Overview
Introduction
A top law firm for quality of life every year, a mainstay among the Vault Law 30 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 DE&I, pro bono, and employee wellness. Its prominence in California and elsewhere has fostered exceptional opportunities in many areas of law, including entertainment law and technology/emerging companies.
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2024)
No. of Partners Named (2023)
Featured Rankings
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2023)
No. of Summer Associates (2024)
Base Salary
Vault Verdict
O’Melveny & Myers has blossomed beyond its hometown of LA, and associates should be considered fortunate to find a landing spot in one of its 18 offices. Top grades from top law schools are important, as are journal experience and shared values. People are pleasant and team-oriented; attorneys enjoy socializing together, but not to the point of overkill. Partners embrace an open-door policy, which contributes to good associate/partner relationships and associate development. Partner mentoring and the firm’s formal training programs are appreciated, and lateral hires appreciate the extensive onboarding that makes them feel welcomed. Associates enjoy largely substantive work and are encouraged to take on additional responsibilities for and ownership of their cases. The work ...
About the Firm
Long residing 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 recent expansion into Texas. The firm is known for its work in antitrust, appellate litigation, entertainment law, labor and employment, M&A, patent litigation, private equity, product liability, project finance, securities litigation, venture capital, and more.
Growing with LA
The O’Melveny story starts 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 hydroelectric power, which helpe...
2025 Vault Rankings
Associate Reviews
- “O'Melveny has a very friendly firm culture. Partners are accessible and socialize with associates in the office and at firm-sponsored events, such as lunches and happy hours. Everyone treats each other with respect, and the firm does not foster a strict hierarchical environment.”
- “O'Melveny's culture is very people-centric for the large part. People are pleasant to one another and are generally supportive of each other. The firm does sponsor events, especially over the summer, and people are collegial when at the office.”
- “Every attorney I've worked with at the firm has been polite and gracious in professional interactions, even in stressful situations. It's a little quiet at the office as most people seem to work remotely a lot of the time, but this is partially due to the fact that the office is being renovated right now so we are low on space. Once the reno is done, I am guessing it will be more lively. People are friendly and happy to socialize, but it's not a party firm, which is just fine by me.”
- “The firm feels more like a group of extended family and friends than a hierarchical organization. The various committees and organizations do an excellent job of organizing firm-sponsored events, but it is also just as likely that a random associate or partner will reach out to grab lunch or a coffee. The team I predominantly work with is one of those groups that comes to the office more often than not, so it is easy to pick someone's brain in person.”
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
Getting Hired Here
- “Our firm looks for candidates who are excellent performers in law school, well-rounded, and focused on specific goals or practices and who effectively match the collegial energy and culture of the firm. Most attorneys come from T14 schools, but there are many attorneys from other law schools as well. There are guidelines and a singular yearly training for the recruitment process.”
- “The firm values culture fit, work ethic, and diversity. Many associates clerk. Others do fellowships and return. Associates come from T14 schools and DC schools mostly.”
- “Firm is very competitive and strict in implementing grade cutoffs when reviewing resumes and discussing candidates, particularly from lower-ranked schools.”
- “The firm looks at grades, experience, past work, and personality when considering candidates. While we recruit primarily from the top 50 schools, we also consider candidates from other more-regional schools.”
Perks & Benefits