MTO Receives 2026 Daily Journal Clay Award 

Munger, Tolles & Olson has been recognized with a 2026 California Lawyer Attorneys of the Year (CLAY) Award by the Daily Journal. The award honors California attorney teams that have handled the most impactful litigation over the last year.

MTO was recognized for its leadership in filing amicus briefs in support of Perkins Coie, Jenner & Block and WilmerHale in their challenges to Executive Orders issued by the Trump administration in 2025. The briefs, filed on behalf of hundreds of law firms nationwide, argued that the rule of law depends on a fair and independent judicial system and that lawyers must be able to represent clients without fear of governmental repercussions.

In addition to its work supporting these firms, MTO secured a permanent injunction on behalf of Susman Godfrey against a similar Executive Order targeting the firm. All four Executive Orders were struck down as unconstitutional, and the government has appealed.

In the Daily Journal profile, “Standing Firm: How Munger Tolles Rallied Against Trump’s Attacks on the Legal Profession,” Firm Chair Brad Brian and Partner Hailyn Chen reflected on the firm’s response. Hailyn described the rapid, coordinated effort across the legal community, noting that she was “on an unending stream of phone calls starting at 4 to 5 a.m. Pacific, working firms on the East Coast.” Brad emphasized the firm’s deliberative approach, explaining that MTO held “multiple meetings to talk through all the issues, and we didn’t go forward until we had a consensus.” He added, “I have never been more proud to be at Munger Tolles.”

Read the Daily Journal profile. (Subscription may be required)