Johanna Hyman

Transactional 

• Advised a craft beer company on the negotiation of merchandising deals, brand activations, and event sponsorships, including indemnity, insurance, and waiver considerations.
• Represented the author of a prominent musician’s biography in contract negotiations with a major film studio to secure IP rights for a biopic, advising on licensing, promotional uses, and ancillary rights.
• Served as IP counsel for high-profile visual artist, fashion designer, influencer, and architectural firm, including negotiation of collaboration and branding agreements with international apparel and retail brands and with sports and entertainment venues.
• Served as general outside counsel for a Chicago-based music, sports, media, and entertainment company, preparing non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements; negotiating licensing, sponsorship, and promotions agreements; reviewing vendor agreements; advising on employment issues; and drafting and advising sports- and entertainment-related management and agency agreements.
• Served as lead production counsel for an independent film company, completing IP clearance, drafting media releases, assessing fair use issues, and coordinating with insurers for E&O review.
• Served as trademark counsel for a diversified holding company that is the owner of commercial properties in Chicagoland with major interests in real estate, hospitality, and entertainment and venture start-ups.
• Performed contract review and environmental due diligence for a renewable energy developer acquiring solar projects in rural Minnesota, including title, lease, and zoning assessments.

Intellectual Property & Media Litigation

• Defended public relations firm from third-party claims for consumer fraud and unfair competition related to the development of brand design and slogan development.
• Defended sports-tech company against competitor’s claims related to false advertising and deceptive practices while affirmatively alleging misappropriation by competitor of client’s name, image, and likeness.
• Defended national retail company against claims for patent and trade dress infringement and brought affirmative claims for false designation of origin and consumer fraud.
• Represented a multinational company in a trademark dispute related to the design of instant film for instant cameras.
• Represented wine company in TTAB cancellation proceeding and subsequent federal trademark litigation.
• Defended restaurant delivery company in trademark dispute, successfully resolving matter prior to hearing on preliminary injunction.
• Served as trademark counsel defending concert promoter’s use of band name for promotional purposes.
• Represented IT consulting firm in a copyright and IP ownership dispute with its overseas outsourcing affiliate.

General & Commercial Litigation

• Regularly serve as local counsel to Am Law 100 firms in a variety of general commercial litigation matters in Minnesota Federal Court.
• Represent heirs of deceased musician and public figure in business- and estate-related disputes.
• Represent health care companies in breach of contract litigation with vendors and service providers.
• Represent restaurant and event venue pursuing claims for trespass, nuisance, defective construction, and negligence.
• Defend large communications company against claims for violations of Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
• Represented music producer in dispute with former manager and management company.
• Represented international mining company in numerous business, contract, and land disputes in federal and state courts and in arbitration.
• Represented luxury department store in landlord-tenant dispute and related Minnesota state court litigation.
• Represented Minnesota real estate developer before the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in resolving a disability discrimination claim.
• Represented defendant newspaper publishing company against breach of industrial lease related to claims of contamination of real property.

Financial Services Litigation

• Obtained complete defense verdict at trial for claims brought by insurance company against a national bank as trustee for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, conspiracy, and negligent misrepresentation.
• Defended a national bank against aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty claims related to a criminal fraud in Delaware Court of Chancery.
• Defended a national bank against fraudulent transfer claims brought by an assignee for the benefit of creditors for transfers made by agricultural cooperatives’ criminally convicted former manager.
• Represented a global investment bank against claim alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

• Minnesota’s Springboard for the Arts, Volunteer Attorney
• Advocates for Human Rights, Volunteer Attorney
• Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis, Volunteer Attorney
• Twin Cities Cardozo Society, Committee Member

• Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Banking and Finance, 2021-2024
• Minnesota Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2023-2024

• Minnesota Women Lawyers, Member & Partner Leadership Council Representative
• American Bar Association Forum on Sports and Entertainment Law