I joined Munger Tolles & Olson on account of the testimony of co-clerks and Munger alums in the judiciary whom I met during my time as a judicial clerk. The values and commitments upon which Munger Tolles was built have attracted the most brilliant minds in our profession. That brilliance is matched at Munger by generosity and humility, a unique combination in our industry. On my very first day, Ron Olson, a name partner, sat down with me and a colleague for nearly an hour after a firm-wide lunch, just to chat. Ron took an interest in us simply because we had joined the firm that day and wanted to get to know his new colleagues. In spending that time with us, he helped usher us into the culture of community and collegiality that pervades this place.
A week after I started with Munger Tolles, I was asked to work on a large case that offered me a great deal of opportunity. This case is one that I recall fondly because of the scope, magnitude and respect it afforded me from my colleagues. This case was brought to Munger Tolles by a high-profile financial services client, and immediately after we resolved it five other similar cases followed on its heels. I spent more than 8 years successfully litigating those cases. In one of them, in which our client faced the greatest potential exposure, I took the lead in crafting our defense. With the support of a senior colleague, we developed a defense that was innovative, novel and, most importantly successful. On that theory, the case was dismissed on the pleadings, then knocked out entirely when we had their motion to amend denied.
Each partner devoted time to nurturing my development as I grew as an attorney here. While they gave me the reins, they also sat beside me, giving pointers as we went and specific feedback at each turn to help make me a better attorney all around. Likewise, standard fare is the day-to-day mentorship provided by our firm's attorneys while handling such matters.
As I have experienced them, Munger Tolles & Olson's foundational principles are service, commitment to both clients and community; generous collegiality, general inclusivity and the intentional pursuit of excellence. We strive to uphold these and look to them in times of struggle and difficulty. Munger Tolles & Olson has a foundation, mission and culture that I value greatly and intend to carry forward.