Thomas (Tom) Francis Garvin, 68, of Los Angeles CA, passed away on July 5, 2024.

Tom was born on December 3, 1955, to Robert and Frances Garvin in Miami Beach FL. Tom graduated from Jesuit Preparatory High School in Dallas TX where he was a champion debater.

He went on to study Political Science and Communication Arts at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), on a debate scholarship, earning two B.A. degrees and graduating Magna Cum Laude. While at LMU, he was active in the student government and organizing and producing several rock concerts held at the university, featuring Fleetwood Mac, The Electric Light Orchestra, and Jackson Browne.

After graduation he went to the University of California San Francisco Law School where he was a clerk for Justice Cecil Poole and an editor of the law review. He received a J.D. degree and passed the California Bar Exam on the first attempt.

Tom practiced law at the law firm of Loeb & Loeb for two years, leaving to join the law firm of Ervin, Cohen, and Jessup (ECJ) where he became a law partner. In 1997, he left ECJ to start his own law firm, Garvin, Davis, and Benjamin.

Tom was active for many years in the International Bar Association, serving as chair of the Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law Committee and organizing conference sessions at international venues. He ensured lively discussions and built up the network of specialist lawyers around the world. He served six years on the Executive Committee of the Taxation Section of the California State Bar including as chair in1996.

Tom assisted in the organization and achievement of the yearly Producer’s Conference for the Sundance Institute. He was key in selecting distinguished speakers, thus assuring interesting/diverse topics for discussion. He also taught film marketing at the UCLA Film School for 6 years. For several years, Tom was the legal representative for transactions in the United States for the New Zealand Film Commission.

Tom advised on a multitude of legal and tax topics. He was actively involved in a large number of projects involving the financing of film productions and music catalogs, as well as corporate restructurings around the world, from the US to Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium and the Netherlands. He had a great ability to familiarize himself with the issues at hand and to provide legal assistance in countries other than the U.S. With his thorough understanding of economics and business sense, his involvement was often much more than just as a lawyer.

For many years, Tom worked as a sales agent for independent films. Some of the films he handled included American Dream, which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary (Feature), Central Station (1998) which won the Golden Globe Award. Other notable films included The Funeral (1984), and A Taxing Woman (1987) for director Juzo Itami.

In 1975, he met the love of his life for 49 years, Ann Schuler, introduced by friends while they were at LMU. Their love for each other never waned. They spent 37 years traveling the world and visited over 50 countries.

Tom loved music, film, travel, and especially his many, many friends from across the globe. His travels took him from the top of Norway to Antarctica, from Africa to Australia, from Europe to Southeast Asia and more.

In the last eight years, Tom endured several health issues with equanimity, but which greatly limited his ability to travel and visit with his friends.

Tom will be remembered for his unfailing generosity made without expectations. He described friendship as “Showing Up. Just Showing Up.” He was a wonderful host and his parties, especially those coinciding with the AFM, were legendary. He loved to dance, and he loved life. He will be greatly missed.

In lieu of a traditional memorial service, Tom has requested to “have a great big party” which will take place at a future date in both Los Angeles and London, England.

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