Written by: WSCL Marketing Team
From Classmates to Partners: Building Partnerships at Western State
For many attorneys, the story of their careers begins the day they walk across the stage at graduation. For Matt Koller and Robert Mummert, their story began long before that moment. As one of the founding partners, and the other being the first promoted partner at the thriving law firm Misa Stefen Koller Ward (MSKW), Matt and Robert trace their success all the way back to late-night study sessions, encouraging professors, and the sense of community they found at Western State College of Law, the oldest law school in Orange County and one of the most affordable in California. Today, leading a growing firm, they’re still guided by the values and lessons that shaped them as law students.
Matt and Robert both graduated from Western State in 2011, and thanks to finishing a semester apart, each had the rare honor of being named valedictorian. Their bond isn’t just about sharing a classroom; it’s about a shared determination to make the most of their legal education. “It was a great learning environment,” Matt remembers. “Western State really gave you the chance to get out what you put in. It was the perfect place to start learning how to think critically about the law and all the different situations you’ll face in practice.”
Robert feels the same way. “We were really set up to succeed in school, and outside of school,” he said. He also adds, “Matt and I had no idea what workers’ compensation was, even though that’s what we do now. We just focused on our work, preparing for the bar, our study group, and making the most of the resources we had. It was very beneficial.”
From Study Group to Partnership: How Collaboration Sparked Success
It’s not uncommon for law students to form tight-knit study groups, but for Matt and Robert, their group became the foundation for a lifelong partnership. As Matt puts it, “Being in the same study group with Robert, we both wanted to make the most of our experience, hoping we’d end up exactly where we are today.” Their time together at Western State wasn’t just about academics—it was about learning how to support each other, tackle challenges, and dream bigger.
Western State’s supportive atmosphere played a pivotal role. “You really felt like part of a community from the moment you arrived,” Matt explains. “The administration and professors took real pride in preparing alumni to make an impact in the Orange County legal community.” That sense of community stuck with both Matt and Robert and later inspired the supportive, people-first culture they strive for at MSKW.
Robert adds, “It never felt like a zero-sum game where someone had to lose for me to succeed. As students, you could feel the camaraderie. We were in the trenches together, all working toward the same goal as a team.”
Redefining What a Law Firm Can Be
After starting his career at a large law firm with over 100 attorneys, Matt and his partners, Teresa Ward, Martin Stefen and Mike Misa, realized they wanted a different kind of workplace, one that felt more personal and focused on people, rather than profits. So in 2016, they started MSKW with a clear goal: build a law firm where the culture and the way people treat each other matter just as much as winning cases. As Matt puts it, “A lot of firms feel stuck in the old ways, but it didn’t have to be that way. We didn’t want the standard law firm feel. That’s what inspired us to start MSKW, and it’s what still drives us today.”
Right from the start, Matt and his partners focused on building a firm where quality mattered more than rapid growth. “It’s about creating a good culture for our people, from our staff to our attorneys,” Matt says. “They like to be here. The same goes for our clients. We wouldn’t be able to grow without serving them well and providing real value.”
Robert’s decision to join MSKW in 2018 stemmed from his longstanding friendship with Matt. After law school, the two kept in touch through their study group. So when Matt reached out to say his firm was hiring, Robert was eager about the opportunity. “I knew that anyone starting a firm with Matt would have to be exceptional, someone who sets a high standard and is a genuinely great person,” he recalls. But what truly won Robert over was the atmosphere. “It wasn’t just talk. The culture here is something the partners take seriously. They follow through on what they say, and that really impressed me. I never looked back.”
Leading With Integrity
Honesty, integrity, and transparency are at the core of MKSW’s values. “We do our best to make sure those aren’t just empty words,” Matt says. “Being open and honest is what keeps everyone at the firm happy with their work, and it’s what makes clients feel confident in what we do.”
For Robert, these values are especially important when it comes to clients. “Nobody likes surprises—especially clients,” he explains. “Sometimes I have to be the bearer of bad news, but 100% of the time, clients appreciate it when you’re straightforward and honest, even if it’s tough to hear. That kind of transparency goes a long way.”
Quality Over Quantity
Unlike many law firms, MSKW makes sure workloads are manageable so that every client gets the attention they deserve. “We try to keep our attorneys’ caseloads at a level where they can really give each case their all,” Robert explains. “When someone is overloaded, even the best attorney can end up cutting corners, and that’s just not something we’re willing to risk.”
This commitment to quality over quantity is woven into the firm’s growth strategy. “If our attorneys are reaching their limits, that’s our cue to hire someone new so we don’t get stuck in a bottleneck,” Matt says. “In fact, earlier this year, we actually paused taking on new files for over a month just to make sure our team had room to breathe.” Clients notice and appreciate this level of transparency and commitment.
Fostering a Family-Like Culture
Both Matt and Robert are proud of the family-like culture they’ve built at MSKW. From decorating the office for the holidays to organizing group outings, they believe these shared moments are what sets their firm apart. “Work is work. Everyone has a job to do and a paycheck to earn,” Matt says. “But when you can actually enjoy it, when you look forward to coming in and being with your team, that’s something we’re really proud of.”
Robert agrees, highlighting the camaraderie among colleagues fostered by their annual firm celebrations. Whether it’s a day at the beach or ax-throwing, the team has opportunities to forge real connections. “You can’t build relationships just by sending emails every day,” he says. “Spending time together outside of work, having fun, and making memories—that’s what really brings us together as a team.”
Giving Back to Western State
Matt and Robert’s connection to Western State remains strong. Both are involved in the alumni network and actively look for opportunities to welcome Western State graduates to their firm. In fact, Robert landed his first job after law school thanks to those alumni ties. “The managing partner at that office was a Western State alum who reached out to one of my professors,” he recalls. “She recommended me, I went to the interview, and I got the job because of that connection.”
Now, Matt and Robert are looking to pay it forward. “Since we started the firm, we’ve interviewed and hired a few new grads and interns. It’s our way of giving others the same chance we had,” Matt explains. “We’re always open. We’re always looking for quality candidates, especially Western State alumni.” Robert encourages mentioning specific Western State educational experiences. “If you reach out to me to apply for a job and you’ve taken Western State’s workers’ compensation elective, make sure to mention that in your email,” he advises. “It really stands out to employers and shows you have a solid foundation.”
They both take pride in the strength of the Western State alumni community, especially in Orange County. “If you go to court around here, you’ll almost always find a Western State grad, a judge, or someone connected to the school,” Matt says. Robert adds, “One time in court in Santa Ana, I counted 11 fellow Western State grads. It honestly felt like being back on campus.”
How to Thrive at Western State
When it comes to advice for current students, both Matt and Robert echo the sentiment that you get what you put in at Western State. “You really need to dive in—go to office hours, talk to your professors, and get to know the way they think. You write your own future. Western State will help you do that and give you the support you need to get through law school and pass the bar.”
Robert advises being open. “Try different areas of law. You’re not going to know what you like until you give it a shot,” he says. They emphasize hard work, collaboration, and taking full advantage of every opportunity Western State offers. “Do the work,” Matt adds. “Law school isn’t easy. Nobody said it would be. But the effort you put in really does pay off in the end.”
Western State’s Lasting Impact
Matt Koller and Robert Mummert’s story is proof of what’s possible with a strong education, a supportive community, and a commitment to integrity and growth. Their path from late-night study group sessions to leading a respected law firm shows exactly what Western State College of Law hopes for every graduate: not only professional success, but also a lasting bond with a community built on mentorship, integrity, and the desire to help others.
Their journey is a powerful reminder that, at Western State, the seeds of tomorrow’s leaders are planted through genuine connections, shared values, and the ambition to make meaningful change, both in the legal field and beyond.