Our deeds and shared values define our culture. As a firm, we are equally passionate about delivering legal excellence and making a difference in the world. MoFo+ shares news and thought leadership from our lawyers and their teams who are proud to contribute to the legal profession and the communities we call home.<h2>About Morrison Foerster</h2>Morrison Foerster is a leading global law firm that transforms complexity into advantage for its clients. Our clients include some of the largest financial institutions, banks, consulting and accounting firms, and Fortune 100, technology, and life sciences companies. Highlighting the firm’s commitment to client service, leadership in market-changing deals and impact litigation, and values-based culture, Morrison Foerster has been repeatedly recognized as one of the top 10 firms on The American Lawyer’s A-List. Year after year, the firm receives significant recognition from Chambers and The Legal 500 across their various guides, including Global, USA, Asia‑Pacific, Europe, UK, Latin America, and FinTech Legal. Our lawyers passionately care about delivering legal excellence while living our values. Morrison Foerster has a long-standing commitment to creating a culture that respects and celebrates differences, while providing an inclusive environment. The firm has achieved Mansfield Certification Plus since 2018 as a result of successfully reaching at least 30 percent women, communities of color, and LGBTQ+ lawyer representation in a notable number of current leadership roles and committees. The firm also has a long history of commitment to the community and society through providing pro bono legal services, including litigating for civil rights and civil liberties, improving public education and fostering the wellbeing of children, advocating for veterans, promoting international human rights, enforcing the right to asylum, and safeguarding the environment.

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Jennifer K. Brown is Senior Pro Bono Counsel at Morrison & Foerster LLP, with responsibility for the overall direction of the firm’s pro bono program. Ms. Brown also develops pro bono opportunities and promotes lawyers’ participation in the firm’s offices on the east coast of the U.S. as well as in China, Hong Kong, and Singapore.Before joining Morrison Foerster, Ms. Brown was vice president and legal director of Legal Momentum, the nation's first women’s rights legal organization, originally known as the NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund. There, she directed cutting-edge litigation and policy advocacy focused on employment discrimination, domestic violence victims' rights, and sexuality and family rights. Previously, she served as the reproductive rights director with the Civil Rights Bureau of the Office of the New York Attorney General and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney with the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.Ms. Brown brings to the firm her deep knowledge of public interest legal organizations and the most pressing civil rights issues of the day. She has, as well, a rich array of litigation experience, having represented individuals as well as federal agencies and the public, from both the plaintiff and defense positions, in trial and appellate courts. As Senior Pro Bono Counsel, she applies this knowledge and experience to multiple goals: encouraging the firm's attorneys from all practice areas to bring pro bono projects to the firm; easing the way for attorneys to undertake meaningful pro bono service; and working with legal service and public interest organizations to identify creative ways to tap the passion and intellect of the firm's lawyers to pursue the public good. Recent achievements include collaborating with a legal services organization to represent individuals whose claims for unemployment insurance benefits are challenged, and forming a project to represent disabled individuals who are seeking federal disability benefits.Ms. Brown received her J.D. from Yale Law School in 1993, where she was essays editor of the Yale Law Journal (1992-1993) and was awarded the Benjamin Scharps and Israel H. Peres prizes for outstanding writing. Ms. Brown’s publications include, "The Nineteenth Amendment and Women's Equality," 102 Yale Law Journal 2175 (1993) (student note), and "Life and Death with Joan," in AIDS: The Women, Cleis Press, 1988.

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Senior Pro Bono Counsel

Staff

As senior pro bono counsel, Jennifer manages and promotes the pro bono participation of lawyers on the East Coast.

Jennifer K. Brown

Natalie Kernisant is Morrison Foerster’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer.Natalie provides strategic leadership to advance recruiting and retention of talent with a wide range of experiences and perspectives at the firm, as well as providing client development support in the area of diversity and inclusion. She works closely with the firm’s Diversity Strategy Committee co-chairs Alexis Amezcua, Purvi Patel, and Mark Whitaker, and Women’s Strategy Committee co-chairs Carrie Cohen, Julie Park, and Stacey Sprenkel.Natalie joined Morrison Foerster in November 2013. She was appointed to the newly created role of Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer in December 2020, having previously served as the firm’s Global Director of Diversity and Inclusion.Prior to joining Morrison Foerster, Natalie served as Human Resources Manager for Risk Management within Global Banking and Markets at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Before that, she practiced trademark and copyright law and then served as the Special Projects Manager in the Office of Institutional Policy & Planning at Harvard Medical School overseeing the school’s 2011 accreditation process.In 2021, Natalie was named by Crain’s New York Business to its list of Notable Black Leaders & Executives 2021. The special section recognizes black men and women who have impacted New York City in major ways and sets out to honor their professional, civic, and philanthropic achievements. In 2023, Natalie was recognized as one of Savoy Magazine’s 2023 Most Influential Executives in Diversity & Inclusion. She was also selected to Law360’s Diversity & Inclusion Editorial Advisory Board, whose goal is to provide feedback on Law360’s coverage as well as expert insight on how to shape future coverage. Additionally, she was recognized in the Financial Times 2023 North America Innovative Lawyers report as one of seven individual “Change Makers” in the legal industry for her strategic leadership of the firm’s efforts to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. In 2024, Natalie was named as a Change Driver in the Annual Diversity Awards of World IP Review (WIPR). The annual Diversity Awards recognize those who have made exceptional contributions to diversity and inclusion in the field of intellectual property.During Natalie’s tenure at MoFo, the firm has received multiple <a href="/culture/diversity#page-section-4" target="_self">diversity and inclusion awards and recognitions</a>.

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Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer

Partner

Natalie Kernisant is Morrison Foerster’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer.

Natalie Kernisant provides strategic leadership to advance recruiting and retention of diverse talent at Morrison Foerster, as well as providing client development support in the area of diversity and inclusion.

Natalie Kernisant

Dorothy L. Fernandez is Pro Bono Counsel based in the Denver office of Morrison & Foerster LLP. She is responsible for managing and promoting the participation of lawyers in the firm’s extensive pro bono program which includes, among other things, providing free legal services to low-income individuals, advising nonprofit organizations and assisting in other matters that serve the public interest. Dorothy’s primary focus is on working with lawyers in the firm’s Austin, Los Angeles, San Diego, Denver and Tokyo offices.In 1999, Dorothy joined Morrison & Foerster as an associate in the Securities Litigation, Enforcement and White-Collar Criminal Defense Group. She was elected a partner of the firm in 2004. Dorothy handled complex litigation at the state, federal and appellate levels and was responsible for drafting key dispositive motions in some of the firm’s largest securities litigation matters. In addition, she had an active pro bono practice and represented clients in individual matters, as well as cases addressing the treatment of children in foster care and the rights of LGBT individuals.A dedicated advocate for the LGBT community, Dorothy has served as co-chair of the board of directors of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and she also served on the board of the Pride Law Fund, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to law students working on issues related to the equal rights of LGBT citizens and people living with HIV/AIDS.Dorothy graduated from Stanford University in 1992 with a B.A. in psychology. She earned a J.D. in 1996 from Harvard Law School, where she was a member of the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review and co-chair of HLS Lambda. She has taught as an adjunct instructor at both Golden Gate University Law School and Santa Clara University Law School.

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Dorothy works with lawyers in our Denver, Los Angeles, and San Diego offices on various pro bono initiatives.

Dorothy Fernandez

Rachel Williams is pro bono counsel based in Morrison & Foerster’s San Francisco office. She is responsible for managing and promoting the participation of lawyers in the firm’s extensive program of providing free legal services to low-income individuals, to nonprofit organizations, and in matters that serve the public interest. Rachel works primarily with lawyers in the firm’s San Francisco, Palo Alto, London, Berlin, and Brussels offices. She is an active member of the Disaster Legal Assistance Collaborative and the board of directors of OneJustice. Rachel joined the firm in 1999. Prior to becoming a pro bono counsel, Rachel was a litigation associate in the firm’s Palo Alto office and worked on attorney training and development initiatives. Before law school, Rachel worked for various nonprofit organizations, was an investigator for the public defender’s office in Seattle, and served as a Coro Public Affairs Fellow in New York City.

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Pro Bono Counsel

Rachel is responsible for managing and promoting the participation of lawyers in the firm’s extensive program of providing free legal services to low-income individuals, to nonprofit organizations, and in matters that serve the public interest.

Rachel Williams

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Morrison Foerster has a long-standing commitment to diversity, inclusion, and pro bono work. MoFo+ shares news and thought leadership from our lawyers and their teams who are proud to contribute to the legal profession and the communities we call home.

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Dorothy L. Fernandez

Rachel P. Williams

MoFo Celebrates 25 Years in San Diego

MoFo Celebrates Earth Day

Celebrating Black History Month with Maya Wiley, President and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

Faces of MoFo: Dominick Divine III

MoFo's Women of Color Collective: A Conversation with CCWC’s Laurie Robinson Haden

This year, MoFo celebrated the 25th anniversary of its San Diego office opening. To mark the special occasion, members of MoFo’s San Diego office welcomed roughly 130 guests, including alumni, clients, friends, community leaders, and members of the local technology, life sciences, biotech, business, and philanthropic communities, for an evening of celebration and reflection on May 21, 2025.The theme of the celebration was Milestones at MoFo San Diego: Celebrating 25 Years and a Fresh New Space, highlighting the firm’s longstanding presence in San Diego and the unveiling of its newly renovated office, which was modernized to create a more efficient and functional workspace that better supports collaboration. San Diego office managing partner <a href="https://www.mofo.com/people/julie-park" target="_blank">Julie Park</a> was recently featured in a <a href="https://www.law360.com/pulse/california-pulse/articles/2343314?nl_pk=4f10a8ed-4bd0-489e-9264-b41253d44522&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pulse/california-pulse&utm_content=2025-05-21&read_main=1&nlsidx=0&nlaidx=0" target="_blank">Law360 article</a> discussing the renovation.MoFo also used the occasion as an opportunity to give back to the local community. Attendees enjoyed a variety of carnival games, including Toss the Hat on a Bull’s Horn, Mini Hoops, Ring on a Bottle, and more. Winners received tickets, which they could place in designated buckets representing their charity of choice. Rather than giving away branded swag, MoFo matched the value of the tickets with donations to four local charities: Solutions for Change, Legal Aid Society of San Diego, the San Diego LGBT Community Center, and Feeding San Diego. In addition, the MoFo Foundation contributed $500 to each charity. By the end of the night, the firm had donated a total of $5,000 across the four organizations.Three of the office’s former managing partners were in attendance, including Jim Mullen, Head of Intellectual Property at Bluesphere Bio Inc., <a href="https://www.mofo.com/people/steve-rowles" target="_blank">Steve Rowles</a>, Chair of MoFo’s San Diego Corporate Group, and Craig Schloss, Mediator at Signature Resolution.MoFo Chair <a href="https://www.mofo.com/people/eric-mccrath" target="_blank">Eric McCrath</a> addressed attendees during the celebration, acknowledging the contributions of the former office managing partners who helped shape the office’s legacy. He also emphasized the importance of looking forward under the leadership of current office managing partner Julie Park. “With leadership like [Julie’s], I think it is safe to say that we are ready for another 25 years of success in San Diego,” Eric said.With many of its attorneys possessing advanced science degrees, the San Diego office plays a pivotal role in the firm’s ecosystem—described in one <a href="https://www.dailyjournal.com/article/385631-morrison-foerster-marks-25-years-in-san-diego" target="_blank">Daily Journal article</a> as “a hub for complex litigation and life sciences.”<a href="https://www.mofo.com/offices#san-diego" target="_blank">Learn more</a> about MoFo’s San Diego office and its people.<span alt="San Diego Office Managing Partner and Co-chair of the firm's Complex Litigation + Advisement practice group Julie Park and Morrison Foerster Chair Eric McCrath." inline="true" class="embedded-asset" content-type-uid="sys_assets" type="asset" asset-alt="San Diego Office Managing Partner and Co-chair of the firm's Complex Litigation + Advisement practice group Julie Park and Morrison Foerster Chair Eric McCrath." data-sys-asset-filelink="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blt4a875fa990f6c823/683e10a2116bcf4b8f21ea76/250602-san-diego-office.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" data-sys-asset-uid="blt4a875fa990f6c823" data-sys-asset-filename="250602-san-diego-office.jpg" data-sys-asset-contenttype="image/jpeg" data-sys-asset-alt="San Diego Office Managing Partner and Co-chair of the firm's Complex Litigation + Advisement practice group Julie Park and Morrison Foerster Chair Eric McCrath." data-sys-asset-position="none" sys-style-type="display"><img class="rich-text-embed-image" alt="San Diego Office Managing Partner and Co-chair of the firm&#x27;s Complex Litigation + Advisement practice group Julie Park and Morrison Foerster Chair Eric McCrath." src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blt4a875fa990f6c823/683e10a2116bcf4b8f21ea76/250602-san-diego-office.jpg?format=auto&amp;quality=60">San Diego Office Managing Partner and Co-chair of the firm's Complex Litigation + Advisement practice group Julie Park and Morrison Foerster Chair Eric McCrath.

MoFo takes pride in championing efforts that promote environmental sustainability and conservation. Providing pro bono legal services to organizations dedicated to protecting the planet is a key part of this commitment. In celebration of Earth Day, we spotlight a few of the many partners we collaborate with to make a meaningful difference and help build a more sustainable future for all.The firm recently began providing legal counsel to <a href="https://wildlandscapes.org/" target="_blank">WildLandscapes International</a>, a nonprofit organization with environmental conservation projects in the United States and around the globe. Our advisory support focuses on governance matters, including compliance policies in the areas of national security, anti-money laundering, and countering the financing of terrorism (CFT). WildLandscapes collaborates with a diverse range of stakeholders and communities to conserve expansive, ecologically vital landscapes for the benefit of both wildlife and people.Since 2020, MoFo has provided legal counsel to the <a href="https://rhinos.org/" target="_blank">International Rhino Foundation</a> on a range of matters. The foundation is a nonprofit conservation organization whose mission is “to ensure the survival of rhinos through strategic partnerships, targeted protection, and scientifically sound interventions.”MoFo lawyers in Berlin are advising <a href="https://foej.de/en/start-eng" target="_blank">Förderverein Ökologische Freiwilligendienste E.V.</a> (FÖF) on matters related to its website and employment practices. FÖF provides educational volunteer opportunities for young people in Germany, ages 16 to 27, who are not currently enrolled in school, by placing them with environmental organizations across the country. The organization also administers a volunteer program for adults seeking to explore their interests in environmental conservation.Lawyers across several MoFo offices continue to advise <a href="https://www.solarbuddy.org/" target="_blank">SolarBuddy</a> on patents and various aspects of its programs, which involve entities in Australia, the United States, and affiliated LLCs. SolarBuddy’s mission is to provide solar-powered lights to children around the world living in homes without electricity, enabling them and their families to read, study, and engage in other indoor activities after dark. This initiative also helps reduce reliance on energy sources like coal, wood, and kerosene, which can be costly and cause harmful indoor air pollution. <a href="https://www.mofo.com/culture/pro-bono" target="_blank">Learn more</a> about MoFo’s pro bono efforts.

MoFo Celebrates Earth Day

In honor of Black History Month, Morrison Foerster (MoFo) hosted an event featuring <a href="https://civilrights.org/about/our-staff/maya-wiley/" target="_blank">Maya Wiley</a>, the president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. The event, moderated by Tiffani Figueroa, a litigation partner at MoFo, provided a platform for Maya to share her insights on civil rights, her personal journey, and the current socio-political climate in the United States.Maya, a distinguished civil rights attorney, began by reflecting on the significance of Black History Month and the ongoing struggle for racial justice. She emphasized the importance of understanding the historical context of civil rights movements and the role of the Leadership Conference in advocating for federal action and public education on civil rights issues.During the discussion, Maya talked about what she views as the current constitutional crisis in the U.S. She underscored the importance of coalition-building and litigation as tools to protect civil rights. She also shared her personal journey, influenced by her activist parents, which shaped her career in civil rights law. Finally, she introduced her new memoir, Remember, You Are a Wiley, which delves into her family’s legacy and her own experiences in the legal field as a Black woman.Focusing on the next generation, Maya gave advice to young lawyers on how to navigate the legal profession. She stressed the importance of maintaining self-belief, seeking growth opportunities, and finding allies to support one’s career journey. In closing, she spoke about the importance of maintaining mental health and finding joy amidst challenging work. She encouraged everyone to draw inspiration from history and to remain hopeful and passionate about the potential for change.The event concluded with a Q&A session, where Maya addressed questions on racism, resilience, and the power of personal stories in advocacy. This event was a vivid reminder of the ongoing struggle for civil rights and the importance of collective action in the face of adversity. MoFo is proud to have hosted such a meaningful discussion honoring Black History Month.Learn more about inclusivity by visiting MoFo’s <a href="https://www.mofo.com/culture/diversity" target="_blank">diversity page</a>.

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Tiffani B. Figueroa is a partner in the Litigation Department and is based in Morrison Foerster’s New York office. Her practice focuses on complex litigation, with an emphasis on class action and commercial litigation.

Tiffani B. Figueroa

Tiffani Figueroa

Editors’ Note: Read about Dominick Divine III, a Los Angeles associate in the firm’s Transactions Department, in the latest installment of our ongoing Faces of MoFo series.My path to becoming an attorney wasn’t exactly set in stone. Sure, throughout my younger years, there was always the nudging encouragement from others that pursuing a law career was just the thing to do, but my understanding of attorney life was limited to the dramatized TV version. As I grew older, I began to think: Why should I go through extra years of school when I’m already tired of it? Why would I want to subject myself to the headache of arguing with random people in a courtroom all day?Instead, I opted to pursue a career in business marketing. Growing up in the vibrant cultural hotbed of Los Angeles, I thought marketing looked like the flashy and exciting path, and my undergrad major had a specific focus on applied learning in societal transformation. This pathway taught me a lot about understanding and remaining at the forefront of this diverse and changing society to try to develop skills needed to promote positive societal change. From developing a marketing strategy with Snoop Dogg on a line of vegan pork rinds, to pitching a marketing campaign to film executives for Dune (2021), the marketing work itself was exciting, but it didn’t feel fulfilling. The medium didn’t quite fit my needs. My interest in the marketing space became less certain, and, by chance, one of the general required courses in the business program was business law.The only business law class offered at my preferred time of day was with a new professor who had never taught at the university, which we all know is usually a red flag to avoid for fear of the unknown, potentially leading to a brutal semester. Long story short, I really took a liking to the class, and that “new professor” became and is still one of my most supportive mentors today. She was the one who ultimately convinced me to take a chance on a career in law, and she generously took so much time out of her busy schedule to help me prepare to make the leap. I’m a first-generation law student, so when I got to school, I still hardly knew a thing about the life of an attorney. The only guidance I had was that I knew I wanted to do something in business and, thinking back to my aversion to arguing with random people in court, I was going to avoid litigation like a moldy piece of bread.I joined MoFo during my first summer in 2021 as a 1L Wetmore Fellow, and I ended up never leaving. From the attorneys to the business professionals, each person I met at the firm brought kindness and support, and generally made my transition into firm life so smooth. The opportunities and experiences have also been incredible. In my second summer, the firm brought the summer Wetmore Fellows from across the U.S. to the San Francisco office for a few days to connect with each other and firm leadership. This past year, I also had the opportunity to attend a junior associate conference near Washington, D.C., where I was able to connect with associates from across the country and seasoned mentors that provided invaluable career and general life advice. I’d also like to give a special shoutout to my LA Real Estate Group, who have invested so much time and energy in supporting my growth as a real estate attorney and who have trusted me to handle many challenging assignments from real estate assistance on M&A deals to all matters of work in real estate-specific deals. In my pro bono work, I’ve had the opportunity to expand on the lessons I learned in my marketing course toward promoting positive societal change. I’ve volunteered for a FEMA Appeals Clinic to help disaster survivors seek assistance for home and property repairs, and I was able to provide assistance in a matter for the Nature Conservancy to secure a long-term lease of land for uses primarily associated with habitat restoration and conservation.Outside of work, I’m a huge anime buff, and I enjoy being immersed in all types of musical performances from one-off concerts to full-blown festivals. Finally, no profile of mine would be complete without mentioning that my favorite restaurant is Buffalo Wild Wings. My partner and I have been going every week for the past several years. It’s to the point where the staff has memorized our order, and they put it in for us the second we walk in the restaurant. Definitely my biggest flex.

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Associate

Dominick is an associate in the Real Estate Group in Morrison Foerster’s Los Angeles office, where he represents clients in complex commercial real estate transactions, including financing, acquisition, development, leasing, operations, and management matters.

Dominick Divine III

Dominick Divine

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We are excited to announce that MoFo is expanding our Affinity Program to include our Women of Color Collective (WoCC), led by San Francisco partner Christin Hill and New York partner Tammy Davies. The collective provides an opportunity for members to connect and celebrate their valuable perspectives. By fostering opportunities for meaningful engagement with clients, we aim to elevate and share our collective experiences as women of color in our industry.In January, we officially launched the WoCC with a kickoff event in the New York office, where Tammy was joined by <a href="https://ccwomenofcolor.org/founder-ceo/" target="_blank">Laurie Robinson Haden</a>, the founder, president, and CEO of Corporate Counsel Women of Color (CCWC), for a discussion about the importance of diversity and inclusion and supporting women of color in the legal profession.Laurie grew up in a predominantly African American community near Washington, D.C., where her parents’ professional roles instilled in her a strong sense of ambition and possibility. She attended North Carolina Central University, an HBCU, where she thrived in leadership roles, and later pursued her legal education at Indiana University School of Law at Bloomington, where she experienced being a minority for the first time, which shaped her understanding of diversity.Her career began with an internship with the National Football League in New York City, where she built her network from scratch using traditional methods. This led to positions at Epstein, Becker, and Green, and ultimately CBS Corporation, where she rose to Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel of Litigation.In 2004, Laurie founded CCWC, inspired by her experiences of isolation and the lack of networks available to women of color in corporate legal environments. Initially, the organization began as a small gathering of 10 women who met to share their experiences and support each other in navigating their careers.Laurie recognized the potential for a broader network and created a directory that contained members’ details and facilitated connections among women of color in the legal field. The concept quickly gained traction, and within a week, the network expanded to 50 women, as members shared the directory with their contacts.CCWC's growth was exponential, and it now connects 30,000 attorneys globally. The organization provides a platform for women of color to network, share experiences, and access opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable.Laurie’s career progression at CBS Corporation was significantly influenced by her proactive networking and leadership skills, which she honed through her early experiences and the founding of CCWC. Her ability to create impactful connections and demonstrate her value was further exemplified in her relationship with her sponsor Louis Briskman, whom she credits as having played a pivotal role in her career development.Laurie first gained Louis’ attention through her active participation in company initiatives, which allowed her to demonstrate her leadership and organizational skills. Impressed by her work with the CCWC, Louis recognized her potential and offered her a position working directly for him, bypassing traditional hierarchies. Their relationship was mutually beneficial, as Laurie consistently delivered high-quality work, which led Louis to provide her with high-visibility assignments and introductions to key executives, further advancing her career. Laurie highlights this relationship as an example of how a sponsor can significantly impact one’s career by offering visibility and advocating for professional growth.Laurie’s new book, It’s Time to Shine: A Guide for Professionals of Color on How to Advance Their Career, is the culmination of over 20 years of professional experience and shares valuable insights and lessons she has learned throughout her career. She was motivated to write the book after observing many executives rise within corporations only to eventually stagnate or transition out without passing on their knowledge and experiences to the next generation. Designed to be a playbook that readers can refer to at different stages of their careers, the book offers guidance on setting and achieving career goals and encourages readers to advocate for themselves.Laurie concluded the discussion by emphasizing that in uncertain times, resilience and perseverance are crucial, urging individuals to know their value and identity to confidently navigate challenges.“No matter what happens—maybe somebody might yell at you or say you don’t belong here—you’ve got to shine,” she said. “You’re driving your career.”

Pearlstein v. BlackBerry Ltd.

Broadscale OC Investors v. Clayton

Murphy v. Precision Castparts Corp.

Klein v. Ellison et al.

Rosenow v. Facebook.

In re Ocera Therapeutics, Inc.

MaxLinear, Inc.

Technology Storage Company

Energy Company

AI Computing Company

Financial Services Company

Global Venture Investor

Former CFO of Pharmaceutical Company

Private Technology Company

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Christin Hill is a partner in Morrison Foerster’s San Francisco office and a member of the firm's Securities Litigation group.

Christin Hill

Christin Hill is a partner in Morrison Foerster’s San Francisco office and a member of the firm's Securities Litigation group.

Christin J. Hill

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Tammy Davies is a partner in Morrison Foerster’s New York office and member of the firm’s Finance Group.

Tammy C. Davies

Tammy Davies

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MoFo recently won asylum for a Cameroonian man after more than 10 years of persistent advocacy through multiple procedural tangles. The firm’s client was persecuted by the ruling party in Cameroon, CPDM, and feared returning to Cameroon because he had been arrested, detained, and tortured by the CPDM on multiple occasions based on his political opinion and activity with an opposition political party.The client initially arrived in the United States in 2013 with a D-1 crewmember visa after securing a job on a Greek ship scheduled to depart from the U.S. Just before his departure however, his home in Cameroon was burned down in what he feared was an act of further persecution. Consequently, he made the decision to seek asylum instead of joining the ship’s crew. In February 2014, MoFo submitted an asylum application on his behalf. However, due to his entry on a D-1 visa, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) determined that it lacked jurisdiction over his asylum claim and referred the claim to immigration court. Due to a clerical error, a notice to appear in immigration court was never issued and the client’s asylum application sat pending for several years. During this time, the client married a U.S. citizen and filed an application to adjust his status based on the marriage, which was denied because of the D-1 visa issue.In 2020, USCIS reissued the notice to appear at the request of MoFo, effectively restarting the client's asylum application process before the immigration court. In early July of this year, the MoFo team submitted supplementary evidence to support the client’s application. Finally, on July 17, the government attorney conceded the majority of the issues raised in the client’s application and limited her cross-examination to the nexus between the client’s political opinion and his detention and torture at the hands of the CPDM. As a result, the Judge granted the client asylum at the hearing, holding that he had established that he was persecuted based on his political opinion and had a reasonable fear of returning to Cameroon.The MoFo team representing the client was led by Washington, D.C. partner Mary Prendergast, and included New York of counsel Jonathan Newmark, Washington, D.C. associate Joshua Fattal, and New York associate Michael Ahern, with support from Washington, D.C. paralegal Clara Chilian. The case was referred to MoFo by Human Rights First, a leading nonprofit whose Refugee Representation program trains and mentors pro bono lawyers to represent asylum seekers across the U.S.“The MoFo team was proud to be able to secure our client’s asylum status after a long and circuitous path through USCIS and immigration court,” said Michael Ahern. “We hope that this decision provides closure for our client and allows him to open a new chapter of his life in the U.S.” The team continues to work with the client on applications for his three children, who currently live in Cameroon, to join him in the U.S. as derivative beneficiaries of his asylum status.<a href="https://www.mofo.com/culture/pro-bono" target="_blank">Learn more</a> about MoFo’s pro bono efforts.

MoFo Wins Asylum for Cameroonian Political Refugee

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Mary is a trial lawyer with extensive experience litigating patent and trade secrets cases in courts across the country and at the International Trade Commission (ITC).

Mary Prendergast

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Michael Ahern is an associate in the Litigation Department of Morrison Foerster’s New York office.
Prior to joining Morrison Foerster, Mr. Ahern clerked for the Honorable Eileen Bransten in the Comm

Michael G. Ahern

Michael Ahern

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Joshua R. Fattal is an associate in Morrison Foerster’s Privacy + Data Security Group. He advises clients across industries on data protection best practices, product development, complex national and international regulatory compliance, transaction diligence, incident preparedness and response, and emerging topics, such as the use of artificial intelligence (AI).