Power Lawyers 2012

After 50-plus years in practice (his first client was Raquel Welch), Hirsch still got excited about finding a U.S. distributor for producer Thomas Langmann's little film The Artist. "We had a black-and-white silent movie that we all knew was great, but we had to make sure the buyer knew that," he notes of the eventual best picture Oscar winner. "We chose Harvey [Weinstein] because we knew he would put it across to the Academy and get it noticed." The fierce negotiator and licensed therapist (he married client Julia Roberts to Danny Moder in 2004) says the two careers complement each other. "I understand human behavior through my studies in psychology," he says, helping secure innovative deals for such clients as Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer and Sofia Coppola.

➻ Worst thing ever said to me "You mean, aside from 'F-- you'?"

LIST: THR's Power Lawyers 2012

PHOTOS: Christian Bale, Lindsay Lohan Pose With Their Lawyers