How to Become an Attorney at O'Melveny & Myers: Career Advice and Insights

Summary

O'Melveny & Myers LLP is a law firm that has a long history stretching back to 1885 and a wide range of practice areas on offer. The firm is known for its commitment to public service and its involvement in important legal disputes both in the US and abroad. The firm has a wide range of locations around the world and an impressive list of notable legal victories.

O'Melveny & Myers LLP is an international law firm with roots that date back to 1885. It is a firm with a global reach and a commitment to public service. Its practice areas include labor and employment, intellectual property, litigation, bankruptcy, white-collar defense, real estate, and many more. Notable legal victories have earned the firm much respect, such as the 2001 victory in the Microsoft antitrust trial.

The firm is well established around the globe and has offices in places such as Los Angeles, Washington, DC; New York; London; Tokyo; Beijing; Seoul; San Francisco; Century City, CA; and Singapore. Professionals working for the firm have experience in a variety of areas and many of them are also seasoned litigators. The firm has an impressive list of awards and recognitions from various organizations.

O'Melveny & Myers LLP is an established firm with decades of experience and a long-standing commitment to public service and legal excellence. With a range of practice areas and offices worldwide, the firm offers a wealth of expertise and legal know-how. It has been recognized for its role in major legal disputes, such as the 2001 Microsoft antitrust trial and has earned numerous awards and accolades. The firm's professionals have a wealth of experience in a variety of areas, many of whom are highly experienced litigators. O'Melveny & Myers LLP is a reliable and respected firm renowned for its commitment to legal excellence.

Questions Answered In This Article

 

What type of law does O’Melveny & Myers specialize in?

O’Melveny & Myers is best known for its litigation department, though they also have strong real estate and intellectual property law practices.
 

What criteria do they use to make partnership decisions?

Partnership decisions at O’Melveny & Myers are based on an associate’s ability to bring business and their unique expertise to the firm.
 

Does O’Melveny & Myers have a dress code?

While O’Melveny&Myers has relaxed its atmosphere since merging with New York-based private equity firm O’Sullivan LLP, the dress code is still quite formal.
 

What kind of salaries can associates expect at O’Melveny & Myers?

Associates at O’Melveny & Myers receive competitive New York City-level salaries and bonuses ranging from $5,000 to $20,000.
 

What type of opportunities do O’Melveny & Myers typically hire for?

O’Melveny & Myers typically hires for positions such as Trusts & Estates Associate, Litigation Attorney, and Intellectual Property Associate. Recent firm needs have included a position in Los Angeles, one in New York, and one in San Francisco.
 

O'Melveny & Myers LLP: An Innovative Global Law Firm

O'Melveny & Myers LLP is a leading international law firm with offices in Beijing, Brussels, Century City, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Shanghai, Silicon Valley, and Washington, DC. Founded in 1885, O'Melveny's practice focuses on the highest levels of corporate, private equity, finance, and litigation in the areas of antitrust, intellectual property, privacy, labor and employment, white collar defense and corporate governance.

As one of the most innovative global law firms, O'Melveny & Myers' attorneys provide strategic and legal advice to the world's leading companies and financial institutions. The firm has established itself as a global leader in many industries, including finance, entertainment, technology, energy, chemicals, aerospace and automotive, and real estate. Through its offices in the United States, Asia, and Europe, the firm provides clients with comprehensive, regional, and specialized legal services.

O'Melveny's attorneys are well-versed in the corporate, securities, investment, and commercial law, and understand the importance of providing solutions to complex business and legal challenges. O'Melveny's attorneys are highly respected for their innovative and efficient legal solutions, which are tailored to the specific needs of the firm's clients. These solutions are often developed to meet the increasingly complex legal and business requirements of the firm's clients.

In addition to providing a full range of legal services, O'Melveny & Myers is committed to providing its clients with comprehensive insights into the legal implications of their business activities. The firm strives to ensure that its clients understand how the law applies to their businesses, and that they are equipped to make informed decisions in the face of legal challenges. The firm also provides timely advice on changes in the law and its effects on the firm's clients' businesses.
 

O'Melveny & Myers: Making an Impact on the Global Legal and Business Landscape

As an international law firm, O'Melveny & Myers is helping to shape the global legal and business landscape by delivering comprehensive legal solutions to its clients. The firm's attorneys have a deep understanding of the legal implications of domestic and international business transactions, allowing them to provide innovative, cost-effective solutions to their clients' needs. The firm also provides strategic advice and support to its clients as they navigate the ever-changing legal environment.

From its offices in Beijing, Brussels, Century City, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Shanghai, Silicon Valley, and Washington, DC, O'Melveny & Myers is positioned to provide valuable insights into the legal and business issues that arise in an international context. In addition to providing its clients with full-spectrum legal services, the firm has also established itself as a leader in areas such as white-collar defense, labor and employment law, antitrust, intellectual property, privacy, and corporate governance.

Between its corporate reputation and its celebrity clients, the Los Angeles firm of O'Melveny & Myers seems to be in an ideal position. As the nation's 15th largest law firm and the reigning recipient of the "Litigation Team of the Year" title by American Lawyer magazine, the firm has come a long way from its two-lawyer start up in 1885. Current chairman, Arthur B. Culvahouse, who now fills the position once held by one of the firm's most eminent members and former Secretary of State, Warren Christopher, has established his own prominence within the firm. His ascension could be referred to as the Second Coming since the firm has experienced unparalleled growth, with revenue breaking $500 million, behind his leadership.

Though strong in several practices such as real estate and intellectual property law, O'Melveny is best known for its litigation department. Some of its more renowned (and successfully litigated) cases include representing Ford Motor Company and Sony Pictures. O'Melveny also has an exceptional appellate practice that frequently represents clients at the Supreme Court level. The litigation practice, headed by Walter E. Dellinger, former Solicitor General and Assistant Attorney General, has been invited to represent Nike CEO Philip Knight as well as former Vice President Al Gore. O'Melveny also make sure not to sever its history of Old Hollywood ties. Its entertainment client roster has recently included Time, Inc., Disney, MGM, and CBS.

Although its 2002 merger with New York-based private equity firm O'Sullivan LLP has relaxed the firm, O'Melveny & Myers still seems to be holding onto its formal roots. The firm sponsors happy hours and caters a dining room in an effort to promote office congeniality, but dress codes and the general atmosphere are nowhere near the stereotypical Los Angeles firm. Instead, associates at O'Melveny report that the environment is a mix between corporate formality and west-coast liberalism. Associates find that they can expect a unique combination of brutal hours and a screamer-free environment.

Somewhere along graduating from a top law school and earning exceptional grades, O'Melveny requires its attorneys to have developed a winning personality. Describing the firm's hiring criteria as being tough is an understatement. While known to consider lower law schools, the firm rarely recruits law students from outside the top ten. And if getting hired was difficult, moving up the corporate ladder is closer to impossible. The mysterious partnership decisions seem to be based on an associate's ability to bring in business as well as to provide unique expertise to the firm. Once inside however, high standards mean that the chosen few at O'Melveny can expect intelligent and socially-adept co-workers.

With corporate work comes corporate salaries and O'Melveny is no exception to this rule. O'Melveny associates are well-paid for their sacrifices and bonuses range from $5,000 to $20,000. Although the $200,000 senior associates' salaries pale in comparison to the $1 million profit level of partners, associates are generally satisfied with their New York City-level paychecks. Summer associates also describe their compensation levels favorably, with trips to vineyards and luncheons with Warren Christopher being some of the highlights.

Jobs

Those looking to practice in one of O'Melveny's 13 international offices should search for up-to-date opportunities within the LawCrossing database. Recent firm needs have included a Trusts & Estates Associate position in Los Angeles, a Litigation Attorney in New York, and an Intellectual Property Associate in San Francisco.
 

• See Top 10 Reasons Most Law Firms Have No Idea How to Hire and Evaluate Patent Attorneys for more information.