It's almost impossible to exaggerate the obstacles Barclays' lawyers faced in the $13 billion Lehman 'windfall' litigation: claims by three different plaintiffs represented by three powerhouse firms; a judge openly skeptical of the bank's core argument; and a disjointed trial schedule that stretched over six months. Yet in the end the bank prevailed in upholding a deal that helped shape the unfolding of the great recession.

Critics of business method patents were none too happy on Friday, when the Federal Circuit once again endorsed a controversial patent owned by Ultramercial LLC. But the case could be a vehicle for the U.S. Supreme Court to limit the patent-eligibility of business method patents next term.