Ronald L. Olson, born July 9, 1941, is an American corporate attorney and a name partner at the Los Angeles law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Drake University in 1963, a Diploma in Law from Oxford University, and his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 1966.
Olson did not start at the firm. He began as a civil rights attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice in 1967, then clerked for Chief Judge David L. Bazelon of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in 1968. He joined Munger Tolles as an associate in 1968 and became a partner in 1970, and he has practiced there ever since. For decades he served as Warren Buffett’s deal lawyer on Berkshire Hathaway’s major transactions, and he was a Berkshire director from 1997 until May 2025.
A Career in Landmark Deals
Olson’s practice is corporate counseling and high-stakes litigation, not investing. But few lawyers have sat closer to the biggest transactions in American business. He was the lead attorney representing Yahoo’s board when Microsoft tried to acquire the company, and Munger Tolles has long represented Berkshire Hathaway on its major transactions, with Olson as the relationship’s anchor.
What Investors Can Learn from Olson
Olson built his reputation on three things that translate directly to investing. First, governance: he counsels boards of directors, which means he watches firsthand which management teams act like owners and which act like employees. Second, preparation: in litigation and deal-making, the side that did the homework usually wins, the same reason a thorough investor beats a casual one. Third, reputation as an asset: Olson’s career is a case study in Charlie Munger‘s rule that it takes years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin one.
Key Takeaways
Ron Olson’s approach to value investing offers valuable lessons for individuals seeking to build long-term wealth:
Adopt a Long-term Perspective
By focusing on the long term, investors can avoid the pitfalls of short-term market fluctuations and generate sustainable returns.
Focus on Business Quality
Investing in high-quality businesses with strong competitive advantages and talented management can lead to superior returns over the long term.
Maintain a Margin of Safety
Buying companies at a significant discount to their intrinsic value provides a buffer against potential losses and increases the potential for long-term gains.
Build Partnerships
Collaborating with talented management teams and like-minded investors can create a powerful synergy that drives long-term success.
Ron Olson’s strategic approach to value investing serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of long-term thinking, business quality and partnership. By embracing these principles, individuals can build a robust investment portfolio that generates sustainable returns over the long term.
Winchell House 
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