As part of a special report on minority-owned law firms, OMLO was recently featured in the Daily Journal article “Brick by brick: OMLO’s rise as a minority-owned powerhouse in California law.” The feature delves into how founders Rick Olivarez and Thomas Madruga’s ongoing commitment to diversity led them to establish the firm, which has grown from just a handful of attorneys in 2010 to over 40 lawyers who serve dozens of cities and public agencies today.
“We made a pact to sort of build it the right way, you know, brick by brick rather than going too fast,” Tom tells the Daily Journal.
He adds that he and Rick prioritized ensuring that the firm’s makeup mirrored the communities they represent, providing “opportunities to folks […] who are fighters and maybe had to pull themselves up from their own bootstraps” in order to better serve their clients.
“We made a pact to also reach out to groups of folks – not just Hispanic minorities, but all minorities,” he continues. “I think if you look at our website, you’ll see a pretty eclectic group there. Because I think it’s the right thing to do.”
Partner and Municipal Law Practice Group Co-Chair Paloma Perez-McEvoy, also featured in the piece, discusses how OMLO’s diversity was a key draw for her, as the ability to relate to her colleagues provides a level of comfort – particularly as a first-generation lawyer herself. She adds that the diverse backgrounds at OMLO contribute to their ability to serve clients.
“Everybody carries with them a unique set of experiences that shapes their thoughts, their beliefs, the way in which they make decisions in life,” she explains. “Working in LA County, which has to be one of the most diverse areas of the nation, there are a lot of different experiences that we take with us. Sometimes we’re able to take those experiences into consideration when we’re making recommendations to our client cities.”
Paloma tells the Daily Journal that the firm’s intentional growth efforts are essential to its continued success.
“We have a really collaborative culture here,” she concludes.