Russell J. Frackman, 63

Entertainment, media law

Frackman entered uncharted territory this past year when he was lead counsel for the maker of the video game, "Grand Theft Auto." The game's satirical depiction of Los Angeles - Los Santos, as the game calls it - includes a strip club called the "Pig Pen," a parody featuring a similar sign of an actual club called the "Play Pen." The venue sued the game for trademark and trade dress infringement. Frackman argued the game's parody was fair use and that the First Amendment protected it. The case of first impression was dismissed on summary judgment in a victory for the burgeoning video game industry. Frackman also handled NBC Universal's copyright infringement enforcement during last summer's Olympic Games. He rounded out his time as chair of the Intellectual Property Institute, hosted by USC's Gould School of Law.