T. Wayne Harman

Wayne Harman is an experienced trial litigator whose practice focuses on all aspects of entertainment litigation and dispute resolution. Wayne is known by his clients for his “big picture” approach to resolving disputes that necessarily involves the consideration of broader business and publicity concerns.

Wayne represents actors, musicians, directors, producers, writers, comedians, models, professional athletes, social media influencers, and production companies in all manner of disputes across the United States in federal court, state court, private arbitration, and pre-litigation dispute resolution.

Wayne has successfully advised and represented clients in the film, television, music, and modeling industries in matters involving breach of contract, defamation, rights of publicity, copyright and trademark infringement, trade secret misappropriation, corporate raiding, unfair competition, audit claims, film financing, wrongful termination disputes, general employment disputes, real estate disputes, bankruptcy litigation, complex partnership disputes, and marital dissolution disputes. Wayne also has a deep background representing private individuals and corporations in all manner of commercial litigation matters. Notable cases include:

• Represented director Martin Scorsese in a dispute arising out of a producer agreement. The matter was favorably resolved.
• Represented singer and choreographer Paula Abdul in a management dispute. The matter was favourably resolved.
• Represented A-list actor Gerard Butler in a multi-million dollar "pay or play" dispute arising out of an abandoned motion picture project. The matter was favorably resolved.
• Represented comedian Jeff Dunham in a trademark and copyright infringement lawsuit arising out of the sale of infringing goods by an internet website. The matter was favorably resolved.
• Represented Philip Berkovitz, the founder of a global luxury hair care brand, in a significant shareholder dispute. The matter was favorably resolved.
• Represented the founders of a television production company in a $150,000,000 lawsuit arising out of an attempt to oust them from the company they founded and acquire their interest at a fraction of its true value. The matter was favorably resolved.
• Represented the founder of a currency trading company in a multi-million dollar partner dispute. The matter was favorably resolved.
• Obtained a favorable arbitration award in favor of a photography shoot production company in a contractual dispute with a photographer.
• Represented a virtual reality start-up in a dispute arising out of a failed joint venture. The matter was favorably resolved.
• Represented an A-list comedian in a dispute with a publishing company arising out of a podcast agreement. The matter was favorably resolved.
• Represented legendary folk musicians The Kingston Trio in a trademark and licensing dispute arising out of the permissible use of the band name. The matter was favorably resolved.
• Regularly represents fashion models and modeling agencies in contractual and employment disputes.
• Regularly represents film financiers, producers, and creative artists in profit participation audit disputes arising out of revenue and expense accounting in the film and television industries. Mr. Harman has successfully recovered millions of dollars for his clients.
• Regularly represents film and television executives in employment disputes with studios and production companies, including in connection with severance claims, discrimination claims, retaliation claims, wage and hour disputes, and other claims of wrongful termination.
• Regularly represents creative artists in disputes with the WGA and AMPAS.
• Regularly represents some of the top social media influencers in a variety of disputes including defamation, privacy matters and contractual matters.
• Regularly represents business and creative managers and agents in commission disputes with artists and other managers.