Anyone following the litigation over the multibillion-dollar Bratz doll empire knows that the May trial will feature a battle of top legal wills. But behind the scenes, an equally willful battle has already been fought and lost.

Dollmaker MGA Entertainment is bringing Thomas Nolan of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom to face off against John Quinn of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges for rival toymaker Mattel; and John Keker of Keker & Van Nest for the man who designed the attitude-fueled dolls.