Starring Roles: Laterals of the Year

Dale Cendali

What do Harry Potter and Victoria's Secret have in common? They both rely on intellectual property guru Dale Cendali for help. In March the former chair of O'Melveny & Myers's New York IP and technology practice brought her wizardry to Kirkland & Ellis's New York office. Cendali is also leading the Associated Press's copyright suit against artist Shepard Fairey for his allegedly unauthorized use of an AP photo in the iconic Obama "Hope" poster—a case she brought with her from O'Melveny.

David Fox

Fox, reportedly one of Skadden's highest-paid partners, was well compensated for a reason. The M&A rainmaker has led several multibillion-dollar deals for clients, including Landmark Communications, Inc., in its $4 billion sale of The Weather Channel, Inc. He's also attempted the largest corporate takeover ever for client BHP Billiton Limited, though the company ultimately withdrew its $150 billion offer for Rio Tinto Limited.

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