Associates are feeling the magic at global “unicorn” Morgan Lewis: a Philly native with a broad practice focus and a strong emphasis on inclusion.
Munger, Tolles & Olson Lateral Profile 2025
There’s no doubt about it, when it comes to litigation, Munger, Tolles & Olson is right up there aMung the heavyweights. You’ll find the firm nestled in the top-tier of the Chambers USA guide’s litigation rankings across both general commercial litigation and media & entertainment litigation in California, but there are also impressive nods in energy litigation, securities litigation, appellate and white-collar crime & government investigations-related litigation in the firm’s home state. In many ways, it’s a firm that packs a surprisingly big punch for its size, with just three offices across the US in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington DC. But this was part of the appeal: “I wanted somewhere more tight knit,” one junior associate told us, “to feel like a more important part of the firm.” The general consensus was that they’d got everything they hoped for and more: “I could really hit the ground running, had opportunities to face clients, and engaged in more advanced legal work.”
View the firm’s Chambers USA rankings
Read the firm’s Inside View feature on junior associate life
Why did you join your firm? Associates say…
“I wanted to join a firm that focused on mentoring and early responsibility while still maintaining a family-friendly and collegial culture. Munger fit perfectly.”
“I chose Munger because of the chance to do varied, high stakes work with some of the best lawyers in the country. It was also clear that the firm has cultivated a culture that I really respect and wanted to be a part of.”
“The quality of the attorneys and work, the ability to balance work and life to the extent possible in BigLaw, and the firm's commitment to early responsibility and mentorship.”
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
4 |
1.5 : 1 |
77% |
||
|
partners made in 2024 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
85% |
77% |
93% |
||
| felt partnership was achievable for attorneys with childcare/caregiver responsibilities | felt partnership was achievable at the firm | agreed partners are nurturing future leaders |
||
The view from the firm: Munger, Tolles & Olson’s low leverage model and culture of collegiality means attorneys work in closely knit teams. This naturally lends itself to meaningful early responsibility and ongoing feedback from team members. Informal assessments are supplemented by a biannual associate review through which each associate receives a formal review of performance and progress. Regular evaluations allow for two-way communication and ensure that associates are provided with meaningful career development opportunities.
Throughout the year, Munger, Tolles & Olson offers training programs featuring in-house or outside speakers. For example, associates during their first year are invited to attend our New Attorney Retreat, where they receive an introduction to various aspects of the firm, including ethical issues, community involvement and our pro bono practice. Further training programs are fashioned for new attorneys, including Succeeding in Your First Law Firm Job and Nuts and Bolts of Motion Practice. Other in-house training topics have included Constructing a Cross-Examination, Interviewing Witnesses, Anatomy of an M&A Transaction and Negotiation Skills.
Hours & Compensation
|
no requirement |
13.7 |
48.6 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
63% |
84% |
95% |
| agreed they had a good work-life balance |
felt like they could take vacation/annual leave on their own terms |
found the firm's claims around bonus allocation to be authentic |
Salaries
1st year: $225,000
2nd year: $235,000
3rd year: $260,000
4th year: $310,000
5th year: $365,000
6th year: $390,000
7th year: $420,000
8th year: $435,000
*The firm does not disclose salaries beyond this point.
The view from the firm: We pay lockstep base compensation. Munger Tolles also provides a subsidized back-up care program through Bright Horizons, which can be used up to 20 times per year, per child or relative needing care. This includes center-based and in-home care nationwide. Munger Tolles employees may sign up to use any number of Bright Horizons child care centers across the country. Subsidized in-home care is also available nationwide for children, adult relatives and the elderly. Our professionals regularly use both the center and in-home options while traveling for work in cities across the country.
Munger Tolles’ parental leave benefits are market-leading. All new parents may take up to 18 weeks of parental leave within the first year following the birth or adoption of a child, and an additional 6-8 weeks for pregnancy disability.
Munger Tolles offers nursing parents benefits to make work easier, including Milk Stork for work travel, door locks and in-office refrigerators.
Is Munger, Tolles & Olson the right firm for you?
|
98% |
96% |
96% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work they received was of the right quality |
felt that they chose the right firm |
Here's what survey respondents had to say about the firm's culture...
“The firm is small, intellectual, highly prestigious, and has connections to the public interest/local community. It also offers junior associates rapid opportunities for growth and experience.”
“MTO has lived up to its promise of a positive culture with early substantive opportunities on unique, headline-making cases.”
“MTO provides a welcoming and collegial atmosphere in which newer attorneys can work on novel, complex problems in small teams with supportive mentors.”
Pro Bono
|
126 |
92% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm puts effort towards its commitment to pro bono and social impact activity |
Pro bono highlights: Six young adults in foster care in Los Angeles, and Public Counsel, Alliance for Children’s Rights and Children’s Rights (disability services and homelessness); The Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice (ICIJ), the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), and an individual, Osny Sorto-Vasquez Kidd (immigration); Police Reform Initiative, ACLU of Southern California (police reform); Charles J. Rice Habeas Corpus Petition (wrongful conviction); Amarillo Area Transgender Advocacy Group (LGBTQ+ rights).
Sustainability & CSR
The view from the firm: MTO’s Green Program includes increasing recycled-content paper use, utilizing ENERGY STAR-compliant equipment, responsible hazardous waste disposal, and firmwide green office supplies. We offer comprehensive recycling, composting, and IT-based communications to minimize travel emissions. Our participation in energy reduction initiatives, including demand response events, remains strong.
MTO’s Los Angeles office maintains energy-efficient systems such as smart HVAC controls, power-generating elevators, and occupancy sensor lighting. We continue proactive indoor air quality testing, green cleaning methods, and enhanced recycling and waste diversion programs.
MTO’s Los Angeles office has sustained LEED Platinum certification for 10 years, retained the UL Healthy Building Verification Mark, and earned a 98 ENERGY STAR rating for energy efficiency. San Francisco remains LEED Platinum and ENERGY STAR-certified, while Washington, D.C., continues to hold LEED Gold and ENERGY STAR recognition.
Additionally, MTO’s janitorial team maintains Green Janitor Education Program certification, ensuring sustainable cleaning and conservation practices.
Contact
Learn more about opportunities at the firm
Recruitment contact: Ms. Kara Sommers, Director of Legal Recruiting
(213) 452-5595
Kara.Sommers@mto.com
mtorecruiting@mto.com