O'Melveny & Myers
| Company type | LLP |
|---|---|
| Industry | Legal services |
| Predecessor | Graves & O'Melveny |
| Founded | January 2, 1885 in Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Founder | Henry O'Melveny, Jackson Graves |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
Area served | United States, China, Belgium, Hong Kong, United Kingdom, South Korea, Singapore, Japan |
Key people | Bradley J. Butwin (Chair) |
| Products | Legal services |
Number of employees | Approximately 800 attorneys |
| Website | omelveny |
O'Melveny & Myers LLP is a global American law firm established in Los Angeles in 1885. The firm boasts approximately 800 attorneys and maintains offices throughout California, Washington, D.C., New York City, Texas, as well as international locations including Beijing, Brussels, Hong Kong, London, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo.
History
The firm was originally founded on January 2, 1885, under the name "Graves & O'Melveny" by Henry O'Melveny and Jackson Graves. Starting with just two lawyers operating from a single-room office at 248 North Main Street in Los Angeles, the practice initially expanded through involvement in land disputes related to California’s Spanish haciendas and hydroelectric power initiatives that fueled the growth of Los Angeles. The firm's current name, "O'Melveny & Myers," was adopted after former California Chief Justice Louis Wescott Myers joined the practice following his retirement in 1926.
In 1977, William T. Coleman, Jr., renowned for his leadership in desegregation efforts as a principal strategist in Brown v. Board of Education, became part of the firm. Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr., a former chairman based in Washington, D.C., served as White House Counsel during Reagan’s administration. Warren Christopher (1925–2011), who was U.S. Secretary of State and chaired the firm from 1981 to 1991, oversaw its most significant international expansion into seven countries. Since 2012, litigation partner Bradley J. Butwin has led the firm as chair, with his leadership term set to continue through 2025.
The firm has represented prominent clients such as Donald Trump in lawsuits related to Trump University and has conducted vetting for presidential nominees. Additionally, O'Melveny provided legal counsel to the Trump inaugural committee amid inquiries by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York and defended Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross against accusations concerning investment conflicts.
In November 2023, amid a surge of antisemitic incidents at prestigious U.S. law schools, O'Melveny & Myers joined other leading firms in alerting law school deans about potential repercussions on corporate hiring if such discriminatory behavior continues. The communication underscored these firms’ strict policies against discrimination and harassment within professional environments.
Reputation
Vault.com ranked O'Melveny as the top firm on its 2019 "Best Firms to Work For" list, evaluating attorney quality of life. The firm earned high ratings in categories such as "Job Satisfaction," "Associate/Partner Relations," "Firm Culture," "Quality of Work," "Transparency," "Hours Requirements," "Summer Associate Program," and "Attorney Development." It secured sixth place for "Best Attorney Compensation." According to Above the Law, first-year associates receive a base salary of $215,000 plus annual bonuses, while summer associates are compensated at a prorated rate equivalent to $3,700 per week. Vault also ranked O'Melveny as the fourth most selective law firm worldwide in 2019. Nonetheless, a former award-winning lawyer has publicly criticized how the firm addressed issues related to discrimination and sexual misconduct.
For five consecutive years through 2016, O'Melveny appeared within the Top 10 on the "A-List," which honors the nation’s most well-rounded law firms. Since 2002, it has been either a winner, finalist, or received honorable mentions annually in every Litigation Department of the Year competition—an accolade shared by only one other firm. It is also recognized among the highest-paying law firms across the United States.
Prominent clients and legal matters
- Acted on behalf of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association in the case So Sung-uk vs. National Health Insurance Service, a pivotal ruling by South Korea’s Supreme Court that recognized spousal benefits for same-sex couples under the National Health Insurance Service.
- Provided legal defense for Nancy Pelosi in 2020 against litigation contesting proxy voting regulations implemented during the COVID-19 crisis.
- Advised Mike Pence between 2020 and 2021, supporting him throughout the January 6 Capitol events and offering testimony before the House Select Committee clarifying that a vice president does not possess the power to change election results.
Distinguished partners and former members
- Ex-partner Louis Caldera held the position of United States Secretary of the Army.
- Warren Christopher (1925–2011), who served as U.S. Secretary of State under President Bill Clinton, was a senior partner at the firm’s Century City, CA office until his passing.
- William Thaddeus Coleman, Jr. (1920–2017), Secretary of Transportation under President Gerald Ford and a significant figure in Brown v. Board of Education, acted as senior partner and Senior Counselor in Washington, DC.
- Thomas E. Donilon, former National Security Advisor to President Barack Obama, continues his affiliation with the Washington, DC office and is notably featured in the renowned "The Situation Room" image.
- Chair Emeritus Arthur B. Culvahouse, Jr., who served as White House Counsel for President Ronald Reagan and U.S. Ambassador to Australia.
- Former partner Walter Dellinger (1941–2022) fulfilled duties as United States Solicitor General during the 1996-97 Supreme Court session.
- Former partner Danielle C. Gray acted as a senior advisor to President Obama and was characterized by Newsweek as "the most powerful White House staffer you've never heard of."
- Former partner Sandra Segal Ikuta serves on the federal bench as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
- Former associate Mike Gatto is an Assemblyman in California and chairs the Appropriations Committee.
- Former associate Goodwin Liu holds the position of Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of California.
- Former partner Kim McLane Wardlaw sits on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
- Former associate John B. Owens serves as a federal judge on the Ninth Circuit court.
- Former associate Stephen Reinhardt was a judge on the Ninth Circuit at the federal level.
- Former partner Michael Zimmerman held the role of Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court.
- Sri Srinivasan, currently a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, previously led the appellate practice group.
- Former partner Alejandro Mayorkas presently serves as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, having formerly been Deputy Secretary and director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
- Pamela Harris, now appointed as a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
- Richard Riordan, who was Los Angeles’ 39th Mayor from 1993 to 2001.
- Former partner Chuck Sullivan acted as vice president for the New England Patriots between 1970 and 1988 and was instrumental in promoting The Jacksons' Victory Tour.
- Former associate Milan Smith serves as a U.S. Circuit Judge on the Ninth Circuit court.
- Partner Ron Klain, who was White House chief of staff from 2021 to 2023, returned to the firm in April 2023.
- Marshall Rutter (1931–2024) began his career at O'Melveny & Myers during the 1960s, focusing on family law and co-founding the Los Angeles Master Chorale.
In culture
Within an installment of The Sopranos, a Department of Justice attorney comments, "He jeopardized his lucrative career at O'Melveny & Myers by mishandling the Junior Soprano case."