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Overview

Introduction

A top law firm for quality of life year after year, a mainstay among the V30 firms, and the oldest firm in Los Angeles, O’Melveny is a highly sought-after firm with hundreds of lawyers across 18 offices and eight countries. The firm prioritizes associate development and is a leader in diversity, pro bono, and employee wellness. Its prominence in California and elsewhere has fostered exceptional opportunities in the areas of entertainment law and technology/emerging companies.

Firm Stats


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Total No. Attorneys (2023)

750 - 1K

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No. of Partners Named (2023)

11

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Featured Rankings

Vault Law 100
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No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2023)

63


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No. of Summer Associates (2023)

76 total (72 2Ls; 4 1Ls)


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Base Salary

Year 1 $215,000
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Vault Verdict

O’Melveny & Myers has history, but it isn’t stuck in the past. Associates looking for a modern firm with modern ideals will find a home at O’Melveny. The firm wants smart, diverse, and mature candidates who are friendly and team oriented. Summer associate class sizes are small, so good grades and a strong interest in the firm are key. Once you’ve joined the firm, mentorship and training are abundant, and attorneys at O’Melveny go out of their way to develop new associates, and integration of laterals is smooth. Partners are respectful, kind, and generous with their time by attending firm events and having a general openness to feedback and review. While the firm is laid back in its vibe, associates work hard on substantive and meaningful cases. The 1,900 billable hour expe...

About the Firm

Long rooted in California—where it maintains a quintet of offices—O’Melveny & Myers has branched out in all directions with offices in eight countries on three continents, including a recent expansion into Texas. The firm is known for its work in antitrust, appellate litigation, entertainment law, labor and employment, patent litigation, products liability, project finance, securities litigation, venture capital, and more.

Growing with L.A.

The O’Melveny story starts way back in 1885 when Henry W. O’Melveny and Jackson Graves founded a partnership in Los Angeles. The fledgling firm gained traction through its work on land litigation surrounding the ownership of California’s Spanish haciendas and its handling of the legalities of h...

Associate Reviews

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  • “The culture at O'Melveny sets a perfect balance between friendly and professional. There is a collegial atmosphere at the office, supported heavily by the fact that O'Melveny employees, from top to bottom, are fundamentally good people.”
  • “My colleagues are true colleagues—they are friends that I can count on, that I share my life moments with, and that take interest in me. Lawyers and staff interact very collegially—there is no wall in between us.”
  • “My colleagues are genuinely kind, and take time to get to know me as a person. They are generous with their time, and always seem happy to teach me new things, explain a tricky issue, or answer my questions.”
  • “Laid back, collaborative, [and] respectful. People have hobbies and lives outside of work, and our office is family-oriented. That said, people are sociable throughout the year, especially during the summer program, periodic all-office lunches, and at affinity group events.”

Why Work Here


At O’Melveny, we perform transformative legal work for industry-leading companies. And we believe that how we do things is as important as what we do. Culture, collaboration, and community are integral to the O’Melveny experience, for our lawyers and clients alike. Our collaborative approach embraces diverse thought, encourages innovation, and supports professional growth. Our work within our communities makes us better lawyers and better people. Our cohesive and caring culture sets us apart. It all adds up to results that earn accolades, client relationships that stand the test of time, and an environment where individuals thrive.

Diversity at O'Melveny & Myers LLP

"Diversity and inclusion in the legal profession is no longer just an admirable goal: it is a business imperative. To build and sustain a healthy firm and deep, enduring client relationships, we need a vibrant and dynamic workforce-one whose backgrounds and experiences reflect those of the clients we serve. Simply put, when a diverse and inclusive O'Melveny is fully engaged, we give our best and our clients get our best. Pipeline We participate in a number of diversity pipeline programs for pre-law and 1L students..."

Getting Hired Here

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  • “Very competitive, because our class sizes are small. Not only is the firm looking for someone who performed well in law school, but also someone who is diverse, brings some extra or interesting experience to [the] table, and is generally a kind/personable person.”
  • “Grades and law school continue to be important, though I sometimes think that limits our ability to find qualified, diverse candidates. We use a program called Pymetrics that evaluates a candidate's likelihood of success at the firm. Pymetrics is not used as a make-or-break factor, but we consider it in decision making.”
  • “I feel O'Melveny is looking for diversity in a lot of ways, geographically, racially, gender, sexual orientation, as well as [in] expressed and demonstrated interests. I am very impressed with and enjoy my new associate class.”
  • “The firm is extremely competitive. Even when lateraling with a newly hired partner, I was thoroughly vetted, and getting hired was not guaranteed.”

Perks & Benefits


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