Gain Hands-on Experience as an Associate at Munger, Tolles & Olson

Summary

Law firm associates at Munger, Tolles & Olson (MTO) in Los Angeles benefit from an intensive front line experience in the dynamic legal atmosphere. The firm has a reputation for its hardworking, hands-on approach and its commitment to providing associates with plentiful opportunities for drafting and oral advocacy. Associates at MTO get unique experience in the courtroom and top notch training from experienced mentors.


At MTO, associates are given independence in their cases and are able to develop their potential through on-the-job experiences. They receive meaningful exposure to discovery, motion practice, written and oral advocacy, trial preparation and client management. During the first year of their associate program, associates learn about litigation, transactional and regulatory techniques. Mentors teach them how to prepare and execute complex legal strategies and how to use the firm's resources effectively. To supplement their practical training, associates attend CLEs, workshops and events designed to build their knowledge and skills.

MTO associates also receive individualized attention from mentors and senior partners, who provide guidance and feedback on their roles. Associates are encouraged to develop relationships with clients and work with the firm's attorneys to resolve complex legal matters. They learn to communicate effectively with clients and how to identify and develop solutions to legal issues. Through the firm's program, associates gain valuable experience in developing persuasive arguments and effective writing.

MTO's commitment to developing its associates and providing them with front line experience is one of the things that make the firm stand out from other law firms. Associates are given the opportunity to practice law in a fast-paced environment and interact with colleagues, clients, and judges that can provide valuable insight. The firm's program serves as a springboard to the associates' broader career in the legal field. At MTO, associates can hone their legal skills and contribute to the firm's reputation for excellence.

Munger Tolles Olson (MTO) is a law firm in Los Angeles that provides associates with front line experience. Associates at MTO are given independence in their cases and training from experienced mentors. MTO's intensive front line experience of drafting and oral advocacy helps associates build their knowledge and skills. Associates also receive individualized attention from mentors and are encouraged to build relationships with clients. The firm's program serves as a springboard to the associates' wider career in law. MTO is known for their hard working approach and commitment to providing associates with plentiful opportunities to hone their legal skills.
 

Front Line Experience at Munger, Tolles & Olson

When associates of the Los Angeles-based law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson accept their position, they gain the benefit of experiencing life on the front lines. This well-respected law firm, which opened its doors in 1962, has since grown to having offices in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. as well. As one of the top-rated law firms on the West Coast, they take great pride in their ability to mentor associates.
 

Become an Associate at Munger, Tolles & Olson

Associates at Munger, Tolles & Olson are given the unique chance to work on a variety of important cases and develop skills that can't be found in the law school classroom. They give associates the opportunity to interact with clients, build relationships, and get to the heart of a matter quickly. Associates are given the chance to use their knowledge, tools, and experience towards accomplishing successful resolution of cases and disputes.
 

Variety and Exposure to Different Law Areas

Associates at Munger, Tolles & Olson have the advantage of being able to work on cases within different areas of law. By combining the resources and knowledge of their partners, associates are able to develop valuable experience in different areas of law, such as corporate, tax, antitrust, and even white-collar criminal defense. Therefore, associates not only get to develop their practice in a specific area of law, but they also get to participate in a variety of cases.
 

Get Mentored By Experienced Attorneys

At Munger, Tolles & Olson, associates receive guidance from some of the finest attorneys in the country. The lawyers at this law firm have a wealth of experience and knowledge that they are willing to share with their associates. Associates are given the chance to work side-by-side with experienced lawyers, which allows them to learn how to conduct legal research, how to draft documents, as well as how to navigate within the court system.

The firm was established in 1962 by seven attorneys. These attorneys set out to create a firm that would stand out. First and foremost among their objectives was to establish a democratic environment. Next was to hire attorneys who were the smartest and most talented. Because Munger, Tolles & Olson remains a small firm, it can still exist as a democracy. One example of this is associates and partners having equal voting power when deciding whom to hire.

Munger, Tolles specializes in litigation but is heavily involved in disparate practice areas such as mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, and tax. Any firm with an office in Los Angeles would be remiss not to handle entertainment law. Among its clients in this arena are ABC, Universal Studios, and the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League. This shows again that even though Munger, Tolles may not have as many offices and employees as the big, international law firms, it is still a major player in the game.

Another characteristic that distinguishes the firm is the front-line experience afforded to new associates. Due to the relative paucity of attorneys, these green associates are thrust into the fray almost immediately, as there is no formal training program. Associates at Munger, Tolles learn by doing and then by assimilating that learning and subsequently teaching it to others. This approach hastens the learning curve and allows said associates to take on a fair amount of responsibility in a short period of time. One of the only drawbacks to this system is that more senior attorneys do not have the time to serve as mentors and provide feedback on the associates' performance.

As alluded to earlier, getting hired at the firm involves a rather interesting process. First, the candidate is subjected to a screening interview. This may be followed by a second, more focused interview. If these first two steps go swimmingly, the firm then thoroughly scrutinizes the candidate's background, looking for excellence and leadership in past activities. Finally, all attorneys at the firm will cast their votes, and a decision will be reached. A candidate must receive at least a 90% favorable vote to be tendered an offer.

Attorneys at Munger, Tolles are paid near the top of the market. Most, but not all, work long hours. Part-time associates are not shunned or phased out; they are integral parts of the firm. Turnover at the firm is actually quite low. So is the number of women and minorities working at Munger, Tolles. In fact, the percentages are extremely low in comparison to other firms. The firm is actively trying to remedy this discrepancy by targeting women and minorities in its recruiting, but the dilemma is that members of these groups must currently populate the firm in order to attract others.

Munger, Tolles manages to be a small firm that handles big-time clients. The firm actually chooses the work it wants, favoring the cases it feels will be interesting. Associates and partners alike enjoy the collegial atmosphere and scintillating work there.