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Munger, Tolles & Olson

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Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP
HeadquartersCalifornia Plaza
Los Angeles, California
No. of offices3
No. of attorneys200 (2023)[1]
Major practice areasLitigation, Appeals, White collar and investigations, Antitrust, Securities, Corporate, Tax, Real estate, Bankruptcy, Labor and employment, Environmental
Key peopleBrad Brian, Chairman

Hailyn J. Chen, Co-Managing Partner

Malcolm A. Heinicke, Co-Managing Partner
Revenue$306.8 million (2023) [2]
Profit per equity partner$2.2 million (2023)[2]
Date foundedFebruary 1, 1962
FounderCharlie Munger, Roy Tolles, Carla and Rod Hills, Dick Esbenshade, Fred Warder Jr.
Company typeLimited liability partnership
Websitehttps://www.mto.com

Munger, Tolles, & Olson LLP (MTO) is an American law firm founded in 1962 with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. The firm is known for handling litigation and corporate matters across multiple industries, including entertainment, technology, energy, healthcare, and financial services.[3]

MTO has been recognized by legal industry publications The American Lawyer and Chambers & Partners. The firm employs a notable percentage of former Supreme Court clerks compared to other U.S. law firms.

As of 2024, MTO employs approximately 200 attorneys across its three offices.[4]

History

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Munger, Tolles & Hills was established in Downtown Los Angeles' Tishman Building at the intersection of Flower Street and Wilshire Boulevard on February 1, 1962. The firm was founded by three former partners from Musick, Peeler & Garrett: Charlie Munger, E. Leroy Tolles, and Roderick M. Hills.

The founding group included two additional Musick attorneys, Richard Esbenshade and Frederick B. Warder Jr. as well as Carla Anderson Hills, who was serving as an assistant U.S. attorney at the time and was married to Roderick Hills.[5][6] James T. Wood, a sole practitioner with connections to the Hills family, also joined the founding team.[7][8][9]

In 1965, Charles Munger departed the firm to focus on investment management, forming a partnership with Warren Buffett and later becoming vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, which remained a client of the firm.[10] The addition of Charles E. Rickershauser Jr., a former clerk to Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, strengthened the firm's corporate practice and led to its renaming as Munger, Tolles, Hills & Rickershauser. Ronald Olson joined as an associate in 1968 and was elevated to partner in 1970.[11]

MTO expanded and opened an office in San Francisco in 1991.[12] In 2016, the firm employed former Solicitor General of the United States Donald B. Verrilli Jr. to establish its Washington, D.C. office.[13]

In 2019, the MTO underwent a leadership transition, appointing Malcolm Heinicke and Hailyn Chen as co-managing partners, succeeding Brad Brian and Sandra Seville-Jones. Brian was named as firm chair.[14] At the time of her election, Chen was only the second Asian woman to assume a leadership position at a major law firm.[15]

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MTO has represented various clients in complex litigation and corporate transactions. The firm's client portfolio includes major corporations across various sectors, such as technology (Google, Intel), entertainment (The Walt Disney Company), financial services (Bank of America, Fortress Investment Group), transportation (BNSF Railway), utilities (Pacific Gas & Electric), and conglomerates (Berkshire Hathaway).[1]

MTO employs a democratic management structure in which associates participate in firm operations and committee decisions.[13] The firm's hiring practices emphasize candidates with judicial clerkship experience, particularly those who have clerked for federal judges and Supreme Court justices.[16][13] In 2005, MTO reported that 19 of its attorneys had previously served as clerks for U.S. Supreme Court justices.[17]

Industry ranking

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MTO has appeared on The American Lawyer's A-List rankings multiple times between 2008 and 2024. The A-List evaluates U.S. law firms based on several metrics: revenue per lawyer, pro bono work, associate satisfaction, racial diversity, and gender diversity in equity partnerships.[18] The firm ranked first in the publication for 2008,[19][20] 2009,[21] 2010,[22] 2013,[23] 2017,[24] 2019,[25] 2020,[26] 2022,[27] 2023[28] and 2024.[18]

Notable representations

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Litigation

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  • Represented Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) in wildfire-related litigation (2017-2020), resulting in settlement agreements.[29][30]
  • Served as counsel for Vanessa Bryant in two significant cases:
    • Privacy litigation regarding crash site photographs, resulting in a $31 million jury verdict (2022)[31]
    • Wrongful death litigation against Island Express Helicopters regarding the January 2020 crash that resulted in nine fatalities[31]
  • Represented Grayscale Investments, LLC in successful appeal before the D.C. Circuit regarding bitcoin exchange-traded product approval.[32]
  • Defended BMO Bank N.A. in appellate litigation, securing reversal of a $1 billion judgment.[33]
  • Represented Snap, Inc. in litigation against public school districts regarding social media platform effects.[34]
  • Represented Plains All American Pipeline in appellate litigation regarding Santa Barbara oil spill restitution claims.[35]
  • Acted as counsel for Chevron in Ninth Circuit appeal regarding gasoline price-fixing class action.[36]
  • Defended View, Inc. in securities class action litigation.[37]
  • Represented Lyft, Inc. in dismissal of driver class action regarding pricing practices.[38]
  • Defended Figs Inc. in false advertising litigation regarding medical apparel.[39]
  • Represented MGM Resorts International in antitrust class action dismissal.[40]
  • Represented Transocean Deepwater Inc. in litigation arising from the 2010 BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill.[41]
  • Wells Fargo Bank in Sheen v. Wells Fargo, a case establishing that lenders and loan services are not obligated to protect a borrower's economic interests when processing a mortgage modification application.[42]
  • Google in an appellate victory when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that Google did not violate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s First Amendment rights by removing YouTube videos of him containing vaccine misinformation during his campaign for the presidency.[43][44]
  • Represented various institutional clients in significant matters, including:

Investigations

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Pro Bono

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The firm's pro bono representation includes:

  • Supreme Court advocacy regarding state courts' election law authority.[57]
  • Educational equity litigation (Fairfax County School Board).[58]
  • Criminal justice reform:
    • Los Angeles County bail reform litigation[59][60]
    • C.J. Rice post-conviction relief[61]
  • Civil rights matters:
    • Immigration enforcement practices litigation[62]
    • San Francisco vehicle towing policy challenge[63]
    • Bruce Family's Beach property restoration[64]
  • Represented families in Sandy Hook settlement negotiations ($73 million settlement).[65]
  • Represented Kenneth Walker III in Louisville police settlement ($2 million).[66]

Lawyers

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MTO Office 2023

Attorneys

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Alumni

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Former summer associate

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "How to Be a Firm that Businesses Call When Billions are at Stake". LA Business Journal. 16 May 2022. Retrieved 2022-05-16.
  2. ^ a b "Munger Tolles & Olson". ALM Law.com.
  3. ^ Orzeck, Kurt (2014-07-22). "California Powerhouse: Munger Tolles & Olson". Lae360.
  4. ^ "Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP". U.S. News Law.
  5. ^ https://www.mto.com/Templates/media/files/Daily_Journal_firm_profile.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  6. ^ https://stacks.stanford.edu/file/druid:sm857zv4444/sm857zv4444_HillsC_Transcript.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  7. ^ https://www.mto.com/Templates/media/files/A-list2012.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  8. ^ Arnold, Laurence (2014-10-30). "Roderick M. Hills dies at 83; head of the SEC under President Ford". Los Angeles Times.
  9. ^ "Co-founder of Los Angeles law firm". Los Angeles Times. 2008-02-01.
  10. ^ Kolz, Amy (2011-05-06). "Munger Tolles's Ron Olson and Berkshire: The Question of Lawyers Serving on Client Boards". AM Law Daily.
  11. ^ Maharaj, Davan (1995-09-05). "HENNIGAN VS. OLSON : Court Rivals : 2 Lawyers Will Slug It Out in O.C. Bankruptcy Debacle : Ronald L. Olson: Investment Giant Is Latest of His High-Profile Clients". Los Angeles Times.
  12. ^ Savage, David G. (2016-09-28). "Obama's former Supreme Court lawyer, Donald Verrilli, joins L.A. law firm". Los Angeles Times.
  13. ^ a b c Randazzo, Sara (2016-09-28). "California Law Firm Hires Former Solicitor General for Washington, D.C., Office". Wall Street Journal.
  14. ^ Packel, Dan (2019-03-06). "Munger Tolles Elects New Managing Partners; Brad Brian Named Chair". American Lawyer.
  15. ^ Chen, Vivia (2019-05-10). "News Flash: Asian American Woman Is New Leader at Elite Law Firm". American Lawyer.
  16. ^ McIntyre, Andrew (2012-12-04). "How Munger Tolles defied the rules and built a national law firm". Los Angeles Daily Journal.
  17. ^ Schmitt, Kellie (2005-09-06). "Munger, Tolles Bags 4 High Court Clerks". Law.com.
  18. ^ a b "The 2024 A-List: Top 20 Firms". The American Lawyer.
  19. ^ Chang, Andrea (2008-07-08). "L.A. law firm judged No. 1". Los Angeles Times.
  20. ^ "THE AM LAW 100: Munger Revenue and Profits Flat".
  21. ^ Jones, Ashby (2009-06-30). "Munger Tolles Tops AmLaw's A-List, Once Again". The Wall Street Journal.
  22. ^ Jones, Ashby (2010-07-01). "Deja Vu All Over Again: Munger Tolles Again Tops the 'A-List'". The Wall Street Journal.
  23. ^ "The 2013 A-List: The Complete Report". The American Lawyer.
  24. ^ "The 2017 A-List". The American Lawyer. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  25. ^ Zaretsky, Staci (2019-07-24). "The Am Law A-List: Ranking The Most Elite Law Firms In America (2019) - Above the Law". abovethelaw.com.
  26. ^ "The 2020 A-List: Amid Upheaval, Firms Focus on Finding Balance". The American Lawyer.
  27. ^ "The 2022 A-List: Top 20 Firms". The American Lawyer.
  28. ^ "How the 2023 A-List Firms Manage to Holistic Success". The American Lawyer.
  29. ^ Yount, Jessie (2021-11-28). "When Disaster Strikes, Munger Tolles' Litigators Come to Clients' Rescue". Law.com.
  30. ^ Atkins, Dorothy (2023-05-31). "PG&E To Pay $50M To End Criminal Case Over Zogg Fire". Law 360.
  31. ^ a b Clough, Craig (2022-08-24). "Kobe Bryant Jury Awards Families $31M Over Crash Pics". Law 360.
  32. ^ Keely, Aislinn (2023-08-29). "DC Circ. Reverses SEC Denial Of Grayscale Bitcoin ETF - Law360". www.law360.com.
  33. ^ "8th Circ. Nixes $563M Verdict Against BMO Harris Over Ponzi - Law360". www.law360.com. 2024-09-12.
  34. ^ Graf, Rachel; Poritz, Isaiah; Spoto, Maia (2024-06-08). "Social Media Giants Avoid School Districts' Addiction Claims". Bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on 2024-06-09.
  35. ^ "People v. Plains All American Pipeline, L.P." Justia Law.
  36. ^ Foretek, Jared (2024-09-18). "9th Circ. Won't Revive Gas Price-Fixing Suit Over Trump Pact - Law360". www.law360.com.
  37. ^ Perera, Katryna (2024-04-10). "'Smart' Glass Maker View Escapes SPAC Merger Suit For Good - Law360". www.law360.com.
  38. ^ Koenig, Bryan (2023-06-15). "Opting Out From Some Arb Doesn't Spare Uber, Lyft Drivers - Law360". www.law360.com. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  39. ^ Eslinger, Bonnie (2022-11-07). "Jury Clears Scrubs Startup Figs In Rival's False Ad Suit - Law360". www.law360.com. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  40. ^ Foretek, Jared (2023-10-25). "Vegas Strip Hotels Temporarily Beat Price-Fixing Claims - Law360". www.law360.com.
  41. ^ Orlando, Michael (2015-03-15). "In re Deepwater Horizon: Additional Insured Questions Resolved". IRMI.
  42. ^ Clough, Craig (2021-12-07). "Wells Fargo Owed Mortgagor Duty Of Care, Calif. Justices Told - Law360". www.law360.com.
  43. ^ James Mills (2024-08-26). "RFK Jr. Loses Bid To Get Vax Censorship Injunction At 9th Circ". www.law360.com.
  44. ^ Poritz, Isaiah (2024-08-27). "RFK Jr. Loses Appeal to Reinstate His Anti-Vax YouTube Videos". Bloomberg Law.
  45. ^ Felch, Jason; Frammolino, Ralph (2006-09-02). "Investigators Secretly Mined Munitz's Records". Los Angeles Times.
  46. ^ Davis, Ryan (2009-10-06). "Bankruptcy Partner Returns To Munger Tolles & Olson". Law260.
  47. ^ Maharaj, Davan (1995-09-05). "HENNIGAN VS. OLSON : Court Rivals : 2 Lawyers Will Slug It Out in O.C. Bankruptcy Debacle : Ronald L. Olson: Investment Giant Is Latest of His High-Profile Clients". Los Angeles Times.
  48. ^ Rempel, William (1990-11-06). "Marcos Claims Pact Near With Aquino Government". Los Angeles Times.
  49. ^ "Em2m Llc. v. Records, s. 09-55817, 09-56069". Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  50. ^ Osakwe, Chinekwu (2022-03-22). "Munger Tolles, Willkie steer Buffett's $11.6 bln Alleghany deal". Reuters.
  51. ^ O'Brien, Thomas L. (2005-05-01). "For Buffett, the One That Got Away". The New York Times.
  52. ^ Frye, Andrew (2011-08-26). "Buffett BofA Deal Is Latest to Capitalize on Bank Weakness". Bloomberg.
  53. ^ Thomas Jr., Landon (2006-06-27). "A $31 Billion Gift Between Friends". The New York Times.
  54. ^ Hamilton, Matt; Mejia, Brittny; Sahlby, Colleen; Gomez, Melissa (2021-06-22). "Behind elite boarding school's veneer of trust and family, sexual misconduct was 'ignored'". Los Angeles Times.
  55. ^ Rieder, David (2023-01-31). "Teri McKeever Fired From Cal After Long Investigation Concludes". Swimming World News.
  56. ^ Curley, Mike (2019-12-20). "Los Angeles DA Clears Santa Anita In Racehorses' Deaths - Law360". www.law360.com.
  57. ^ Fowler, Hayley (2023-06-27). "Justices Rule State Courts Can Review Election Laws - Law360". www.law360.com.
  58. ^ Bravin, Jess (2024-02-20). "Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to Diversity Efforts at Top High School". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 2024-02-20.
  59. ^ Kim, Gina (2023-05-17). "Calif. Judge Halts Some Pre-Arraignment Cash Bail In LA". Law 360.
  60. ^ Stoltze, Frank (2023-05-17). "LA Judge Temporarily Limits Cash Bail Requirement". LAist.
  61. ^ Tapper, Jake (2023-11-27). "C.J. Rice conviction overturned". CNN.
  62. ^ Aquino, Alyssa (2024-05-16). "Judge Ends ICE's 'Knock And Talk' Immigrant Arrest Tactic - Law360". www.law360.com.
  63. ^ Steier, Raya (24 July 2023). "California Court of Appeal Declares San Francisco's Poverty Tows Unconstitutional As Legislature Confronts Towing Policies Statewide". LCCRSF. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
  64. ^ Greene, Jenna (2022-07-28). "Black family's oceanfront land seized in 1929 returned with help from pro bono lawyer". Reuters.
  65. ^ Greene, Jenna (2022-03-01). "Pro Bono Heroes: How big (and small) firms helped win the Sandy Hook settlement". Reuters.
  66. ^ Romano, Matthew (2023-07-11). "Justice Is Served: Highlights From Big Law's Year of Impactful Pro Bono". American Lawyer.
  67. ^ "Munger Tolles adds former US deputy assistant attorney general". World Preview. 2017-03-08.
  68. ^ "Salomon Inc. names new CEO to head up securities house". Chicago Tribune. 1992-06-03. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012.
  69. ^ "Commission Members | Ronald L. Olson". Archived from the original on 2009-06-09. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
  70. ^ Olson, Elizabeth (2016-09-28). "Donald Verrilli, Former Solicitor General, to Join Law Firm". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
  71. ^ Korosec, Kirsten (2020-04-21). "Cruise hires PG&E board chairman Jeff Bleich as chief legal officer". Techcrunch.
  72. ^ "CUA Law Adjunct Professor Daniel Bress Confirmed to Serve as Circuit Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit". Law.edu. 2019-07-09.
  73. ^ "First openly Gay judge for U.S. Eastern District of California receives U.S. Senate confirmation". Elk Grove News. 2023-02-24.
  74. ^ "John Frank". Oaktree Capital. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  75. ^ Lyons, Byrhonda (2022-10-25). "California Supreme Court". LAist.
  76. ^ "Arizona appeals judge joins Phoenix law office". Phoenix Business Journal. 2022-03-03.
  77. ^ "Leondra R. Kruger appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown to state Supreme Court". Los Angeles Times. 25 November 2014.
  78. ^ Fulcher, Robb (2010-06-03). "Assemblyman Ted Lieu confident in Attorney General run". Easy Reader & Peninsula.
  79. ^ Fritsch, Jane (September 2, 1990). "Felicia Marcus : Fighting for the Environment From Inside the Establishment". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2015-05-07.
  80. ^ LA Observed
  81. ^ "President Biden Announces Fourth Slate of Judicial Nominations". White House. 15 June 2021. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  82. ^ "President Biden Names Seventh Round of Judicial Nominees". White House. 8 September 2021. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  83. ^ Schonfeld, Zach (July 15, 2024). "JD Vance's wife leaving law firm". The Hill. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  84. ^ "Brett M. Kavanaugh: Selected Primary Material". Congressional Research Service. July 17, 2018.
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