Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan set the tone for 2013 on Jan. 24, winning reversal on appeal of a $172 million trade-secrets verdict against client Mattel Inc. But the Barbie maker still had to pay $137 million in attorney fees to Bratz doll manufacturer MGA Entertainment Inc. over copyright claims it lost at trial.

“It was significant,” Quinn partner David Nelson said while acknowledging, “It wasn’t a complete victory. Those are the kinds of cases we do.”