Department profile
Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP

Appellate Law

USA Guide 2026 : USA - Nationwide


Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Appellate Law - USA - Nationwide

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For
Munger Tolles is an elite litigation firm with nationally recognized appellate strengths, bolstered by its cadre of highly rated former governmental luminaries with a wealth of experience arguing before state and federal courts. The firm offers broad strengths across areas such as copyright and patent disputes, environmental law, antitrust issues and securities matters.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Munger, Tolles represented BMO Harris in appellate proceedings arising from claims tied to the Petters Ponzi scheme, including before the Eighth Circuit and the US Supreme Court. The Eighth Circuit reversed in full a judgment exceeding $1 billion against the bank for alleged aiding and abetting breaches of fiduciary duty, and the Supreme Court subsequently denied certiorari, leaving judgment entered in BMO Harris’s favor.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • I really think that they're the best. I think very highly of them, and there are very few teams like them. They're the finest lawyers in the country.

    Appellate Law respondentUSA
  • Their distinguishing strength was their knowledge of industry issues, level of analytic abilities, quality of work product and responsiveness. Munger Tolles stands alone in this space.

    Appellate Law respondentUSA
  • I cannot say enough good things about them: everything from overall strategy to developing sharp analyses and memos that assist me and my colleagues in making decisions, to the responsiveness of sometime urgent requests – from top to bottom, they're A+, top-shelf appellate counsel.

    Appellate Law respondentUSA
  • This was probably the smartest and most capable legal team I have encountered. They had an incredible ability to understand our organization quickly, and they were very strategic litigators with deep and nuanced experience and expertise.

    Appellate Law respondentUSA
  • I thought they were very strong in identifying the issues, responding to arguments that were very scattered, and managed to focus the court on what matters and what would resolve issues. This team was incredibly sophisticated, but treated us with respect and humbleness; no question was dumb – they responded very thoughtfully and approached it with good humor, and delivered in time. We were in good hands.

    Appellate Law respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Star IndividualsDonald B Verrilli
    Star IndividualsDonald B Verrilli

    Donald B Verrilli

    Donald Verrilli remains one of the most sought-after and accomplished Supreme Court experts in the field, with a range of household-name clients turning to him for their most significant disputes.
    • Despite being a renowned, respected and famous lawyer, he has a very collegial and collaborative approach, and he has very good courtroom presence.

      Appellate Law respondentUSA
    • Don is one of the premier appellate lawyers in country; he's on anyone's list. He meets or exceeds his reputation; he is really practical, level-headed and just thoughtful about the best way to approach appealing particular sets of issues.

      Appellate Law respondentUSA
  • Band 2Elaine Goldenberg
    Band 2Elaine Goldenberg

    Elaine Goldenberg

    Elaine Goldenberg is an accomplished appellate advocate with notable strengths in handling appeals involving financial services and securities law issues, as well as foreign-state immunity and extraterritoriality questions.

    • I think she really is one of the great legal minds in the country.

      Appellate Law respondentUSA
    • She is a top-notch appellate litigator and a wonderful writer. She's great at going from a base of nothing about an issue to being an expert at incredible speed. I find it amazing. You can call her about a thorny question that has been plaguing you for months, and she'll know as much as you in a week.

      Appellate Law respondentUSA
    • She's extremely sharp had excellent strategy, and was approachable and easy to work with.

      Appellate Law respondentUSA
  • Band 4Benjamin J Horwich
    Band 4Benjamin J Horwich

    Benjamin J Horwich

    Benjamin Horwich has a strong appellate practice with notable strengths in appeals concerning competition law, class actions and disputes concerning federal pre-emption.

    • He is a trusted adviser – his guidance is well thought through, and he's been calm throughout. He's a great captain in rough seas.

      Appellate Law respondentUSA
    • Benjamin is an incredibly insightful, sophisticated appellate lawyer. He has lots of practical knowledge and case law-specific knowledge, and lots of great thoughts around framing arguments and piecing together the complicated puzzle of our various issues.

      Appellate Law respondentUSA

Ranked Individuals at Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP (4)

USA - Nationwide

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