Professional Experience

Mr. Olivarez is the founding and Managing Partner of Olivarez Madruga Law Organization LLP (“OMLO”). In this capacity, he oversees the day-to-day operations of the firm. Under his leadership, OMLO has grown into the premier minority-owned law firm in Southern California.

In addition, Mr. Olivarez manages the firm’s municipal and school district practice group.

As city attorney, Mr. Olivarez advises on all aspects of municipal law including, but not limited to, the Public Records Act, public contracts, Brown Act, litigation, economic development, construction law, and ethics. Additionally, Mr. Olivarez has drafted hundreds of resolutions, ordinances, and contracts on behalf of his municipal clients.

Mr. Olivarez also serves as general counsel to a number of school districts and community colleges. In this role, Mr. Olivarez advises the governing bodies on various legal matters involving workplace harassment, construction, employment, and conflict of interest.

Mr. Olivarez has developed a particular expertise in managing complex internal and external investigations concerning allegations of sexual harassment, conflict of interest, fraud, and misappropriation of public funds. Working with outside state and federal agencies, Mr. Olivarez has worked in partnership with his clients to successfully expose, prosecute, and obtain financial judgements against these bad actors.

Mr. Olivarez has also served as legal counsel to the Surplus Property aka “7-11” committee of his school district clients. In this capacity, Mr. Olivarez advised the committee on the disposition, sale, lease, and transfer of surplus property. Mr. Olivarez also helped to craft the committee’s final report to the governing board on its recommendations.

Mr. Olivarez is a frequent speaker on legal topics concerning ethics and good governance. Most recently, he was a featured speaker at NALEO’s annual conference held in Washington, D.C. for newly elected public officials. Mr. Olivarez delivered a presentation to the attendees entitled “The Top 10 Things to Do to Avoid Getting Indicted.” He gave the same presentation to the Latino Center for Leadership Development in San Antonio, Texas.

In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Olivarez sits on the White Memorial Medical Center Foundation Board, Homeboy Industries Board of Directors, White Memorial Medical Center Governing Board, and the NALEO Educational Fund Board. Mr. Olivarez is particularly honored to serve on the NALEO Board founded by his grandfather, the late Congressman Edward R. Roybal.

Mr. Olivarez also frequently supports a number of local non-profit organizations including the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, Mexican-American Bar Association, and Hispanas Organized for Political Equality, to name a few. Olivarez is also involved politically on the local, state, and national level, and often holds meet-and-greets and other events with decision and policy makers in the firm’s downtown Los Angeles office.

Admissions & Associations

  • State Bar of California (1997)
  • President, White Memorial Medical Center Charitable Foundation
  • Board of Directors, NALEO Educational Fund

Honors & Awards

  • “Best Lawyers in America” (2024)
  • “LA500: Most Influential People in Los Angeles ” – Los Angeles Business Journal
  • “Top 100 Lawyers” – Los Angeles Business Journal
  • “Leaders of Influence: Minority Attorneys” – Los Angeles Business Journal
  • “Southern California Super Lawyers” – Thomson Reuters
  • “Man of the Year” – White Memorial Medical Center Foundation

Related News

February 23, 2024

Above the Law Features OMLO’s Municipal Lawyers, Including the Firm’s Trailblazing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts

OMLO was recently highlighted in Staci Zaretsky’s Above the Law article “An Admirable Law Firm Where Diversity And Inclusion Is Celebrated For Bringing Out The Best In Its Lawyers.” The... Read More

January 10, 2024

Four OMLO Attorneys Named to 2024 Southern California “Super Lawyers” List

​​​​OMLO is pleased to announce that Rick R. Olivarez, Tom Madruga, Terence Gallagher, and Colin Barr have been named to the 2024 Southern California “Super Lawyers” list by Thomson Reuters.... Read More

December 6, 2023

L.A. Times B2B Publishing Names Rick R. Olivarez a “DEI Visionary” in 2023 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Magazine

The firm is pleased to announce that founding partner Rick R. Olivarez has been named a “DEI Visionary” by L.A. Times B2B Publishing in its inaugural Diversity, Equity, Inclusion &... Read More

August 17, 2023

Rick R. Olivarez Named to 2024 “Best Lawyers in America” List, Two Attorneys Named 2024 “Ones to Watch”

The firm is pleased to announce that founding and Managing Partner Rick R. Olivarez has been selected for inclusion by U.S. News & World Report in the 2024 edition of... Read More

June 16, 2023

Rick Olivarez to Attend NALEO’s 40th Annual Conference in New York City

Rick R. Olivarez, OMLO’s founding and managing partner, will be in attendance at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials’ (“NALEO”) 40th Annual Conference in New York City... Read More

June 8, 2023

Rick R. Olivarez Selected to Prestigious LA500 List by Los Angeles Business Journal

The firm is pleased to announce that founding and managing partner Rick R. Olivarez has been named to this year’s coveted LA500: Most Influential People in Los Angeles list by... Read More

May 22, 2023

Los Angeles Business Journal Names Rick R. Olivarez Among its “Top 100 Lawyers” for Second Year

OMLO is pleased to announce that founding and managing partner Rick R. Olivarez has been selected for inclusion in the Los Angeles Business Journal’s 2023 list of “Top 100 Lawyers.”... Read More

January 23, 2023

Los Angeles Business Journal Names Rick R. Olivarez to “Leaders of Influence: Minority Attorneys” for Second Year

The firm is pleased to congratulate founding and managing partner Rick R. Olivarez on his inclusion in the Los Angeles Business Journal’s “Leaders of Influence: Minority Attorneys” list for 2023.... Read More

January 10, 2023

Rick R. Olivarez, Tom Madruga Named to 2023 Southern California “Super Lawyers” List

​​​​OMLO is proud to announce that partners Rick R. Olivarez and Tom Madruga have been named to the 2023 Southern California “Super Lawyers” list by Thomson Reuters. Rick was recognized... Read More

July 28, 2022

Rick R. Olivarez Interviewed by Authority Magazine on “5 Things You Need To Create Or Lead A Successful Law Firm”

OMLO’s Founding and Managing Partner Rick R. Olivarez was recently interviewed for the Authority Magazine series “5 Things You Need To Create Or Lead A Successful Law Firm,” which asks... Read More

June 2, 2022

Rick R. Olivarez to Co-Chair Adventist Health White Memorial Medical Center Charitable Foundation Gala

OMLO is pleased to share that Founding and Managing Partner Rick R. Olivarez, an ardent and longtime supporter of the nonprofit White Memorial Medical Center in Los Angeles, will serve... Read More

May 16, 2022

Rick R. Olivarez Named to Los Angeles Business Journal’s 2022 “Top 100 Lawyers” List

OMLO is pleased to announce that founding and managing partner Rick R. Olivarez has been selected for inclusion in the Los Angeles Business Journal’s inaugural list of “Top 100 Lawyers.”... Read More

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