Latham & Watkins announced Wednesday that it had poached a pair of high-profile litigators for its downtown and Century City offices.

The firm said Thomas Nolan and Joshua Hamilton, formerly of Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom and Paul Hastings respectively, would join Latham effective immediately.

Nolan is a veteran trial attorney who has represented a slate of big name clients over the years. He led the litigation team for Van Nuys-based MGA Entertainment Inc. in the dispute with El Segundo’s Mattel over the Bratz line of dolls. He also led the defense of Toyota Motor Corp. and Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. when the companies were subject to a consumer class action over unintended vehicle acceleration. Nolan spent four years in Los Angeles’ U.S. Attorney’s Office in the late 1970’s where he ultimately was the head of the fraud and special prosecutions unit.

Nolan, who will work out of the Latham’s downtown office, said in a statement that he was looking forward to working with attorneys at his new firm after more than 12 years at Skadden.

“I am delighted to be joining Latham & Watkins’ exceptional team of litigators who consistently demonstrate the highest level of client service and who are fierce and accomplished advocates for their clients,” Nolan said in a statement. “With a dynamic and growing local litigation presence, the firm provides an ideal platform for me to continue to collaborate with talented colleagues across practices and offices who combine best-in-class legal acumen and business savvy.”

Hamilton has represented executives from mortgage giant Countrywide Financial Corp., now part of Bank of America Corp., in federal actions related securities and banking law violations. He will be based in Latham’s Century City office.

Deals & Dealmakers reporter Henry Meier can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @henry_meier.