As the nation's 15th largest law firm and reigning recipient of the ''Litigation Team of the Year'' title by American Lawyer magazine, O'Melveny & Myers can offer a lot to those attorneys who can make it through its selective hiring process.
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.
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Facts
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Chicago office seeks associate with 5+ years of experience to join the General Litigation practice group. "This is a large, prestigious full service firm based in Chicago, with offices in two of the major cities in the East Coast and the Midwest. Its strong suit is handling corporate and finance, litigation, intellectual property, trusts & estates, product liability, real estate, environmental, tax, labor and employment and construction matters. The firm has an interesting ...
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