2024 DIVERSITY DATABASE UNDERWRITER O'Melveny & Myers LLP

Our Survey Says

VAULT'S 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 coordination system contributes to a fair distribution of assignments, though associates can seek particular work that interests them. O’Melveny sets a manageable billable hour target of 1,900 hours, which includes unlimited pro bono hours—a practice the firm champions and that is one of associates’ favorite aspects of the firm. Salaries match the market and bonuses can be increased for high billers, with flexible bonus consideration for those who don’t hit the 1,900 hours target. The firm is innovative in adopting new technologies, and tech support is first-rate. O’Melveny offers an extensive array of wellness resources, including Peloton benefits and counseling services. The firm appears to be ahead of its peers in terms of hiring, retention, affinity groups, and billable hours for diversity-related work. Promotion to equity partner is possible, alternative career paths are supported, and some associates choose to go in-house or work for the government.