Thomas J. Nolan

He's has spent most of this year in an epic intellectual property showdown between his toy company client MGA Entertainment, maker of the famous Bratz dolls, and Barbie manufacturer Mattel. A federal court jury found against Nolan's client in July, deciding the company illegally worked with a Mattel employee on the doll concept. But Nolan ratcheted up his duel with Mattel lawyers at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges during the trial's damages phase. His arguments convinced jurors to cap their award at $100 million - a fraction of the nearly $2 billion Mattel sought.