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 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 Supervising Counsel, Pro Bono at Morrison Foerster, 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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Supervising Counsel, Pro Bono

Staff

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

Jennifer Brown

Natalie Kernisant is Morrison Foerster’s Chief Workplace Experience 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 inclusion and engagement strategy. She works closely with the firm’s Community Advisory Board and leaders of our various Affinity Programs. Natalie joined Morrison Foerster in November 2013. She was appointed to the newly created role of Chief Workplace Experience Officer in 2025, after having served first as the firm’s Global Director of Diversity and Inclusion and then as the firm’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. 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="/community/we-at-mofo/inclusion#awards" target="_self">diversity and inclusion awards and recognitions</a>.

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Chief Workplace Engagement Officer

Partner

Natalie Kernisant is Morrison Foerster’s Chief Workplace Experience 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 Senior Pro Bono Counsel based in the Denver office of Morrison Foerster. 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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Senior Pro Bono Counsel

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

Dorothy Fernandez

Rachel Williams is Senior 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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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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The Move That Matters: Lateral Associate Spotlight | Lyna Luo

The Move That Matters: Lateral Associate Spotlight | Sarah Denhard

Network Like a MoFo: Reimagining Professional Growth

The Move that Matters: Lateral Associate Spotlight | Joshua Fattal

MoFo Navigate: Celebrating the Power of Mentorship

Editor’s Note: In our Lateral Associate Spotlight series, we feature associates reflecting on their path to MoFo and the experiences shaping their professional development. In this installment, Lyna Luo, a transactions associate in our Singapore office, shares how collaborative cross-office teams and a strong culture of mentorship has made her transition to the firm both rewarding and impactful.Tell us who you are and what you do at MoFo.I’m Lyna, an associate in the Finance Group based in MoFo’s Singapore office. I grew up in New Zealand and that’s where I began my legal career before moving to Singapore. My practice focuses on energy and infrastructure projects. I advise developers and lenders on the development, financing, and acquisition of projects across Southeast Asia and other emerging markets, with a particular focus on renewable power projects and energy transition matters.What’s been the most energizing part of joining the firm?It’s the people and the clients. I’ve been lucky to work with clients who trust and rely on our knowledge, which means the work is interesting and rewarding from day one. Our teams are lean, so I work directly with partners across multiple offices, and the working relationships are very collaborative. There’s a real openness to different perspectives, and your input is valued regardless of seniority. That level of mutual respect makes a big difference.What has genuinely surprised you since joining?First, how generous partners are with their time. It’s common at MoFo for a partner to pull you into their office, do a page turn of their comments with you, walk you through their thinking, and invite you to ask questions or push back. At a lot of firms, there’s an unspoken feeling that you shouldn’t take up too much of a partner’s time, so that level of investment really stands out. Second, how seamless the cross-office collaboration is. I regularly work on matters with partners in different offices and time zones and it just works. It feels like one team rather than separate offices doing their own thing.How does MoFo compare with your past roles when it comes to workplace environment, training, and mentoring?The mentoring has been one of the biggest differences for me. I have monthly catch-ups with a partner outside of the formal review process where we discuss areas for improvement, skills to focus on, and anything I want to raise. Those check-ins are really valuable because I can talk through things while they’re still fresh, rather than waiting months for a formal review where half of it has been forgotten. It means there’s always someone in your corner who knows where you’re at and is actively helping you grow.What would you tell someone considering a move to MoFo?Don’t let perceptions of U.S. law firms deter you from exploring the opportunity. While expectations are high, they’re in line with other leading firms, and the focus on delivering strong, thoughtful work will feel familiar if you hold yourself to a high standard. The pace and intensity are comparable across many top-tier legal environments, so it’s less about where you are and more about finding the right fit for your goals and working style. What you do get at MoFo is interesting, complex work, collaborative teams, and people who are invested in helping you grow. If you’re looking for a place where you’ll be challenged and supported, it’s a great place to be.

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Associate

Lyna Luo is an associate in the firm's Finance group.

Lyna Luo

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Editor’s Note: In our Lateral Associate Spotlight series, we feature associates reflecting on their path to MoFo and the experiences shaping their professional development. In this installment, Sarah Denhard, a Transactions associate in our New York office, offers perspective on her transition to the firm and shares practical advice for someone considering a move to MoFo.If I were talking to someone thinking about making the jump to MoFo, I’d encourage them to be intentional from day one. One of the most helpful things I did early on at the firm was reaching out to people in more niche practice areas that I was curious about, even when I wasn’t staffed on their matters. Setting up short introductory conversations gave me a better understanding of the range of work happening across the firm and helped me think more clearly about how to shape my own practice. It has also made it much easier to express interest as opportunities arise.I’d also encourage new joiners to get to know people outside the context of assignments. Some of the most valuable relationships I’ve built started with a quick coffee or lunch that had nothing to do with a specific project. Taking the time to build genuine connections makes collaboration more seamless and makes the day-to-day experience more enjoyable. MoFo is full of smart, interesting people, and those relationships really matter.Practically speaking, be proactive, responsive, and thoughtful in your work. Ask questions to understand the bigger picture, be reliable with deadlines, and treat every assignment as a chance to build your reputation. If you take ownership of your development and make the effort to connect with others, you’ll put yourself in a strong position to make the most of what the firm has to offer.

Sarah Denhard is an associate in the New York office and is a member of the firm’s Emerging Companies + Venture Capital practice group.

Sarah R. Denhard

Sarah Denhard

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The Move That Matters: Lateral Associate Spotlight | Sarah Denhard

Networking is essential to career growth, whether you are exploring opportunities within your current organization or considering a new professional path. And yet, the word alone can feel intimidating, particularly for those who identify as introverts. For many lawyers, networking feels like forced small talk, self-promotion, or stepping into a salesperson’s shoes. Lawyers are trained to advocate for others, so making the case for oneself can feel difficult. At <a href="https://www.mofo.com/about/alumni#mofo-next" target="_blank">MoFo</a>, we encourage you to think differently. While supporting professionals seeking to improve their networking skills, the lightbulb moment happens when we reframe the entire concept. Instead of looking at networking as self-promotion, think of it as research. When you approach a conversation as you would an investigation, by gathering data, understanding the landscape, and evaluating your interests, the pressure lifts, the goal becomes clearer, and the experience becomes more useful. <h5>Research helps you refine your own interests. </h5>Every conversation provides clues. Notice what energizes you and makes you lean in—and what doesn’t. Curiosity is a compass. When something resonates, pay attention. When it doesn’t, that’s information too. <h5>Research equips you with language and insight. </h5>If you discover a product, service, or role that interests you, these conversations will help you internalize the vocabulary, context, and industry details and enable you to articulate your value more effectively. You’re not fabricating a pitch; you’re evolving and customizing it through real knowledge. There is also a human element backed by behavioral science. In her recent book, Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves, Allison Wood Brooks highlights a compelling finding: the more questions you ask someone, the more they tend to like you, and the more likely they will be to think of you when opportunities emerge. When networking with a goal in mind, whether a job search, business development, or broader professional growth, lean into curiosity. Ask generously. At its core, networking is about building relationships. As Brooks so eloquently teaches us, research can do just the same. Here are three different use cases for leveraging “research” as means for learning, building relationships, and achieving your goals. <h5>Networking for Career Transition </h5>Research consistently shows that more than 70% of job seekers find new opportunities through networking. But that doesn’t mean you should lead with, “I’m a sixth-year M&A associate exploring new opportunities.” Instead, reach out with genuine inquiry. Ask people about their roles and what they do day to day. Ask about the products, services, or missions that drive their organization. Ask about their career path, why they made certain decisions, what they’ve learned, what they didn’t expect. These conversations are far more likely to open doors because they build rapport and help you decide whether the work resonates with you. <h5>Networking for Business Development </h5>For senior associates and new partners, stepping into business development can feel daunting and high-stakes. Instead, approach it as something you do every day: research. Reach out to clients, alumni, and peers not to pitch, but to learn. Ask about their priorities and challenges, what keeps them up at night, and what they wish they had more time or resources to tackle. These conversations deepen understanding and trust. Over time, trust is what leads people to pick up the phone when they need help. <h5>Networking for Internal Growth </h5>Your internal network is just as important as your external one. Demonstrating curiosity about colleagues’ work, especially that of senior associates and partners, signals initiative, engagement, and commitment to growth. When people see your interest, they are more likely to bring you into new matters, give you stretch opportunities, or involve you where your strengths can shine.<h5>Embracing the Long Game </h5>There’s no perfect formula for networking. It requires time, intention, and a willingness to experiment. Everyone missteps occasionally; that’s part of the process. What matters most is approaching people with genuine interest. Dale Carnegie captured this sentiment beautifully: “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” It’s time we all reimagine networking not as a performance, but as ongoing research that reveals opportunities and provides the clarity to envision what you want next. So, keep that investigative hat on and get out there, because a world of knowledge and opportunities is waiting.

Editor's Note: In our Lateral Associate Spotlight series, we feature associates reflecting on their path to MoFo and the experiences shaping their professional development. In this installment, Joshua Fattal, a litigation associate in our Washington, D.C. office, shares how advising on first-of-their-kind data, AI, and cybersecurity matters, alongside a highly collaborative team, has accelerated his growth at the firm. <h5>Tell us who you are and what you do at MoFo. </h5>I am a senior associate in MoFo’s Data, Cyber + Privacy Group, where I advise clients across industries on complex data protection matters and emerging regulatory challenges. My practice focuses on issues at the intersection of data privacy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies, and national security. I help clients navigate rapidly evolving compliance landscapes while developing practical, business-oriented solutions to their most pressing data-related concerns. <h5>What’s been the most energizing part of joining the firm? </h5>The passion and commitment my colleagues bring to their work. The attorneys with whom I work are always excited to take on complex legal issues and provide the best possible service to our clients. While the work can be challenging, knowing I am part of a team that is so committed to excellence makes a huge difference. <h5>What has genuinely surprised you since joining? </h5>How consistently our work sits at the forefront of the industry. While I knew MoFo had an impressive client roster, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how often I work on truly novel matters, advising a market-leading company on newly enacted legislation or helping clients navigate compliance challenges without established precedent. It has been great to have the opportunity to shape how emerging legal frameworks are interpreted and applied. <h5>How does MoFo compare with your past roles when it comes to workplace environment, training, and mentoring? </h5>MoFo stands out for its genuine investment in associate development. Partners consistently create opportunities for associates to take on substantive responsibilities and expand their skill sets. The mentoring here goes beyond formal programs; it’s part of the culture, with senior attorneys actively invested in helping you build your career. <h5>What would you tell someone considering a move to MoFo? </h5>We have a saying that we take our work seriously, but we don’t take ourselves seriously—and I’ve found that to be true. To practice here means working on sophisticated, high-stakes matters alongside colleagues who are approachable and collaborative. If you’re looking for a place where you can do meaningful work with people you enjoy working with, MoFo is the firm for you.

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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).

Joshua R. Fattal

Joshua Fattal

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During National Mentoring Month, and every month, we recognize the important role mentorship plays in fostering an engaged, inclusive, and supportive MoFo community. Through both structured programs and everyday interactions, mentoring helps develop talent, strengthen relationships, and reinforce our shared commitment to excellence. Highlighted below are just a few stories, among many, that show how mentorship has shaped careers at MoFo.<div><span class="rich-text-component-embed" data-component-info="{&quot;uid&quot;:&quot;blt849db5b280a2e1d3&quot;,&quot;_version&quot;:2,&quot;locale&quot;:&quot;en-us&quot;,&quot;table_source&quot;:&quot;&lt;div style=\&quot;position:relative;width:auto;padding:0 0 338.22%;height:0;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;margin:0;border:0 none\&quot; id=\&quot;experience-696fbc75b2eb2\&quot; data-aspectRatio=\&quot;0.29566626\&quot;&gt;&lt;iframe allowfullscreen src=\&quot;https://view.ceros.com/mofo/a-celebration-of-mentorship-at-mofo?heightOverride=2469\&quot; style=\&quot;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;margin:0;padding:0;border:0 none;height:1px;width:1px;min-height:100%;min-width:100%\&quot; frameborder=\&quot;0\&quot; class=\&quot;ceros-experience\&quot; title=\&quot;A Celebration of Mentorship at Mofo\&quot; scrolling=\&quot;no\&quot;&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Ceros - MoFo Navigate: Celebrating the Power of Mentorship&quot;,&quot;publish_details&quot;:{&quot;time&quot;:&quot;2026-02-12T17:39:42.622Z&quot;,&quot;user&quot;:&quot;blt02c6960575474003&quot;,&quot;environment&quot;:&quot;bltf4674cd9142c5020&quot;,&quot;locale&quot;:&quot;en-us&quot;,&quot;_trace&quot;:&quot;array_node;blog_global_fields;publish_details&quot;,&quot;_key&quot;:&quot;publish_details&quot;},&quot;_fetched&quot;:true,&quot;_content_type_uid&quot;:&quot;table_content&quot;,&quot;_trace&quot;:&quot;array_node;blog_global_fields&quot;,&quot;_key&quot;:&quot;key&quot;}" data-component-type="table_content" data-component-inline="false"></div>

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Read about Washington, D.C. transactions associate Eli Ringel, who participated in the <a href="/topics/activating-excellence-mofo-s-junior-associate-training-program" target="_self">2025 MoFo Activate program</a>, in this installment of our MoFo Stories series.In the modern era, it’s easy to phone things in with video calls, text messages, endless emails. Not at MoFo. MoFo Activate is built around “eyes up and laptops down, creating real connections from the start.” And they really mean it.On the first day of Activate, and my second day as a MoFo, I found myself in the same room as every first-year MoFo from across the East Coast: Austin, Boston, New York, and D.C., all meeting each other face-to-face. The energy in the room made it clear that MoFo invests in connections from day one.Months past graduation, as the memory of bar prep fades, it’s easy to imagine walking into your first day feeling completely lost. MoFo Activate made sure I wouldn’t. Partners and associates were ready and waiting to welcome us. Activate featured panels with experienced attorneys eager to answer every question. One even called itself “Ask Us Anything: Partner Edition.”Partners with decades of experience dedicated substantial time to us and, surprisingly, let us ask them anything—even on just our third day. That was, of course, after an informal rendezvous at the social hour the night prior. They shared pet peeves, personal stories of growth and achievement, and, naturally, reminded us why promptly billing our hours matters.As the room emptied and Activate ended, many of our questions had been answered. The only question that remained: What excitement lies ahead in our first year?The time, energy, and effort that MoFo dedicated to this program were unmistakable. All I could think was that, true to their motto, “Our Future is Yours,” our journey—and the firm’s future—starts now.

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Elias J. Ringel

Elias Ringel

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MoFo Puts Its Money Where Its Mouth Is: My First Days at Activate

Read about San Francisco litigation associate Will Martel, who participated in the <a href="/topics/activating-excellence-mofo-s-junior-associate-training-program" target="_self">2025 MoFo Activate program</a>, in this installment of our MoFo Stories series.I joined MoFo after completing a one-year clerkship immediately after law school. I was anxious to quickly find my footing, not only because a global firm was a significant adjustment from the intimate environment of my clerkship, but also because the colleagues with whom I was a summer associate were now rising second-year associates with a wealth of experience and knowledge. Although my clerkship was formative, I worried that I was a step behind. I sought a tangible understanding of the firm’s expectations—day-to-day and long-term—and the actionable steps to becoming a contributing member of the MoFo team.MoFo Activate was the remedy. The program combined detailed examinations of the firm’s operations with wide-ranging perspectives on the role and expectations of a first-year associate. In one session, the Chief Operating Officer walked us through the previously inscrutable mechanics of the business side of the firm; in another session, a panel of partners helped us strategize how to attack common challenges and opportunities.In addition to setting the stage for what to expect at the firm, MoFo Activate kickstarted our legal and professional development. Two workshops that targeted our presence and communication stood out as uniquely transformative. The sessions—one of which focused on speaking, the other on writing—both yielded a consequential new understanding of what it means to be a lawyer and a teammate at a global firm: although our network is large, the small-scale interactions have tremendous impact. The routine emails we send to colleagues, the contributions we make in team meetings, and the conversations we have in the hallways are central to our trajectory. MoFo’s investment in our professional skills underscored the importance of approaching each interaction with purpose.That perspective has guided my first several weeks at the firm, and it has catalyzed my approach to taking ownership over my career journey. I have tried to capture the sense of intention I experienced during MoFo Activate; each email, lunch event, elevator ride, and walk through the hall is an opportunity to build my connection with those around me and engage more meaningfully across the firm.

Will C. Martel

Will Martel

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Finding Your Footing: The First Steps into MoFo Life

Making the transition from law student to lawyer can be both exciting and challenging. To support new associates as they take this important step, Morrison Foerster’s Attorney Learning & Development Group created MoFo Activate. MoFo Activate kicks off with an in-person two-day intensive training experience designed to prepare associates to show up effectively and with excellence to assignments, to firm events, and to relationships with clients and colleagues.Activate equips first-year associates with the tools, insights, and connections they need to succeed. The program provides clear guidance and transparency about expectations to help participants build readiness for their first MoFo meetings and assignments. Through interactive workshops, partner-led panels, and hands-on learning sessions, new associates gain a strong foundation for their long-term professional development journeys.Participants learn the unwritten rules of law firm life, hear directly from firm leaders about strategic priorities, and connect deeply with peers and colleagues across the firm. Every session is designed to activate the excellence new associates bring with them while helping them understand how they fit into the firm’s bigger picture.Echoing MoFo’s values of excellence and collaboration, <a href="https://www.mofo.com/people/jennifer-marines">Jennifer Marines</a>, vice-chair, offered this guidance to new associates: “Work hard and take every opportunity that comes your way. Keep your mind open to new paths; some of the most fulfilling careers unfold in unexpected ways. And always approach your work and your colleagues with kindness and generosity, no matter their role or level.”Adding to that message of continuous learning, <a href="https://www.mofo.com/people/julie-park">Julie Park</a>, San Diego managing partner, encouraged associates to maintain a spirit of curiosity: “Be curious about everything. The law, the firm, your clients, your colleagues—there’s so much to take in. Curiosity will make you a better lawyer and a more interesting colleague. And right now is the perfect time to practice it. Everyone expects you to be learning, so lean into it; you’ll be amazed by how much you pick up.”Several associates have shared their Activate experiences, discussing topics such as building confidence, navigating the transition into practice, and connecting with colleagues. Read their MoFo stories:<ul><li>“<a href="/topics/finding-my-voice-learning-to-show-up-with-confidence-at-mofo" target="_blank">Finding My Voice: Learning to Show Up with Confidence at MoFo</a>” – Nicole Morgan, Los Angeles</li><li>“<a href="/topics/mofo-puts-its-money-where-its-mouth-is-my-first-days-at-activate" target="_self">MoFo Puts Its Money Where Its Mouth Is: My First Days at Activate</a>” – Eli Ringel, Washington, D.C.</li><li>“<a href="/topics/finding-your-footing-the-first-steps-into-mofo-life" target="_self">Finding Your Footing: The First Steps into MoFo Life</a>” – Will Martel, San Francisco</li></ul>To learn more about Activate and MoFo’s innovative approach to attorney learning and development, visit the <a href="https://careers.mofo.com/careers-training" target="_blank">Training + Mentoring website</a>.

Company Representations

Creditor Representations

Other Representations

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Vice Chair, Head of Business Restructuring + Insolvency

Jennifer Marines serves as global vice chair of Morrison Foerster, Head of the firm’s global Business Restructuring + Insolvency Group, a member of the Woman’s Strategy Committee, and a member of the Firm’s Finance and Benefits Committee.

Jennifer L. Marines

Jennifer Marines serves as global vice chair of Morrison Foerster, Head of the firm’s global Business Restructuring + Insolvency Group, a member of the Woman’s Strategy Committee, and a member of the Firm’s Finance and Benefits Committee. She has experience representing chapter 11 debtors, creditors, investors, and other parties in interest in all aspects of complex corporate restructurings, including chapter 11 cases, out-of-court restructurings, and distressed acquisitions. Jennifer served as a law clerk to the Honorable Robert D. Drain, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Southern District of New York.Jennifer has built a highly successful and peer-recognized practice in the restructuring and work-outs space, routinely representing companies and their boards in navigating complex distressed situations. Jennifer also has extensive experience advising official committees of creditors, negotiating and structuring financings and other commercial transactions, and representing clients seeking to purchase businesses and related assets out of chapter 11 proceedings. What is your favorite book? I have so many favorite books – reading is how I relax on my daily commute – but an all-time favorite, which I am rereading now, is the Secret History by Donna Tartt.What’s been the key to your success? The key to being successful is surrounding yourself with people who will support you, introduce you to new opportunities, and challenge you when you are not focused in the right direction. I have been fortunate to have several such people in my life, ranging from work colleagues who have mentored me from the time I was a summer associate to my three beautiful children, whose smiles at the end of the day make it all worthwhile.

Jennifer Marines

An orthopedic implant company

A children&rsquo;s monthly subscription service product

A fertility company

A major technology company

A smart fitness equipment company

Fitbit

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Chair of Complex Litigation + Advisement

Julie Park provides analytic and strategic counsel for issues in product life cycle, product liability and defective products, consumer class actions, and more.

Julie Y. Park

Julie Park protects her clients’ products no matter what kind of product issue they face—whether it is planning for new product development, recalling an existing product, or defending clients against product liability or consumer class actions. Drawing on her deep technical and legal expertise, Julie counsels clients on consumer product safety regulation and pharmaceutical and medical device preemption while also managing complex and multijurisdictional litigation both in state and federal court.

Julie Park

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Activating Excellence: MoFo’s Junior Associate Training Program

Read about Los Angeles associate Nicole Morgan, who participated in the <a href="/topics/activating-excellence-mofo-s-junior-associate-training-program" target="_self">2025 MoFo Activate program</a>, in this installment of our MoFo Stories series.During Activate, there was a moment that shifted something in me. Not in a dramatic, movie-scene way, but in a quiet and grounding way. I remember sitting in a breakout session, listening to my new colleagues speak honestly about their paths, their challenges, and the lessons that shaped them. No one was posturing. No one was trying to outshine anyone else. It felt like a space where being yourself was not only accepted but valued.That sense of belonging and openness stayed with me.The transition from law school to practice requires a different kind of awareness. In school, success often depends on getting the right answer. In practice, success comes from judgment, curiosity, and the ability to adapt in real time. You learn how to ask sharper questions. You learn how to read the room and understand where your voice fits. You learn that speaking up is not about proving what you know but about helping move the work forward.Activate helped me see that confidence is not something you suddenly have because you passed the bar or because someone hands you a badge on your first day. It comes from preparation, from staying engaged, and from approaching new challenges with intention. It shows up in the small moments, like volunteering to take first pass on an assignment, asking a clarifying question, or seeking feedback even when it feels vulnerable. These everyday choices strengthen your voice and sharpen your instincts.And the more I listened to the attorneys around me, the more I understood that everyone I admire once stood right where I am now. They had a first week. They had uncertainty. They had a learning curve. That realization created space for grace, patience, and growth.Belonging, to me, means being able to show up fully. It means walking into a meeting and trusting that my preparation and perspective matter. It means doing the work with care and remembering that learning is not a sign of weakness, but of investment. It is being part of a team where people support one another because that is simply how the culture operates here.As I begin this new chapter, I am committed to growing with intention. I am learning how to balance humility with boldness and how to use my voice in ways that support my team and serve our clients. I feel myself becoming more comfortable stepping forward, contributing, and taking ownership of my work.I am excited for what lies ahead. I am ready to keep building confidence through action, to learn from the remarkable people around me, and to show up with a presence that reflects both authenticity and excellence. Activate reminded me that the strongest way to begin is to show up as myself, and that is exactly how I plan to move forward.

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Nicole G. Morgan

Nicole Morgan

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Finding My Voice: Learning to Show Up with Confidence at MoFo

MoFo is dedicated to advancing access to justice through its pro bono efforts. In our Hong Kong office, lawyers and trainee solicitors play an active role in assisting migrant workers, immigrants, and asylum seekers, including individuals held in immigration detention. Honk Kong partners Tim Blakely and Marcia Ellis, and associate Ferdinand Loo, are among those leading this work.Most recently, Winnie Lam, Yilong Luo, Ziqi Qi, Liam Shao, and Laetitia Yuen joined <a href="https://forjusticewithoutborders.org/" target="_blank">Justice Without Borders</a> (JWB) and lawyers from several other international firms to deliver two training sessions as part of Amplify Academy. This program seeks to raise legal awareness and empowerment among migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong. Acting as lawyer facilitators, MoFo volunteers led interactive discussions and role-play exercises simulating real-life mediation and tribunal hearings concerning workplace abuse. They also participated in field work outreach with JWB personnel, equipping participants with practical knowledge and tools necessary to understand their rights and effectively prepare their own cases. Through our collaboration with JWB, MoFo Hong Kong has also committed to representing individual migrant workers in pursuing potential civil claims related to their migrant status, with Winnie and Yilong taking leading roles in these matters.Over the past several years, MoFo Hong Kong has developed a strong and evolving relationship with Justice Centre Hong Kong focused on supporting detained immigrants and those at risk of detention. The projects include helping Justice Centre:<ul><li>Establish Hong Kong’s first publicly accessible case law database on immigration detention, providing lawyers, NGOs, and researchers with the ability to better support asylum seekers, refugees, and survivors of torture in immigration detention.</li><li>Produce a Detention Self-Help Toolkit—drafted with input from members of the refugee community to improve its accessibility and usefulness—that provides clear, user-friendly guidance on legal rights, risks, and remedies for asylum seekers navigating immigration detention.</li><li>Train immigrant women as community paralegal advocates so they are equipped to assist other immigrants.</li><li>Visit immigrants in detention facilities—something the Justice Centre itself cannot do—to gather information supporting detainees’ cases and their release efforts.</li></ul>In addition to those already mentioned, Sylvia Cheng, Evan Huang, Bryan Lam, Kristen Lai, Julia Lee, Ziqi Qi, Stephanie So, Katrina Tsoi, Nicole Tsui, Laetitia Yuen, and Yiman Zhang have all contributed to MoFo’s collaboration with Justice Centre this year.Justice Centre recently nominated our partnership for an award, describing it as “a powerful example of sustained, strategic collaboration . . . [that] can drive meaningful, long-term impact.”<a href="https://www.mofo.com/culture/pro-bono" target="_blank">Learn more</a> about MoFo’s pro bono efforts.