LAWCROSSING FEATURED EMPLOYER OF THE WEEK
1. 800. 973.1177
Munger, Tolles & Olson [Marty Schultz-Akerson] Resisting the urge to grow at the rate of some of its peers, Munger Tolles has nonetheless earned a stellar reputation for its top-notch litigation department and its commitment to hiring the best and brightest.
Considered one of the most prestigious
Possibly the firm’s most famous litigator,
the basic MTO mold go through a number of
firms in California and home to a nationally
name partner Ronald Olson provides a shin-
interviews before the entire firm sits down to
acclaimed litigation department, Munger,
ing example of the MTO attorney. Reported
make the final decision. Even 10% disap-
Tolles & Olson, LLP, disproves the notion
to bring in upwards of $10 million a year in
proval could be cause for rejection.
that bigger is always better when it comes
major cases, Olson was recently counsel for
to law firms. Since its inception in 1962 in
such clients as Edison International in the
The stringent selection process appears to
Los Angeles, the firm has steered clear of
California electricity crisis and the Republic
pay off, and associates at MTO immediately
the rapid expansion so prevalent in the legal
of Philippines in a suit against the Marcos
enjoy a sophisticated workload due to the
industry recently and has added only one
family. He has arranged advantageous settle-
firm’s small size. That often translates into
new office in San Francisco. With 153 lawyers
ments for Merrill Lynch and Alyeska Pipeline
more responsibility for associates and, since
and close to an equal ratio of partners to
Services, avoiding billion dollar punitive
the more experienced lawyers have little
associates, MTO remains true to its found-
damages. As is common with MTO attorneys,
time to train newcomers, can feel like a
ers’ dedication to providing top-notch legal
Olson sets the standard for professional
birth-by-fire ritual. Nevertheless, those who
services in an efficient manner.
responsibility, devoting considerable time
survive say the system works better than
to pro bono legal services and playing an
more structured training methods and af-
Prestige often comes from whom you know,
important role in the development of cost-ef-
fords greater potential for growth.
as illustrated in the friendship between MTO
fective legal services as the Chairman of the
founder Charles Munger and the owner of
Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee
Compensation at MTO is the market rate and
Berkshire Hathaway billionaire Warren Buf-
from 1976-1986.
advancement is relatively fast, taking as little
fett. Munger eventually decided to leave the
as four years to make partner. The firm’s
firm to become Berkshire Hathaway’s vice
As a whole, MTO stands out for its substan-
commitment to over-achieving intellectual
president, but the ties did not break with his
tial commitment to pro bono work. Lawyers
lawyers might be said to hamper the social
departure, as MTO continues to represent
donate 3% of their time to worthy causes,
life, although there are weekly lunches and
the investment company in its legal affairs.
frequently representing prisoners on death
Friday night gatherings.
Other notable MTO clients include Universal
row, staffing legal clinics, and fighting for
Studios, Edison International, Shell Oil Co.,
broad social issues such as the elimination of
Perhaps the most unique feature about MTO
and Alyeska Pipeline Services.
the chad-producing punch cards in the Cali-
is the democratic nature of its management.
fornia voting system. The firm has received
As mandated by the firm’s seven founders
While MTO attorneys bring wide ranging
ample recognition for its socially responsible
in 1962, partners and associates alike share
expertise to their practice, the firm is best
endeavors from the ACLU, the ABA, and the
an equal vote when it comes to making deci-
known as a litigation heavyweight. Its reputa-
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights.
sions. The only downside to such a system
tion in that field is exemplified by the fact
is that decisions might take longer to make
that it is often called as counsel for other
Getting hired at MTO is a competitive pro-
law firms. For example, MTO successfully
cess. In addition to graduating from top law
less, for those seeking to work in a stimu-
represented Kirkland & Ellis in its entangle-
schools with impeccable GPAs, nearly one
lating, intellectual environment and have
ment in the Enron debacle, getting the firm
out of eight MTO lawyers were Supreme
considerable say in their firm’s direction,
dismissed from the securities class action
Court clerks and eleven out of the twelve
MTO might be just the place.
suit.
non-lateral hires in 2003 came from some clerkship position. Candidates who possess
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than in a more hierarchical firm. Neverthe-