Elizabeth J. Cabraser

Five years ago, an oil rig exploded and sank in the Gulf of Mexico, causing the largest marine spill in history. Government officials estimated the spill consisted of more than 4.9 million barrels of oil, and the leak was not contained until nearly two months after it began.

Cabraser stepped in to litigate on behalf of class members seeking to recover their economic loss and to determine liability. She is a court-appointed class counsel and is a member of the plaintiffs' steering committee.

Although BP plc admitted guilt in its involvement in 2012, Cabraser said the cases surrounding the spill have been a "difficult battle."

"The swing in extent of liability was huge. Strategic decisions involving billions would be made," she said. We didn't know we'd have a settlement prior to trial and spent a year negotiating intensively."

In July, BP agreed to pay nearly $19 billion in fines, the largest settlement in U.S. corporate history, according to widespread media reports.

- SAUL SUGARMAN