This year, that job went to Washington superlawyer Billy Martin, who was tapped (pardon the pun) by both Sen. Larry Craig and NFL player Michael Vick when they ran afoul of the law.

Martin joined Sutherland Asbill & Brennan as a partner this spring, and he heads the firm’s White Collar Criminal Defense Practice. His bio notes his “diverse trial practice” and it’s hardly an exaggeration: It wasn’t long after joining the firm that Vick hired Martin after word got out about Vick’s links to a deadly dogfighting ring. Then, in September, Craig hired Martin after the Idaho Republican senator reputedly committed the most famous tap dance since “A Chorus Line.”

Representing high clients in low places is nothing new for Martin, however. Previous clients include Monica Lewinsky and basketball players Jayson Williams and Allen Iverson.

2. Ted Leonsis

It seems that everywhere you turn on the local philanthropy circuit, there’s AOL executive and Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis. Best Buddies? He’s there. YouthAIDS? Check. Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund? You bet.

But 2007 is the year that Leonsis became known for something else: A term he calls “filmanthropy.” In an effort to instigate social change, he’s produced two documentary films. “Nanking,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival last year, is on the short list for an Oscar nomination in the documentary category for its depiction of the horrors of the 1937 Japanese invasion of China. And his latest picture, “Kicking It,” which examines the 2006 Homeless World Cup, has already gotten the nod for a Sundance debut in January.

But Leonsis isn’t only generous with his charities and films: He’s been pretty generous to fans, too. Leonsis opened the Kettler Capitals Complex this year, bringing the Capitals’ practice facility closer to Washington. Fans can head to the Iceplex for a public skate and to watch the Caps practice.

3. Tony Snow, former W.H. press secretary

You may not agree with the policies of President George W. Bush, but even the most ardent critic of the Bush administration will likely concede that Tony Snow, who served as Bush’s press secretary from April 2006 to September 2007, not only mastered the art of media relations, he may have also redefined the role of White House spokesman.

When Snow entered the White House in 2006, it was clear that he was not going to be your average press secretary: He was funny, especially when compared with his predecessor, the dry and unsure Scott McClellan. He was human, wearing his ongoing struggles with cancer as both badge of honor and proof of mettle. He was emotional, tearing up on several occasions when discussing the effect cancer has had on his life. He was confident, often spitting reporters’ question back at the press gallery so that he could both deflect the issue and bring a journalist’s objectivity into question. But most importantly, he was happy, smiling, joking and laughing in a job that, on good days, is a grind.

When Dana Perino filled his shoes this September, she was quick to note: “It is bittersweet, of course, because we are all going to miss Tony Snow very much. And he mentions filling shoes, and I’ve said before, he leaves very big shoes to fill, and I only wear a size 6.”

4. Deborah Jeane Palfrey, aka the ‘D.C. Madam’

People love a salacious sex scandal, and Washington always has its fair share of them. This year, it was the adventures of Deborah Jeane Palfrey that kept Washingtonians guessing: Who is on the former escort service owner’s list? And what exactly does that mean? 

Palfrey ran Pamela Martin and Associates for 13 years but denies that it was a prostitution ring. The U.S. government disagrees, and, as it continues its case against her on prostitution and federal racketeering charges, Palfrey has done her best to make the case one of a powerful government unjustly attacking the little guy. 

So far, it’s not working, but both former State Department official Randall Tobias and Sen. David Vitter, R-La., admitted to using Palfrey’s service.

Palfrey claims that there are tens of thousands of names in her phone records so, rest assured, 2008 will be filled with more sexual speculation.

5. Sidney Harman

In 2007, Sidney Harman again proved that he’s a man of many talents.

His company, Harman International Industries, was a pioneer in high-fidelity technology and remains tops in its field.

But it was this year that allowed Harman to show his true devotion to the arts. His foundation, which he oversees with his wife, Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif., contributed $19.5 million toward the Shakespeare TheatreCompany’s new state of the art facility. It opened this fall with one of the year’s more impressive galas and was fittingly christened Sidney Harman Hall.

During 2007, Harman could often be seen at Shakespeare Theatre, quoting Shakespeare from memory. On one occasion, he even recited a fairy tale he wrote for his grandkids, composed solely of phrases coined by Shakespeare.

Considering that several performing groups, including the Washington Performing Arts Society and Ford’s Theatre, have already used the stages at the Harman Center for the Arts, it’s safe to say that Harman’s effect on Washington’s art scene is a large and long-standing one.