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Munger, Tolles & Olson

Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP is an elite American law firm headquartered in , , specializing in high-stakes litigation, complex corporate transactions, and regulatory matters, with approximately 200 attorneys across offices in , , and Founded in 1962 by Charles T. Munger and six other partners, including Edwin Leroy Tolles, the firm originated as a boutique practice emphasizing ingenuity and client-focused results in challenging legal disputes. The firm has earned distinction for its selective hiring—75% of attorneys have clerked for federal or state judges, including 15 former clerks to the U.S. Supreme Court—and its track record of representing companies such as , , and in precedent-setting cases. It has topped The American Lawyer's ranking a record 11 times for overall excellence in litigation, work, diversity, and associate satisfaction, while also ranking as the most selective law firm per surveys. , a co-founder who later departed to pursue investing and , instilled a culture of multidisciplinary thinking and ethical rigor that persists, though the firm evolved its name to include active partner Ronald L. Olson, who continues to lead in media and entertainment counseling. Beyond commercial practice, Munger, Tolles & Olson maintains a robust commitment, litigating matters involving voting rights, , and racial justice, which has contributed to its high rankings on pro bono scorecards. The firm's defining strength lies in tackling multifaceted disputes for clients ranging from financial institutions to academic entities, often delivering creative resolutions in areas like financial restructuring and antitrust enforcement.

History

Founding and early years

Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP was founded on February 1, 1962, in by a group of seven attorneys, including Charles T. Munger, E. Leroy Tolles, and Roderick M. Hills, who had defected from the firm Musick, Peeler & Garrett to establish a new practice emphasizing high-quality legal work. The founding partners envisioned a firm dedicated to complex litigation and corporate matters, drawing on their prior experience in , antitrust, and general , with an initial focus on serving California-based clients in industries such as and finance. In its early years, the firm operated from modest quarters with a lean structure, prioritizing merit-based partnerships and intellectual rigor over rapid expansion, which allowed it to build a reputation for handling sophisticated cases despite starting small. , who contributed to the firm's foundational governance by advocating for structures that rewarded long-term and client , departed in 1965 after three years to pursue opportunities, leaving Tolles and Hills to steer initial growth. This transition marked the firm's shift toward deepening its corporate and litigation practices, with the addition of associates like in 1968, who later became a name partner and expanded its appellate and advisory capabilities. By the late , the firm had renamed to reflect evolving partnerships, including Munger, Tolles, Hills & Rickershauser, solidifying its base in amid California's burgeoning legal market.

Charlie Munger's involvement and departure

Charles Thomas Munger co-founded , Tolles & Olson on February 1, 1962, in , , alongside six other attorneys, including Roy E. Tolles, Roderick M. Hills, Carla Hills, Richard Esbenshade, and Fred Warder Jr.. Initially named Munger, Tolles, Hills & Rickershauser, the firm was established as a litigation-focused practice emphasizing high-quality appellate and trial work, reflecting Munger's vision for a operation prioritizing intellectual rigor over volume.. Munger, who had practiced law briefly after and a stint in , served as a named partner and contributed to early casework, including complex commercial disputes, while simultaneously managing his investment activities.. The firm's structure under Munger incorporated innovative partnership incentives, such as tied to long-term performance, which he later credited with fostering loyalty and merit-based advancement.. Munger departed the firm in 1965 after approximately three years as an active partner, transitioning fully to .. His exit was driven by a growing focus on equity investing; he had already formed Wheeler, Munger & Co. in 1962, which managed significant assets and generated strong returns, prompting him to prioritize business ventures over legal practice.. This move aligned with his meeting in 1959, evolving into a collaboration that culminated in Munger's advisory role at starting in 1978, though his departure from the firm predated that formal position.. Despite leaving active practice, Munger's name remained on the firm, which evolved into Munger, Tolles & Olson with the addition of Ronald L. Olson in 1968, and he occasionally provided informal guidance in later decades.. The firm's enduring success, including consistent top rankings in litigation, has been partly attributed to the foundational principles Munger instilled during his tenure..

Growth and expansion

Following Munger's departure in the mid-1960s, Munger, Tolles & Olson pursued deliberate expansion, growing from its founding cohort of seven partners to approximately 200 attorneys by 2024. This increase reflected organic development through selective lateral hires, promotions, and a focus on recruiting judicial clerks, with 75% of attorneys having clerked for federal or state judges. The firm's attorney headcount stood at 178 in 2023 before rising in subsequent years amid revenue growth from $306.8 million in 2023 to $376.2 million in 2024. Geographic expansion began with the establishment of a San Francisco office, enhancing the firm's presence in Northern California, followed by the opening of a Washington, D.C. office in 2016 under the leadership of former U.S. Solicitor General Donald B. Verrilli Jr. This East Coast foothold targeted complex regulatory and appellate matters, aligning with the firm's litigation strengths, and has since grown through additions like former Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget Fitzpatrick in 2025. The three-office model—Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.—supports a national practice without aggressive global outreach. In parallel, the firm broadened its practice areas beyond core litigation, notably investing in corporate capabilities. A key milestone came in 2025 with the hire of Andrew D. Garelick, a mergers and acquisitions specialist from O'Melveny & Myers who advised on Disney's $4.5 billion Lucasfilm acquisition, to spearhead corporate expansion. Additional 2025 recruits, including corporate attorney Nicole Howell as of counsel and former U.S. Attorney E. Martin Estrada as partner, further diversified expertise in transactions and enforcement matters. These moves complemented internal promotions, such as four attorneys elevated to partner in early 2025, sustaining collegial governance amid controlled growth.

Organizational structure and firm culture

Partnership incentives and governance

Munger, Tolles & Olson employs a distinctive partner compensation system originally designed by founding partner Charlie Munger to foster meritocracy and alignment with firm success, eschewing traditional models reliant on seniority, fixed shares, or subjective committees. Each year, partners submit confidential ballots proposing compensation levels for every partner, with the aggregate required to equal the firm's net income; these proposals emphasize contributions such as business origination, client representation quality, and overall value added, rather than billable hours or tenure. Votes are cast collectively among the partners—approximately 62 as of recent practice—and tallied into a transparent grid revealing rankings, after which a review committee adjusts final figures to ensure equity while permitting significant variance, such as the highest-paid partner earning at least five times the lowest. This peer-driven, visible process, in place for nearly six decades, incentivizes collaboration and honest assessments, mitigating risks like internal politics or free-riding common in other law firms. The system's emphasis on merit over extends to promotion to , where associates are recruited with the of eventual based on demonstrated excellence in matters, rather than a rigid up-or-out track; the firm maintains a deliberately low leverage ratio, approximating 1:1 to associates, to prioritize quality work and involvement over volume. operates through a management committee that handles operational decisions, supplemented by open firm-wide meetings soliciting input from all attorneys, including juniors, to promote transparency and collective accountability without hierarchical dominance. aligns incentives by tying distributions directly to firm-wide performance, yielding high per-partner profits—reported at $2.1 million in 2021—while discouraging siloed practices through the social pressures of peer voting. This structure has contributed to the firm's repeated recognition on The American Lawyer's for overall excellence.

Offices, size, and operational model

Munger, Tolles & Olson maintains three offices located in , , and , supporting its nationwide litigation and appellate practice. The Los Angeles headquarters is situated at 350 South Grand Avenue, 50th Floor, while the San Francisco office occupies 560 Mission Street, 27th Floor, and the Washington, D.C. office is at 601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 500E. These locations enable the firm to serve clients across key U.S. jurisdictions without expanding to additional cities, emphasizing a concentrated operational footprint. As of 2024, the firm employs approximately 200 attorneys, including around 74 partners, distributed across its three offices. This size positions Munger, Tolles & Olson as a mid-sized elite firm, ranking 240th in the National Law Journal's 2025 NLJ 500 by headcount with 179 attorneys. The firm deliberately limits growth to preserve its selective hiring and high-quality focus, with over 75% of attorneys having clerked for federal or state judges. Operationally, Munger, Tolles & Olson operates as a single-tier , rejecting the multi-tier structures common in larger firms to foster and ownership among partners. It maintains a low-leverage model with a relatively low partner-to-associate ratio, prioritizing trial readiness and substantive work over high-volume associate staffing. This approach supports a collaborative culture where partners share in and compensation is tied to collective performance rather than rigid hierarchies.

Legal practice

Core practice areas

Munger, Tolles & Olson maintains a focused portfolio of practice areas emphasizing complex litigation and related advisory services, rather than a broad transactional base. Litigation constitutes the firm's foundational strength, encompassing high-stakes civil disputes resolved through bench trials, jury trials, and mechanisms, with representation spanning industries such as , , and . The practice handles matters including general commercial conflicts, mass torts, class actions, and defenses, often involving innovative strategies tailored to large-scale cases. Appellate advocacy forms another cornerstone, with attorneys litigating appeals before federal circuits, state supreme courts, and the , drawing on extensive experience in preserving victories or overturning adverse rulings. Antitrust enforcement and counseling address issues, including merger reviews, cartel investigations, and private litigation under statutes like the Sherman Act, serving clients facing regulatory scrutiny from agencies such as the Department of Justice or . White collar defense and sensitive investigations represent a specialized domain, involving internal probes, government inquiries, and prosecutions related to , , and failures, with a track record of guiding corporate executives and entities through FCPA matters and examinations. Labor and employment practices cover disputes over , non-compete agreements, wage-and-hour claims, and workplace policies, including representation in and EEOC proceedings. Financial restructuring provides counsel on proceedings, , and out-of-court workouts for distressed companies, emphasizing pragmatic resolutions to maximize value. Intellectual property litigation, particularly in patents, copyrights, and trademarks, supports clients in enforcing or defending rights amid technological and creative industry disputes, often intersecting with eDiscovery and protocols to manage voluminous . and practices advise on cybersecurity incidents, under laws like GDPR and CCPA, and breach response, integrating with broader risk management to mitigate litigation exposure from data mishandling. While not exhaustive, these areas reflect the firm's selective approach, prioritizing depth in over generalized corporate services.

Representative clients

Munger, Tolles & Olson has represented major financial institutions including and in securities and investor disputes. The firm has also advised in financial restructuring proceedings. In the energy sector, it defended Pacific Gas & Electric Company in a multibillion-dollar criminal case stemming from wildfires, enabling the utility to avoid conviction and continue operations. Other notable clients include technology companies such as and , for whom the firm has handled restructuring and litigation matters, including dismissing lawsuits against Airbnb related to housing policies. , an offshore drilling contractor, and , a , have also retained the firm for complex disputes and bankruptcy-related advice. These representations span high-stakes litigation, corporate transactions, and regulatory challenges across industries like , , and media.

Industry rankings and recognition

Munger, Tolles & Olson has consistently received high marks in major legal industry rankings, particularly for its litigation and appellate practices. In the 2025 Vault Law 100 rankings, the firm placed 43rd overall among U.S. law firms, reflecting its selectivity and in associate satisfaction and prestige metrics. It also topped 's 2025 Most Selective Law Firms list, underscoring its rigorous hiring standards, with over 75% of attorneys having clerked for federal or state judges. The firm earned 60 rankings across the 2025 Chambers USA, Chambers Global, and Chambers Crisis & Risk Management guides, covering practice areas such as antitrust, bankruptcy/restructuring, energy regulation, litigation (general commercial, securities, white-collar), and appellate law. Chambers USA specifically recognized MTO in Band 1 for nationwide appellate litigation and high-stakes commercial disputes, attributing this to the firm's track record in and federal appeals. In the 2025 Best Law Firms rankings by Best Lawyers and , Munger, Tolles & Olson secured national rankings in 22 practice areas, including appellate practice, commercial litigation, and white-collar criminal defense, alongside 29 regional rankings primarily in . named it No. 1 on its for the fourth consecutive year in 2024 (with 2025 data affirming continuity), evaluating work, diversity, associate satisfaction, and revenue growth. Additional recognitions include top-tier placement in The Legal 500 2025 for appellate courts of appeals and litigation, based on peer and client feedback for handling complex, high-profile cases. The firm was also honored in The American Lawyer's 2025 Industry Awards for impactful contributions in categories like litigation .

Notable personnel

Prominent current partners

Brad D. Brian serves as chair of Munger, Tolles & Olson, overseeing the firm's strategic direction while maintaining an active practice in complex civil and criminal litigation. A Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, Brian has been recognized multiple times in rankings such as the Business Journal's Top 100 Lawyers list, including in 2024 and 2025, for his expertise in high-stakes trials involving commercial disputes and torts. Hailyn J. Chen and Malcolm A. Heinicke act as co-managing partners, leading firm operations since their appointment in 2019. , a litigation specializing in complex business disputes, white-collar investigations, and matters, has been named a finalist for Managing Partner of the Year in both The American Lawyer's 2023 Industry Awards and Corporate Counsel's 2025 Women in Influence & Power in Law Awards. Heinicke, based in the office, focuses on complex litigation, class actions, and employment disputes, earning inclusion in the Daily Journal's 2025 Top Labor and Employment Lawyers list and recognition for public service on the board. Ronald L. Olson, a name partner and senior litigator, continues to counsel on high-profile corporate and litigation matters, blending trial work with advisory roles for major clients. Olson's prominence is underscored by his repeated selection to Lawdragon's Leading Litigators lists, including for complex litigation in 2024. Other notable partners include Gregory Stone, recognized for patent, antitrust, and unfair competition work, and Donald Verrilli, a former U.S. known for appellate advocacy.

Key alumni and their achievements

Roderick M. Hills, a founding partner of Munger, Tolles & Olson in 1962, left the firm to serve as Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from 1975 to 1977 under President Gerald Ford, where he focused on reducing regulatory burdens and improving enforcement efficiency. After his SEC tenure, Hills held executive roles, including CEO of Rolling Stone magazine from 1980 onward and positions at Sears, Roebuck and Co., contributing to corporate governance reforms. Carla Anderson Hills, who co-founded the firm as a name partner from 1962 to 1974 alongside her husband Roderick Hills, advanced to high-level government positions including U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from 1975 to 1977, where she managed urban policy amid fiscal constraints, and U.S. Trade Representative from 1993 to 1997, leading negotiations that integrated North American markets. Her antitrust and securities litigation experience at the firm informed her later roles in international trade policy. Alan Bersin, a partner at the firm from 1974 to 1992 specializing in complex litigation including and securities cases, subsequently served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of from 1993 to 1998, prosecuting cross-border crime and , and later as Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection from 2010 to 2011 followed by for Policy at the Department of Homeland Security until 2014, overseeing border security strategies. Currently, Bersin is Executive Chairman of Altana AI, applying his legal and policy expertise to technology governance. Jeffrey Bleich, a partner at Munger, Tolles & Olson for 17 years prior to 2009 focusing on high-stakes technology litigation and complex dispute resolution, was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Australia from 2009 to 2013, strengthening bilateral alliances on security and trade amid regional tensions. He has also served as a federally appointed Special Master in multidistrict litigation and held roles such as Chief Legal Officer at Cruise LLC, leveraging his appellate and trial advocacy skills from the firm. The firm counts over 25 alumni in judicial roles, including Associate Justice Carl H. Moor of the California Court of Appeal, who joined Munger, Tolles & Olson in 2001, was appointed to the in 2013, and elevated to the appellate bench in 2018, handling civil and criminal appeals.

Notable cases and representations

Landmark litigation victories

Munger, Tolles & Olson has achieved notable successes in complex litigation, particularly in appellate courts and high-stakes trials involving antitrust, energy, and disputes. One prominent victory occurred on September 24, 2024, when the firm secured a landmark appellate ruling for in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, overturning prior adverse decisions in environmental litigation related to refinery operations. In antitrust matters, MTO obtained a landmark on July 7, 2025, for Company in a long-running, multifaceted case alleging price-fixing in rail freight services, resolving claims that spanned over a decade and involved billions in potential liability. This outcome was hailed as a significant defense win in one of the most complex antitrust litigations in recent history. The firm also earned recognition for a top verdict in a mass case, securing one of the largest awards of statutory on both per-work and total bases ever recorded, as determined by court evaluators. In another appellate milestone, on May 8, 2024, MTO prevailed for in the Court of Appeal, limiting exposure in a major environmental contamination suit. Additional landmark defenses include a June 14, 2024, ruling in Superior Court dismissing claims against by multiple school districts in social media addiction litigation, marking a key early win in nationwide suits against tech platforms. On October 17, 2025, MTO secured a victory for cardroom operators in a federal tribal gaming dispute, affirming their rights against compact expansions favoring tribal exclusivity. These cases underscore MTO's appellate prowess, often resolving disputes at early stages to avert protracted trials.

Appellate and Supreme Court involvements

Munger, Tolles & Olson maintains a specialized appellate practice that routinely handles high-stakes appeals across federal and state courts, including matters involving , energy infrastructure, voting rights, and class-action defenses. The firm has secured victories in landmark cases, such as overturning a lower court ruling on Delaware's absentee and laws on June 28, 2024, when the reversed a decision challenging the state's procedures. In another significant win, on April 26, 2024, the firm achieved reversal for the for Reconstruction and Development () in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. , affirming in a dispute over awards. In federal appellate courts, MTO represented in a Ninth Circuit appeal decided on September 24, 2024, where the court issued a published opinion vacating a district court order and remanding for further proceedings in an environmental compliance dispute. The firm also prevailed for in a California Court of Appeal decision on May 8, 2024, limiting liability in a pipeline spill case through a published ruling on causation standards. Earlier, in January 2024, MTO's appeal in the D.C. Circuit for rejected the SEC's denial of a spot bitcoin exchange-traded product, directly enabling the agency's subsequent approval of such products in a pivotal ruling for cryptocurrency markets. At the U.S. Supreme Court level, MTO's involvement has included defending race-neutral admissions policies at University of California institutions; on February 20, 2024, the Court denied certiorari in a challenge to these programs, preserving their implementation post-Students for Fair Admissions. The firm has also filed amicus briefs, such as one in July 2024 alongside the National Health Law Program supporting petitioners in a health access case. In state supreme courts, MTO secured affirmance on March 10, 2025, in the Delaware Supreme Court upholding dismissal of a Skechers shareholder derivative suit alleging fiduciary breaches. Additionally, the firm successfully appealed a $1.5 billion judgment against a bank accused of aiding the Petters Ponzi scheme in federal appellate proceedings.

Criticisms and adverse outcomes

In May 2024, former Gigi Ruegsegger filed a against Munger, Tolles & Olson in (Case No. 24STCV12988), alleging wrongful termination in June 2023 as retaliation for requesting accommodations and leave under the Family Rights Act to care for an elderly parent. The complaint asserts seven causes of action, including retaliation, based on and , failure to provide reasonable accommodations, failure to prevent , and wrongful termination in violation of ; Ruegsegger, who had worked at the firm intermittently since 1989, claims her was pretextual amid broader staff reductions. The case remains pending as of October 2025, with no reported settlement or judicial ruling. In April 2015, a former initiated litigation against the firm in , claiming discharge after raising complaints about an unsustainable workload imposed by a litigation , which allegedly violated labor protections and constituted retaliation. The suit highlighted demands for extended hours with minimal breaks, framing the termination as adverse action against internal grievances. No public record of resolution, such as a or , has surfaced, consistent with many disputes handled privately. In early 2018, Munger, Tolles & Olson drew criticism for mandating that incoming summer associates execute agreements encompassing and claims under Title VII, including clauses enforcing confidentiality over proceedings and outcomes. Legal commentators argued the policy impeded transparency and victim advocacy in the #MeToo era by potentially concealing patterns of misconduct and deterring public accountability. The firm rescinded the requirement shortly thereafter amid backlash from media and professional networks.

Recent developments and impact

Post-2023 transitions

In April 2024, Munger, Tolles & Olson lost nearly its entire corporate and transactional practice group in , as 17 attorneys—including nine partners and two counsel—departed to join . This exodus, which accounted for roughly 10% of the firm's partnership, effectively dismantled its dedicated corporate department and shifted focus toward its core litigation strengths. The departing team, led by partners such as Rob Williamson and Mark Romig, specialized in , , and transactions. characterized the hire as a key expansion of its global deals platform in the U.S. market, particularly in . Subsequently, the firm bolstered its appellate and government-facing practices through strategic hires. On October 20, 2025, Bridget Fitzpatrick, former Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia and a federal prosecutor, joined as a partner in the Washington, D.C. office, bringing expertise in white-collar defense and complex investigations. No other major lateral departures or large-scale group moves were reported through October 2025.

Pro bono and public interest work

Munger, Tolles & Olson dedicates over 6% of its attorneys' billable time to work, encouraging lawyers to select cases aligned with their personal interests while committing to litigate them through trial and appeals, up to the U.S. level. The firm is a charter signatory to the American Bar Association's challenge, reflecting a policy of substantial institutional support for such efforts. In 2023, MTO attorneys and staff handled 198 matters, accumulating 41,897 hours, with partners and associates averaging 136.8 hours per person. These contributions have earned repeated high rankings in 's annual Scorecard, including No. 1 for average hours in 2023, in 2024, and No. 5 overall in 2025. The firm received the Pro Bono Institute's 2024 John H. Pickering Award for sustained excellence and the 2025 OneJustice Champion of Justice Award for community impact through and volunteerism. Pro bono efforts focus on public interest areas such as voting rights, , racial and , housing access, , and LGBTQIA+ protections. Notable examples include a 2022 complete in a federal criminal defense case alongside public defenders; a January 2022 victory before the California Supreme Court establishing in a habeas ; a December 2020 Ninth Circuit win securing for an client; a July 2022 appellate ruling expanding journalists' access to juvenile records in child death investigations; and a seven-year collaboration with the ACLU of in People v. Rackauckas, advancing prosecutorial accountability standards.

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