Munger, Tolles & Olson Name Partner Ronald Olson Featured in Los Angeles Business Journal’s “8 Over 80” List
Munger, Tolles & Olson’s distinguished Name Partner Ronald Olson was interviewed by the Los Angeles Business Journal, along with seven other Angelenos in their 80s and 90s, about working past the traditional retirement age. The interviews were included in an article published by the Los Angeles Business Journal titled “8 Over 80.”
When asked why he continues to work past the age most retire, Mr. Olson replied:
“Well, it’s pretty simple. From a selfish point of view, I just have too many interesting people and interesting problems in my life. I’m very fortunate to be a lawyer. I’m very fortunate that people still want to pull on my judgment and engage me for what they consider to be important problems. I’m the beneficiary.”
The article goes on to chronicle Mr. Olson’s life and storied career, from growing up on a farm in Manilla, Iowa (population 800) and on surrounding farms to becoming one of the most respected lawyers in the country. The article also highlights Mr. Olson’s legal work for Berkshire Hathaway Inc., movie and media companies, the founders of Google in its initial public offering, big oil in antitrust and the Exxon Valdez oil spill, as well as his representation of the Philippines government in recovering ill-gotten gains from its former president Ferdinand Marcos and his family.
When asked to reflect on the biggest lesson he has learned from his career, Mr. Olson noted that “every single person you encounter in life has something to teach you…I think too many people these days shuffle aside the opportunities to learn from people that don’t appear to be as smart or successful…and I think that’s a mistake.”