Pivot: From Matchbox 20 to Creative Entrepreneurship
From selling 30 million records with Matchbox 20 to building family animation company Creationville, Adam Gaynor embodies perpetual creativity and the art of the pivot. In this conversation, he shares hard-won lessons about launching before building everything, meeting the universe halfway, recognizing when your creative barometer is working, and why this is the year every creative entrepreneur needs to make halftime adjustments.
The Licensing Exchange Ep. 6: From Pokémon to Manga's Future: Jazwares President Jeremy Padawer on Collecting and the Toy Industry
Jeremy Padawer's journey spans Mattel, founding Wicked Cool Toys, acquiring Squishmallows, and now leading Jazwares under Berkshire Hathaway. But he's equally known for his collecting conviction—from publicly spending a million dollars on Pokémon to facilitating Logan Paul's $6M Pikachu Illustrator purchase to his latest $275K bet on graded manga. In this conversation, Jeremy shares hard-won lessons about retail strategy, why kidults are now the #1 toy segment, and why One Piece, Dragon Ball, and Naruto are the next Batman and Superman.
Patenting for Inventors Ep.166: Patent Thickets: When Owning Too Many Patents Is the Point
In Episode 166 of Patenting for Inventors, host Adam Diament explains how big tech companies use patent thickets—dense webs of overlapping patents—to create leverage, protect investments, and shape competitive landscapes. Learn why understanding these strategic forests matters for inventors and startups.
Every Deal Is a Dance Ep. 10: From Dishwasher to Empire Builder: Chef Gavan Murphy on Food, Hospitality, and Creative Entrepreneurship
Chef Gavan Murphy connects people through food — and has built a business in Las Vegas doing exactly that. His conversation with Mishawn Nolan is a candid look at what Creative Entrepreneurship actually looks like from the inside.
Patenting for Inventors Ep.165: Help! My Co-Inventor Refuses to Sign the Patent Application!
A co-inventor refusing to sign your patent application is a problem — but it's not a dead end. Patent attorney Adam Diament breaks down your legal options and how to move forward.
Patenting for Inventors Ep.164: Patent Pools: Cooperation That Looks Like Competition
In Episode 164 of Patenting for Inventors, host Adam Diament breaks down how patent pools simplify licensing in the tech industry—helping companies avoid legal gridlock, reduce costs, and get products to market faster. Learn why these behind-the-scenes tools are essential for modern innovation.
Every Deal Is a Dance Ep. 9: Authenticity and Vision: Horror Director David Yarovesky on Building a Hollywood Career from Obsession
Horror director David Yarovesky has known who he is since age 4 when he declared "every day is Halloween for me." In this conversation, he shares his journey from childhood obsession to directing Elizabeth Banks and Anthony Hopkins, discussing authenticity, handling doubt, staying calm under pressure, and why the entertainment industry's upheaval means artists will need the industry less than ever.
The Licensing Exchange Ep. 5: From Dial-Up to Deal Flow: Ari Zebersky & Dylan Karofsky on Modernizing Licensing
In Episode 5 of The Licensing Exchange, Nolan Heimann partners David Schnider and Greg Pan speak with Ari Zebersky and Dylan Karofsky, co-founders of Negosh, about what it takes to modernize licensing infrastructure without losing the human element that makes the industry work.
Patenting for Inventors Ep.163: Can You Patent an App? What You Need to Know Before You File
Can you patent an app? Patent attorney Adam Diament explains when apps qualify for patent protection, why ideas alone aren’t enough, and what inventors need to know before filing.
Every Deal Is a Dance Ep. 8: From Brows to Brand Empire: Damone Roberts on Transformation as Strategy
Transformation isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a business strategy. In this episode, Mishawn Nolan speaks with legendary beauty entrepreneur Damone Roberts about turning artistic intuition into a thriving, purpose-driven brand.
Every Deal Is a Dance Ep. 7: From Stage to Strategy: Pamela Fisher on Reinvention and Building Creative Careers
In this episode of Every Deal Is a Dance, Mishawn Nolan talks with top talent manager Pamela Fisher on reinvention, identifying talent, and building creative careers through alignment, trust, and flow.
The Licensing Exchange Ep.4: From Style Guides to Trendsetting: Derrick Baca & Liz DeSilva on Building Fandom-First Merch
What makes licensed merchandise feel collectible—not forgettable? Derrick Baca and Liz DeSilva share how fandom insight, original art, and smart retail strategy helped propel Loungefly’s growth and how they’re applying those lessons to joy-driven product today.
Every Deal Is a Dance Ep. 6: Authenticity at Scale: Nate Siggard on Reinvention, AI, and Building in Uncertainty
In this episode of Every Deal Is a Dance, Mishawn Nolan talks with entrepreneur and technologist Nate Siggard about reinvention, AI as a “cultural mirror,” and what it takes to lead with authenticity when uncertainty is the only constant.
Patenting for Inventors Ep.162: Zootopia 2: The Shocking Fraudulent Patent That Drives the Entire Plot!
Zootopia 2 unexpectedly hinges on a patent dispute. In this episode, Adam Diament explains what the movie gets hilariously wrong about inventorship, “forged patents,” and why real patents don’t support century-long empires.
Every Deal Is a Dance Ep. 5: World-Building in Real Life: Karen Somers on Creativity, Reinvention & Impact
In this episode of Every Deal Is a Dance, filmmaker, photographer, and property developer Karen Somers joins host Mishawn Nolan to discuss creative reinvention, world-building, and how artists can translate their skills into meaningful impact—from polar bear shoots to Rust Belt housing.
The Licensing Exchange Ep.3: The Power of Licensing: Stu Seltzer on Brand Growth, Collaborations & Competitive Advantage
In this episode of The Licensing Exchange, Stu Seltzer shares his 30+ years of experience—from YSL and DC Comics to founding Seltzer Licensing Group—and breaks down how licensing drives growth through collaborations, risk management, and strategic planning.
Every Deal Is a Dance Ep.4: Act One, Act Two: How David Ackert Turned Creativity Into a Business-Building Superpower
In this episode of Every Deal Is a Dance, host Mishawn Nolan speaks with David Ackert — CEO of PipelinePlus and best-selling author of The Short List — about how his acting roots became the foundation for his work in business development and professional growth.
re:invent(ed) Ep.2: From Syncs to Students: Marat Berenstein on Reinventing the Music Business
In re:invent(ed), Episode 2, host Nick Rosenberg talks with Marat Berenstein about the nuts and bolts of sync, why distribution has become music’s new talent pipeline, and how the Clive Davis Institute is building bridges from classroom to career.