Tim Heafner is a go-to litigator and trusted advisor for clients in the entertainment and media industry, specializing in high-profile, complex litigation matters and profit-participation and licensing disputes. He has represented and advised major motion-picture studios, television studios, television networks, production companies, streaming platforms, and other entertainment and media companies in connection with a wide variety of disputes concerning dozens of hit television series and motion pictures. His practice focuses on new technology issues, licensing and distribution practices and disputes, accounting practices and methodologies, and other intellectual property issues.
Tim is an experienced trial lawyer and has guided clients to victories in state court, federal court, and arbitration. Tim also has experience representing clients ranging from star athletes, including boxing promoters and superstars; to Fortune 500 companies, to non-profit organizations in a variety of complex commercial disputes.
- Represented Warner Bros. in dispute with Village Roadshow concerning day-and-date release of The Matrix Resurrections and other co-financing and intellectual property issues
- Defended The Walt Disney Company in actress Scarlett Johansson’s lawsuit over distribution of the film Black Widow
- Defended Universal City Studios in dispute with creators of Columbo television series over accounting of net profits
- Represented major television studio in dispute with creator of long-running television series concerning affiliate licensing and distribution decisions and accounting issues
- Represented television studio and television network in dispute with producer over licensing of multiple hit television series
- Represented Warner Bros. Television and The CW Network in vertical integration and breach of contract action concerning television series Smallville
- Defended Walt Disney Pictures and The Walt Disney Company in multiple disputes with creators of Home Improvement television series involving licensing and participation accounting issues
- Represented boxing promoter Top Rank, Inc., and Manny Pacquiao in numerous matters, including Pacquiao’s "Fight of the Century" against Floyd Mayweather and in disputes ranging from breach of contract to defamation, to tortious interference, to copyright disputes
- Represented Fortune 500 land development company, Lennar Corp., in multiple matters and was part of trial team that won US$1 billion jury verdict in Florida
- Represented non-profit organization founded by star NFL quarterback in breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty action brought against organization's former marketing company
Admissions
Bar Admissions
- California
Education
- Loyola Law School, J.D.: magna cum laude; Sayre Macneil Scholar; Order of the Coif; Editor, Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review
- Loyola Marymount University, B.B.A.: magna cum laude
Honors & Awards
- Recommended by The Legal 500 US for Media & Entertainment: Litigation (2024)
Professional Activities
Author
- "Does Remote Testimony Eliminate the 100-Mile Rule?," Law.com (October 13, 2022)
Externships
- Honorable Sandra Ikuta, United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit