Firm Summary
Munger Tolles & Olson LLP
Since its founding in 1962, Munger Tolles & Olson has been careful to keep its growth in check — today the firm still only employs 200 attorneys in its Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. offices. The restrained size fits well with the firm’s unique management view and culture. Priding itself on its one-to-one partner-to-associate ratio, the firm functions as a collaborative whole, with all attorneys having a say in management matters that are typically not up for discussion at major law firms and a partnership track that’s notably shorter than that if its competitors. Munger Tolles & Olson focuses its expertise on a handful of solid practice areas, including corporate, bankruptcy, tax, labor and employment, real estate, and environmental, with a particularly strong showing in the areas of criminal defense, investigations, and appellate practice.
Firm Stats
- Firm Name
- Munger Tolles & Olson LLP
- U.S. Lawyer Headcount
- 193
- Headcount Change Since 2016
Overall
-32
Partner
-3
- Salary Scale
- Market
- Hours Required
- Unspecified
- Top Feeder Schools
- Harvard Law School, Stanford Law School, Yale Law School
- Average Lawyer Tenure at Firm (Years)
- 7.1
- Revenue Per Lawyer Change Over Five Years
- 7%
- Women Partners (as Percentage of U.S. Lawyer Headcount)
- 10%
- Women Partners (As a Percentage of U.S. Partnership)
- 23%
- Promotion Rate
- 2%
- Most Common Federal Case Types
- Contract, Finance, Bankruptcy
- Most Active Federal Jurisdictions
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
- Frequent Federal Litigation Clients
- BMO Harris Bank N.A., First Franklin Financial Corporation, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Firm Policies
Work/Life Balance
- 18 weeks primary caregiver leave
- 12 weeks family leave
- Flex and/or reduced hours
- Subsidized backup care/emergency dependent care
- Telecommuting
- Adoption assistance
Benefits and Perks
- Bar review course (BarBri, PMBR)
- Bar exam fees
- $10-12K bar stipend
- Up to $5K moving reimbursement; moving of car; house hunting services
- Mentoring
Superstars
Donald B. Verrilli, Jr.
Partner
The founder of the firm’s D.C. office, Verrilli is widely considered a titan of Supreme Court and appellate jurisprudence. In addition to handling high-profile Supreme Court and appellate matters, Verrilli focuses on advising clients on matters where litigation, regulation, and public policy intersect. Verrilli previously served as Solicitor General of the United States and as a legal advisor to President Barack Obama and the Attorney General.
Thomas B. Walper
Partner
A partner in the firm’s Los Angeles office, Walper is regarded as one of the top bankruptcy lawyers in the country and has received countless accolades and awards for his bankruptcy prowess. His practice focuses on representing debtors, creditors, and boards of directors both in and outside of bankruptcy, and Walper has been involved in many of the country’s largest chapter 11 cases.
Brad D. Brian
Chair
A senior partner in the firm’s Los Angeles and San Francisco offices, Brian is regarded as one of the nation’s top trial lawyers. An expert at complex civil and criminal litigation, Brian routinely advises Fortune 500 companies in high-profile lawsuits and government investigations, particularly relating to regulatory investigations, government contracts, public corruption, environmental law, and FCPA violations.
Kelly M. Klaus
Partner
A litigation partner in the firm’s San Francisco and Los Angeles offices, Klaus focuses on copyright and related litigation, including antitrust and class action litigation. Klaus is known for representing major motion picture studios, recording music companies, and other entertainment clients on high-profile litigation and IP matters, and has been repeatedly recognized as one of the top media and entertainment litigators in the country.
Above the Law Coverage
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These Biglaw Firms Are Officially Diversity Certified
Year 1 of a system to get Biglaw firms to consider women or minority candidates for leadership roles at the firm.
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Elite West Coast Firm Matches $190K Market Salaries — And Throws In Extra Money For Summer Associates
Will any other law firms match this one’s generosity towards summer associates? We certainly hope so.
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Biglaw Firm Tries To Force Summer Associates To Arbitrate Sexual Harassment Claims
This is absurd. Time’s up, Biglaw.
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Another High-Profile Hire For Munger Tolles
Another prominent government lawyer is joining the elite firm.
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Former Solicitor General Don Verrilli To Head Up D.C. Office For Surprising Biglaw Firm
An unexpected new venture for Don Verrilli.
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A Deeper Dive Into Don Verrilli’s Move To Munger Tolles & Olson
Why is Munger making this move, and what are the firm’s future plans?
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100 Biglaw Firms Putting Diversity On The Front Burner
Biglaw is working on its diversity problem.
The Law Firm Transparency Project draws upon Above the Law research as well as data provided by Leopard Solutions and UniCourt. Click here for an expanded methodology and definition of terms.
