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

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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 diverse talent 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 interrupt unconscious bias and 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

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 currently serves on the board of directors of Centro Legal de la Raza, a nonprofit based in Oakland.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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Pro Bono Counsel

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

Dorothy L. 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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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 P. 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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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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MoFo Wins Asylum for Cameroonian Political Refugee

MoFo Sponsors the 2024 NAPABA Convention

Navigating Justice and Disability: A Conversation with Judge David Tatel

The MoFo Foundation Supports Pro Bono Partners

MoFo Sponsors the Black Counsel Forum 2024

February is Black History Month and MoFo is proud to celebrate and honor the many contributions made by members of our Black communities throughout history, while also acknowledging and raising awareness about the deeply inequitable treatment of Black people in the United States. This year’s national theme is Black Resistance in honor of the strides we have made as a society toward greater equality and equity as a result of Black people and their unwavering commitment to resisting oppression in all its forms. Read about the history of <a href="https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month" target="_blank">Black History Month</a>.In addition to office programming, we are thrilled to welcome Bruce Jackson, Associate General Counsel at Microsoft and author of Never Far from Home, on Friday, February 17, 2023. In a virtual fireside chat, Bruce will share his experiences as a champion for diversity in law.Throughout the month, we will share reflections from our Black attorneys in their own words. Quotes and pre-recorded videos will be published across MoFo’s various social media accounts and on the MoFo+ Blog.In honor of Black History Month this year, the MoFo Foundation is donating to a variety of nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting black communities including:<ul><li>$10,000 to the <a href="https://www.naacpldf.org/" target="_blank">Legal Defense Fund</a></li><li>$5,000 (<a href="https://beam.community/" target="_blank">BEAM</a>) (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective)</li><li>$5,000 <a href="https://blackmamasmatter.org/" target="_blank">Black Mamas Matter Alliance</a></li></ul><a href="https://www.mofo.com/culture/diversity" target="_blank">Learn more</a> about MoFo’s commitment to inclusion and diversity.

Celebrating Black History Month

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Celebrating Black History Month

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February is Black History Month and MoFo is proud to celebrate and honor the many contributions made by members of our Black communities throughout history,

As we reach the end of National Mentoring Month, we highlight the fifth and final program of <a href="https://www.mofo.com/mofo-navigate" target="_blank">MoFo Navigate</a>: the New Diverse and Women Partner Liaison Program.Our future as a firm depends on the investment we make today in developing the next generation of diverse and women leaders. Even after attorneys are promoted or hired into the partnership, the firm takes an active approach to supporting their successful integration, growth, and development. Each new diverse and/or woman partner is assigned a diversity/women’s partner liaison. This relationship is designed to support new partners as they navigate their first year in the partnership.To learn more about the New Diverse and Women Partner Liaison Program, watch the below video featuring MoFo partner Paul Navarro as he discusses the impact of mentorship on his career. We hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about the programs under MoFo Navigate, as well as hearing firsthand about the mentoring and sponsorship experiences of some of our MoFo lawyers. Read more about MoFo's celebration of National Mentoring Month and the programs offered through MoFo Navigate:<ul><li><a href="https://together.mofo.com/topics/celebrating-national-mentoring-month" target="_blank">"Celebrating National Mentoring Month"</a></li><li><a href="https://together.mofo.com/topics/national-mentoring-month-spotlight-on-associate-liaison-and-pathway-mentoring-programs" target="_blank">"National Mentoring Month: Spotlight on Associate Liaison and Pathway Mentoring Programs"</a></li><li><a href="https://together.mofo.com/topics/national-mentoring-month-2023-spotlight-on-affinity-mentoring-programs" target="_blank">"National Mentoring Month: Spotlight on Affinity Mentoring Programs"</a></li><li><a href="https://together.mofo.com/topics/national-mentoring-month-promoting-a-culture-of-sponsorship-at-mofo" target="_blank">"National Mentoring Month: Promoting a Culture of Sponsorship at MoFo"</a></li></ul><iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/aMAISYMi-EA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" title="National Mentoring Month: Spotlight on New Diverse and Women Partner Liaison Programo" title="iframe"></iframe>

National Mentoring Month: Spotlight on New Diverse and Women Partner Liaison Program

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National Mentoring Month: Spotlight on New Diverse and Women Partner Liaison Program

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As we reach the end of National Mentoring Month, we highlight the fifth and final program of MoFo Navigate: the New Diverse and Women Partner Liaison Program.

During the fourth week of National Mentoring Month, we will focus on MoFo’s sponsorship efforts. Sponsorship is the step beyond mentorship, occurring when a partner takes on the responsibility of promoting the career advancement of a high-performing associate (i.e., their protégé) at the firm. Sponsors leverage their own influence, power, relationships, and reputation to support the advancement of their protégé.Each year, the chair of the firm, department heads, and the chief diversity and inclusion officer kick off <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Y8tTSb5mp74">MoFo Navigate’s Sponsorship Initiative</a>. The initiative is designed to support and expand upon the firm’s culture of active sponsorship, paying particular attention to diverse and women talent.In addition, the co-chairs of the Diversity and Women’s Strategy Committees follow up with each practice group head to provide additional resources on how to be a more effective sponsor and in support of diverse and women talent.We invite you to watch the below video featuring MoFo partner Christin Hill as she discusses the importance of sponsorship. Stay tuned for additional insights and stories which will be featured on our MoFo+ Blog and in our social media posts.Read more about MoFo's celebration of National Mentoring Month and the programs offered through MoFo Navigate:<ul><li><a href="/topics/celebrating-national-mentoring-month" target="_self">"Celebrating National Mentoring Month"</a></li><li><a href="/topics/national-mentoring-month-spotlight-on-associate-liaison-and-pathway-mentoring-programs" target="_self">"National Mentoring Month: Spotlight on Associate Liaison and Pathway Mentoring Programs"</a></li><li><a href="/topics/national-mentoring-month-2023-spotlight-on-affinity-mentoring-programs" target="_self">"National Mentoring Month: Spotlight on Affinity Mentoring Programs"</a></li></ul><iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/yf3Vic925T8" title="MoFo Navigate Turns One: The Importance of Sponsorship" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="1" title="iframe"></iframe>

National Mentoring Month: Promoting a Culture of Sponsorship at MoFo

During the fourth week of National Mentoring Month, we will focus on MoFo’s sponsorship efforts. Sponsorship is the step beyond mentorship, occurring when a partner takes on the responsibility of promoting the career advancement of a high-performing associate (i.e., their protégé) at the firm. Sponsors leverage their own influence, power, relationships, and reputation to support the advancement of their protégé.

National Mentoring Month: Promoting a Culture of Sponsorship at MoFo

Investing in the next generation of diverse leaders is a key priority at MoFo. This week, during National Mentoring Month, we spotlight MoFo Navigate’s Affinity Mentoring Programs: the Diversity Mentoring Program and the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Mentoring Program.Diversity Mentoring ProgramBased on associate feedback, the Diversity Mentoring Program (DMP) was designed to support our Black and Latinx associates, who are among the most underrepresented groups in the legal profession. This long-term, formal mentoring relationship picks up where the Pathway Mentoring Program leaves off. A DMP partner mentor helps to:<ul><li>Identify resources and opportunities for growth and development</li><li>Ensure their associate has a challenging mix of work</li><li>Assist their associate in navigating the firm more effectively, including any practice-related issues they may experience</li><li>Provide feedback on work product and development plans</li></ul>This relationship is designed to support an associate’s growth and development through partnership, or for as long as they stay at the firm, if they have other goals. This relationship is supported by trainings for both mentors and mentees on maximizing the mentoring relationship and effectively mentoring across difference.APPI Mentoring ProgramIn collaboration with our partners in the AAPI Affinity Network, the D+I Group launched the AAPI Mentoring Program in September 2022. The year-long mentoring program is designed to meet the unique needs of our AAPI attorneys. The program features:<ul><li>Mentoring pods of six to ten attorneys</li><li>A bimonthly meeting schedule</li><li>A curriculum of suggested meeting topics and activities</li><li>Professional development programs on enhancing the mentoring relationship</li></ul>Approximately 80 attorneys, including partners, of counsel, and associates, from across our domestic offices are participating in the inaugural program. The small group format provides opportunities for traditional, peer, and reverse mentoring to occur.To learn more, watch the below video featuring MoFo associate Camille Framroze as she discusses her experience in the AAPI Mentoring Program. Stay tuned for additional insights and stories which will be featured on our MoFo+ Blog and in our social media posts.Read more about <a href="https://together.mofo.com/topics/celebrating-national-mentoring-month" target="_blank">MoFo's celebration of National Mentoring Month</a>, and see this <a href="https://together.mofo.com/topics/national-mentoring-month-spotlight-on-associate-liaison-and-pathway-mentoring-programs" target="_blank">blog post</a> to learn about MoFo Navigate’s Associate Liaison and Pathway Mentoring Programs.<iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed//TAU96EIvFMA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" title="AAPI Mentoring Program" title="iframe"></iframe>

National Mentoring Month 2023: Spotlight on Affinity Mentoring Programs

National Mentoring Month 2023: Spotlight on Affinity Mentoring Programs

Investing in the next generation of diverse leaders is a key priority at MoFo. This week, during National Mentoring Month, we spotlight MoFo Navigate’s Affinity Mentoring Programs: the Diversity Mentoring Program and the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Mentoring Program.

We continue our celebration of National Mentoring Month with a spotlight on <a href="https://www.mofo.com/mofo-navigate">MoFo Navigate’s</a> Associate Liaison and Pathway Mentoring Programs.Associate Liaison ProgramAs attorneys begin their careers at MoFo, it’s important that they find the right kind of support and mentorship. Through the Associate Liaison Program, each new associate is assigned a peer liaison to support their integration.Associate Liaisons provide invaluable support as they:<ul><li>Welcome new associates to the firm and help them understand the firm’s <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jXUPt2jL3g" target="_blank">core values</a></li><li>Answer general questions about the firm, such as office space, processes and procedures, and tools and resources</li><li>Broaden their new associate’s internal network by introducing them to attorneys from across the firm</li><li>Help identify their new associate’s Pathway Mentor</li></ul>Pathway Mentoring ProgramThe Pathway Mentoring Program (formerly the Odyssey Mentoring Program) pairs new associates with a partner mentor to support their continued growth and development. An associate’s partner mentor is often in their department or practice group and is selected with input from their associate liaison. This relationship is designed to help new associates integrate into the firm, whether they joined the firm as a first-year or lateral associate.A Pathway Mentor’s responsibilities include:<ul><li>Providing informal training and feedback</li><li>Introducing their mentee to other attorneys across the firm</li><li>Advising on practical things like how to balance workload, establish development goals, and navigate firm/office culture</li><li>Helping their mentee prepare for the firm’s annual evaluation process</li></ul>To learn more about these programs, watch the below videos featuring MoFo associates Manny Perez and Rebecca Tesfaye as they discuss their experiences in the Associate Liaison and Pathway Mentoring Programs.<a href="https://together.mofo.com/topics/celebrating-national-mentoring-month">Read more</a> about MoFo's celebration of National Mentoring Month, and stay tuned for additional insights and stories which will be featured on our MoFo+ Blog and in our social media posts.<iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/4iNNBnVBXkY?rel=0" title="Video: MoFo Navigate Turns One - Associate Liason Program" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="1" title="iframe"></iframe><iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/ifCPToyS4CY?rel=0" title="Video: MoFo Navigate Turns One - Pathway Mentoring Program" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="1" title="iframe"></iframe>

National Mentoring Month: Spotlight on Associate Liaison and Pathway Mentoring Programs

National Mentoring Month: Spotlight on Associate Liaison and Pathway Mentoring Programs

We continue our celebration of National Mentoring Month with a spotlight on MoFo Navigate’s Associate Liaison and Pathway Mentoring Programs.

January is National Mentoring Month. At MoFo, we understand that effective mentorship is critical to each attorney’s success. That is why we are thrilled to celebrate and recognize the one-year anniversary of <a href="https://www.mofo.com/mofo-navigate">MoFo Navigate</a>.MoFo Navigate is a global initiative which unifies the firm’s mentoring and sponsorship programs. It is through MoFo Navigate that we take a holistic approach to professional growth and strive to provide attorneys with the right kind of support and guidance at the right points in their careers.MoFo Navigate is also uniquely and specifically designed to promote greater equity and inclusion. It is overseen by the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion (D+I) Group and trains both mentors and mentees on some of the common root causes of attrition and how to mentor more effectively across differences.The five MoFo Navigate programs include:<ul><li>Welcome: Associate Liaison Program (Orientation to 6 months) ‒ Associate liaisons welcome new associates into the firm with regular and informal check-ins to make sure they are being introduced to attorneys and learning what it means to be part of the MoFo community.</li></ul><ul><li>Integrate: Pathway Mentoring Program (6 to 24 months) – New associates are assigned Pathway mentors. As the associates become more comfortable with their mentors, their associate liaisons will gradually step back, allowing the formal mentorship relationship to take shape.</li></ul><ul><li>Develop: Affinity Mentoring Programs (Year 2+) – We offer mentoring programs for our Black, Latinx, and AAPI associates, who are among the most underrepresented demographics in the legal profession. These cross-office mentoring programs help support the unique growth, integration, and development of our minority attorneys.</li></ul><ul><li>Advance: Sponsorship Initiative (5th year and above) ‒ The Sponsorship Initiative is designed to support and expand upon the firm’s culture of sponsorship, paying particular attention to diverse and women talent.</li></ul><ul><li>Support: New Diverse and Women Partner Liaison Program (1st year in the partnership) ‒ Even after attorneys are promoted or hired into the partnership, the firm takes an active approach to supporting their successful integration, growth, and development. Each new diverse and/or woman partner is assigned a partner liaison from the Diversity or Women’s Strategy Committee.</li></ul>Beginning with the below kick-off message from our Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Natalie Kernisant, we will be sharing content throughout the month to delve deeper into each of the programs under MoFo Navigate. Stay tuned for additional insights and stories which will be featured on our MoFo+ Blog and in our social media posts.<iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/UYpBETfQdMY?rel=0" title="iframe"></iframe>

Celebrating National Mentoring Month

Celebrating National Mentoring Month

January is National Mentoring Month. At MoFo, we understand that effective mentorship is critical to each attorney’s success. That is why we are thrilled to celebrate and recognize the one-year anniversary of MoFo Navigate.

As World Cup matches ignite the dreams of our country’s legion of young soccer players, we proudly share this news of player Noriana Radwan’s successful appeal of the dismissal of her case claiming sex discrimination by the University of Connecticut athletic department. Radwan's case highlights how sex discrimination continues to limit girls and women from achieving their full potential as athletes, but also illuminates the value of fighting back to vindicate female players’ right to equal treatment on and off the playing field. While the match is not yet final, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, citing an amicus brief filed by Morrison Foerster, recently overturned the lower court's decision and ruled that she can present her Title IX case to a jury. This is an important ruling for women athletes, whose performance is still too often judged by discriminatory standards.Radwan was an outstanding high school soccer player who was recruited by numerous Division I colleges offering full scholarships. She chose UConn and played on its women’s soccer team beginning in fall 2014. Just three months into the school year, however, Radwan’s dreams of a soccer career were crushed. She was thrown off her team, lost her full athletic scholarship, and had to leave UConn, all because she briefly raised her middle finger to a TV camera while celebrating a championship win with her teammates.Despite presenting evidence that UConn had issued minor or no disciplinary penalties to multiple male athletes who committed similar or more serious acts, the district court ruled that no jury could find the draconian discipline imposed on Radwan to be sex discrimination. In dismissing Radwan’s case, the district court had concluded that Radwan could not compare the discipline she received for unsportsmanlike conduct to the discipline given various male athletes for more serious conduct because the disciplinary decisions did not involve the same coaches.The Court of Appeals rejected this argument, citing the amicus brief that MoFo filed on behalf of several women’s rights organizations. Quoting our brief directly, the Court of Appeals found that most college teams are single sex, and men’s and women’s sports usually do not share coaches; as a result, “a same-supervisor requirement would strip Title IX protections from the vast majority of student-athletes.”Moreover, the Court of Appeals pointed out that the same Athletic Director (AD) who decided to end Radwan’s scholarship was fully aware of the misconduct committed by various male players and the nominal discipline they received. As the Court wrote, “Of the particular incidents contained in the record involving male student-athletes at UConn, no penalty for misconduct comes close to the severity of the one imposed upon Radwan. In fact, it is undisputed that, during [AD’s] tenure at UConn from March 2012 to March 2016, no male student-athlete was ever permanently removed from his team, or had his scholarship terminated, for a first instance of unsportsmanlike conduct.”MoFo litigation department co-chair Christine Wong led the team that represented amici Legal Momentum, the National Organization for Women Foundation, the Feminist Majority Foundation, and the Clearinghouse on Women’s Issues in the case. Associates Rachel Dolphin and Lily Smith and former associate Randy Zack contributed to the brief.To hear Radwan’s story in her own words, see her <a href="https://www.aclu.org/news/womens-rights/a-middle-finger-cost-me-my-livelihood-as-a-woman-athlete" target="_blank">guest blog and video</a> on the American Civil Liberties Union website.See the <a href="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/assets/blt5775cc69c999c255/blt527640d26da848ff/639b5a5d66a2107d45b988f9/221130-radwan-decision.pdf" target="_blank">Second Circuit’s opinion in Radwan v. Manuel</a>v. Manuel, No. 20-2194 (decided Nov. 30, 2022).

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Partner

Christine Wong, Global Co-Chair of Morrison & Foerster’s Litigation Department, focuses her practice on investigations, white collar criminal defense, and cross-border compliance matters

Christine Y. Wong

Christine Wong, co-chair of Morrison Foerster’s Securities Litigation, Enforcement, and White Collar Defense Group, focuses her practice on investigations, white collar criminal defense, and cross-border compliance matters.

Christine Wong

The Regents of the University of California v. California Berry Cultivars, L.L.C.

Arch Development Corp. v. Genentech, Inc.

Whirlpool Corp. v. TST Water LLC

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Associate

Rachel Dolphin is an associate in the Litigation Department. Her practice focuses on intellectual property litigation and general commercial litigation.
Rachel’s intellectual property practice concent

Rachel Dolphin

Rachel S. Dolphin

MoFo Gives an Assist to Soccer Player Fighting Sex Discrimination

As World Cup matches ignite the dreams of our country’s legion of young soccer players, we proudly share this news of player Noriana Radwan’s successful appeal of the dismissal of her case claiming sex discrimination by the University of Connecticut athletic department.

MoFo Gives an Assist to Soccer Player Fighting Sex Discrimination

The first year of practice is an important milestone in any lawyer’s career. To support our associates, MoFo has developed MoFoundations—a tailored learning and development path designed specifically for first-year associates. MoFo’s Excellence in Practice (EIP), part of MoFoundations’ curriculum, took place October 26-28, 2022, in Washington, D.C.Over 100 participants and 23 presenters—mainly comprised of MoFo partners and business professionals—attended the three-day program. Developed by MoFo’s Attorney Learning & Development team, the program fosters legal development and presents fundamental concepts that are essential for day-to-day success.“Excellence in Practice is the jumping off point for first-year associates to begin developing the foundational skills they need to succeed in their first year of practice,” explains Christie Mizer, MoFo’s Associate Director of Attorney Coaching & Career Development. “EIP accomplished two primary goals. First, because most of these associates participated in a virtual Summer Associate Program, it was an opportunity for them to meet, connect with, and/or deepen relationships with their peers from around the globe. Second, associates participated in programming that introduced them to the professional skills considered critical to their success as a first-year associate at MoFo, including creating workday routines, project management, and unconscious bias, pro bono, and SMART goals.”   According to feedback, participants enjoyed the variety of topics covered during the program and the opportunity to connect with their peers and new colleagues.“I appreciated the blend of practical advice and general career development advice—such that we got guidance on how to succeed both at MoFo specifically and in our careers more generally,” says Washington, D.C. participant Michaela Thornton.Aside from building professional and practical skills, the program provided associates with a clearer understanding of what to expect during their first year of practice. “Thursday’s sessions really got me excited to be an associate,” proclaims Los Angeles participant C.B. Rome. “I also felt less nervous about starting billable work after hearing from other associates.”Attendees also appreciated MoFo’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. “The unconscious bias training was outstanding,” according to San Diego participant Will Baker. “I felt a real connection and comfort with my colleagues because of this training.”A core value at MoFo is that, by collaborating across departments and regions, we succeed as one firm. With this value in mind, associates concluded the program with insights into how to start strong in their careers as attorneys with accountability and support. As Washington, D.C. participant Richelle Gernan states, “What stood out the most about the Excellence in Practice sessions was the intentionality around building genuine and strong connections with one another.”To learn more about the Excellence in Practice program and the broader MoFoundations Curriculum, please contact <a href="mailto:cmizer@mofo.com">Christie Mizer</a>, Associate Director of Attorney Coaching & Career Development.<div data-reactroot=""><img src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blt1b5a13971071f719/6398d6d07c26334c009190f3/Excellence_in_Practice_PSP-175_(1).jpg?format=auto&amp;quality=60" alt="Excellence in Practice Program Helps Associates Build a Strong Legal Foundation"/></div>

Excellence in Practice Program Helps Associates Build a Strong Legal Foundation

The first year of practice is an important milestone in any lawyer’s career. To support our associates, MoFo has developed MoFoundations—a tailored learning and development path designed specifically for first-year associates. MoFo’s Excellence in Practice (EIP), part of MoFoundations’ curriculum, took place October 26-28, 2022, in Washington, D.C.

Excellence in Practice Program Helps Associates Build a Strong Legal Foundation

Human Rights First presented Morrison Foerster with the 2022 Marvin E. Frankel Award at the organization’s recent Manhattan gala, recognizing the firm for its outstanding pro bono service to Afghan asylum seekers.MoFo was recognized for its contributions to Project: Afghan Legal Assistance (PALA). PALA was begun by Human Rights First to assist the thousands of Afghan refugees who were brought to the United States following our country’s abrupt withdrawal from Afghanistan last summer. When Human Rights First asked for help responding to the deluge of calls it received from Afghans seeking legal representation, MoFo pro bono counsel Dorothy Fernandez sprang into action. She recruited and organized more than 150 MoFo lawyers and staff to conduct initial screening interviews of Afghan refugees who had contacted Human Rights First, to determine the refugees’ eligibility for immigration relief. MoFo completed some 330 of these interviews, and in ten cases, our lawyers – motivated by the stories they heard – asked to represent these clients for the entire asylum process. Dorothy also organized a second project, filing applications for “green cards” – permanent residence – for the families of 30 Afghans who had received Special Immigrant Visas because of their work for U.S. forces.In choosing MoFo to receive this honor, Jenna Gilbert, Director of Refugee Representation for Human Rights First, said, “Out of all our law firm partners, Morrison & Foerster LLP (MoFo), has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to pro bono work on behalf of Afghan refugees.”MoFo corporate partner Timothy Harris, who serves as managing partner of the firm’s Palo Alto office, accepted the award on behalf of the firm. Tim earned his own recognition from Human Rights First earlier this year, when the organization named him a Pro Bono Star for his extraordinary representation of, and assistance to, an Afghan family seeking asylum. Expressing his appreciation for this recognition, Tim noted: “MoFo is honored to support the mission of Human Rights First and its dedication to defend human rights for all. This award underscores our ongoing commitment to making a difference through pro bono service and highlights MoFo’s collaborative efforts to make a real difference in the lives of Afghan asylum seekers.”The Marvin E. Frankel Award honors law firms who carry out its namesake’s dedication to human rights and pro bono service. Marvin E. Frankel, in addition to his career as a federal judge, was a founder of Human Rights First and former chairman of its Board of Directors. Visit <a href="https://humanrightsfirst.org/" target="_blank">Human Rights First</a> to learn more.<div class="embedded-entry redactor-component block-entry" type="entry" data-sys-entry-uid="blt84b0defcc4038487" data-sys-entry-locale="en-us" data-sys-content-type-uid="image_content" sys-style-type="block"><div data-reactroot=""><img src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/bltc48e6436ff4ba8d4/63757af13688e51128bd4c94/human-rights-first-honors-mofo.jpg?format=auto&amp;quality=60" alt="Harris accepts award"></div></div>MoFo corporate partner and managing partner of the firm’s Palo Alto office Timothy Harris, accepts the 2022 Marvin E. Frankel Award on behalf of the firm.

Human Rights First Honors MoFo for Outstanding Pro Bono Asylum Work

Fever Labs, Inc. 

Serena & Lily, Inc. 

DeepIntent, Inc.

Onc.ai, Inc.

Blackbird Ventures

SoftBank Group and SoftBank Vision Fund

Atheer, Inc.

Zoox, Inc.

Aeva, Inc. (NYSE:  AEVA)

DBL Partners

Aventine Property Group, Inc.

Reflexion Medical, Inc. 

Gemini Frontier Fund 

Winklevoss Capital Fund 

GGV Capital 

Heila Technologies, Inc. 

PDF Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:  PDFS)

Artivest, Inc.

Treasure Data, Inc.

Sutter Hill Ventures

Trinity Ventures

Split Rock Partners, Orbimed Advisors and Prospect Venture Partners

Sequoia Capital

Khosla Ventures

Mitsui & Co. Global Investment, Inc.

Everi Holdings (formerly known as Global Cash Access) (NYSE: EVRI) 

FortuNet, Inc. (formerly Nasdaq: FNET) 

SHFL entertainment (formerly Nasdaq: SHFL)

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Tim is the Managing Partner of the Palo Alto Office and a partner in the Emerging Companies and Venture Capital Group. He specializes in representing startup companies and venture capital investors in corporate and securities matters.

Tim represents startup companies and investors in corporate and securities matters. In his company-side practice, he advises emerging growth companies from formation through acquisition or initial pub

Timothy Harris

Timothy J. Harris

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 b

Dorothy Fernandez

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 an