Patricia L. Glaser

Glaser is a fighter who doesn't give up. So it's fitting that among her clients is the inventor of the classic board game The Game of Life, Reuben Klamer, who she is defending against claims by the widow of another inventor that Klamer cut her out of at least $2 million in royalties.

"It's an [intellectual property] case, and we have a week of court-ordered depos coming up," Glaser said. The case is venued in Rhode Island federal court. Markham Concepts Inc. v. Hasbro Inc., 1:15-cv-00419 (D. R.I., filed Oct. 2, 2015).

The self-assured TV cop Nash Bridges has a real-life parallel in the bold and confident Glaser. She represents Rysher Entertainment LLC in a dispute with former parent Cox Media Group Inc. over a $19 million payout to actor Don Johnson for the "Nash Bridges" television franchise. "We won summary judgment and the case then settled" for a confidential amount, she said. Rysher Entertainment LLC v. Cox Media Group Inc., BC517198 (L.A. Super. Ct., filed Aug. 2, 2013).

She's lead counsel for plaintiff Himelsein Mandel Fund Management LLC in a suit alleging breach of fiduciary duty by defendant hedge fund Fortress Investment Group LLC over a failed joint venture. The plaintiffs alleged that Fortress reneged on a promise to extend a $65 million credit facility, declared an improper default and misappropriated proprietary information.

Following a four-week bench trial, the judge ruled for Glaser's opponent on partial summary judgment, holding that the parties' contracts would be enforced as written under the law the sophisticated parties had chosen. Himelsein Mandel Fund Management LLC v. Fortress Investment Group LLC, BC495595 (L.A. Super. Ct., filed Nov. 13, 2012).

Glaser refused to concede defeat. She described the setback as "sort of a split decision, and we are appealing the court's denial of our right to a jury - the other side will probably appeal as well."

The game of life, in a larger sense, is one Glaser plays with gusto. "Every once in awhile, I'm smart enough to pinch myself," she said. "I can't believe I'm getting to do all this wonderful stuff and get paid for it too."

- John Roemer