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 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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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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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

MoFo Wins Asylum for Cameroonian Political Refugee

As this year’s National Celebration of Pro Bono kicks off, we have much to be proud of here at Morrison & Foerster. In honor of Pro Bono Week 2019, we are thrilled to unveil the latest edition of MoProBono. In our newsletter, you will have a chance to learn more about how our lawyers are making a positive impact on our world through pro bono, including:<ul><li>How lawyers in our Washington, D.C. office won a  groundbreaking federal court ruling prohibiting the state of Georgia from using an all-electronic voting system with no independent paper record because it likely violates the constitutional right to vote in today’s environment of sophisticated election interference.</li><li>How a London team is working  with the charity Z2K (Zacchaeus 2000 Trust), to help clients with mental and physical disabilities navigate a broken social security and welfare benefits system so they can gain access to life-changing benefits.</li><li>The significant lifelong achievements of two of our veteran trial lawyers, Jim Brosnahan and Arturo González, whom the American Bar Association honored with prestigious awards for their immeasurable contributions to public service, the legal profession, and the community at large.</li></ul>Download <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/assets/blt5775cc69c999c255/blteed0caa2019b3f85/62730d76deee7329767e739c/191018-moprobono-fall-2019.pdf">a copy of our newsletter</a> to learn more about these and many more inspiring pro bono matters that MoFo lawyers haven taken on this year.

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MoFo Celebrates Pro Bono Week 2019

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As this year’s National Celebration of Pro Bono kicks off, we have much to be proud of here at Morrison & Foerster. In honor of Pro Bono Week 2019, we are thril

MoFo Celebrates Pro Bono Week 2019

In this edition of Matters That Matter, we honor the many lawyers who have dedicated their time to important pro bono causes. This month, we highlight a variety of worthy projects, such as supporting Latinx filmmakers, ensuring the sport of football is accessible to all, and helping to put an end to sexual violence in schools. These are just a few examples of the many ways our lawyers are living out our proud pro bono tradition every day.Improving Living Conditions for Displaced Individuals New York litigation partner Amanda Aikman, with assistance from London associate Harriet Sassoon and trainee solicitor Ziqi Qi, are helping <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://everyshelter.org/about/">Every Shelter, Inc.</a> with developing a statement of supply-chain principles and expectations for suppliers. The nonprofit is dedicated to creating and developing low-cost, high-impact products geared toward improving the lives of refugees living in shelters.The statement will cover slavery, human trafficking, child labor, safe working conditions, and possibly environmental practices. Amanda will also draft a simple template clause for Every Shelter to include in its supplier contracts that will ensure compliance with the statement.Ensuring the Power of Football Is Accessible to All London attorneys <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/annabel-gillham.html">Annabel Gillham</a> and <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/oliver-spratt.html">Oliver Spratt</a> are partnering with the <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.cafefootball.eu/">Centre for Access to Football in Europe</a> (CAFE) to review and amend a template service agreement and consultancy agreement, and draft an employee privacy notice for CAFE in the UK. CAFE uses the unique power of football (“soccer” in the U.S.) to ensure people with disabilities are able to take their rightful place in the game and the wider society.Working with the Union of European Football Associations, FIFA, football associations, clubs, and fans, CAFE provides training using audio-descriptive commentary, supports the creation and development of disabled supporter groups, collaborates with other NGOs in the sector, and performs research on advancing access and inclusion for people with disabilities.Putting an End to Sexual Violence in Schools The firm is participating in the launch of Equal Rights Advocates’ Pro Bono Attorney Network to <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.equalrights.org/issue/equality-in-schools-universities/ending-sexual-violence-in-education-esve/">End Sexual Violence in Education</a>. The initiative will help students who have been victims of sexual assault, attempted assault, or harassment find support and seek justice before it threatens to disrupt their education.San Francisco litigation associates <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/shaelyn-dawson.html">Shaelyn Dawson</a> and <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/camila-tapernoux.html">Camila Tapernoux</a>, as well as Northern Virginia litigation of counsel Sue Borschel will participate in the network on a trial basis, with San Francisco partner <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/claudia-vetesi.html">Claudia Vetesi</a> supervising. As advocates in the ENOUGH Pro Bono Network, the lawyers will advise student survivors on their rights, help them understand their school’s Title IX protections, and weigh their legal options based on how students would like to move forward.Seeking Reproductive Justice in the Sixth Circuit Litigation senior of counsel Roxann Henry and San Diego litigation associate <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/alexandra-preece.html">Alexandra Preece</a> represented the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine as an amicus before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, opposing a Kentucky law that, if it takes effect, will effectively ban abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy.Representing this specialized medical society, our attorneys explained to the court that the law’s requirement for a physician to induce fetal demise before performing such an abortion is not only clinically unnecessary, but would potentially endanger women seeking abortion while also depriving women who are attempting to complete high-risk pregnancies of the specialty care they require.Creating More STEM Education Opportunities Northern Virginia managing partner Charles Katz is assisting the Kitsi Foundation in setting up a nonprofit organization and obtaining 501(c )(3) tax exempt status. The Kitsi Foundation, which is in the very beginning of its funding stage, is dedicated to advancing STEM education and improving STEM opportunities for children globally. Washington, D.C. tax of counsel <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/linda-arnsbarger.html">Linda Arnsbarger</a> will assist with the tax portion.Supporting Up-and-Coming Latinx Filmmakers New York attorneys Tracy Bacigalupo and Elnaz Zarrini are helping <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.latinofilmmarket.org/">The Latino Film Market</a> in drafting a collaboration agreement that they can use with the filmmakers they work with. The Latino Film Market is an organization dedicated to showcasing and promoting Latinx content and upcoming filmmakers.They provide a space for eager Latinx filmmakers to learn and grow their craft and offer workshops, lectures, and panels in addition to networking opportunities. The agreement will include clauses on distribution of profits and permission to showcase short films to distributors, ensuring they are adequately protected and in compliance with relevant laws.xxxMatters That Matter looks at some of the most significant recently opened matters and developments in our global pro bono efforts, from staffing legal clinics and advising nonprofits on their legal needs to advocating for individuals who would otherwise be denied equal access to justice. For more examples of MoFo’s global pro bono efforts, visit our website.

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Matters That Matter: September Pro Bono Roundup

Matters That Matter: September Pro Bono Roundup

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In this edition of Matters That Matter, we honor the many lawyers who have dedicated their time to important pro bono causes. This month, we highlight a variety

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MoForever Network Hosts Northern California Alumni Reunion

On Wednesday, September 11, 2019, the MoForever Alumni Network hosted the MoFo Northern California Alumni Reunion, a special evening for reconnecting with frien

MoForever Network Hosts Northern California Alumni Reunion

Celebrating sports is a time-honored tradition at Morrison & Foerster (MoFo). So when <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/louise-stoupe.html">Louise Stoupe</a>, head of the firm’s Tokyo Litigation Department and co-chair of the firm’s Commercial Litigation & Trial Practice Group, presented the firm with the opportunity to become a major sponsor of the Samoa national rugby team (Manu Samoa) for the 2019 season, MoFo jumped at the chance.The sponsorship agreement, which was signed in March 2019, extended support to the team via pre-camps and provided overall assistance to the team during the regular season. For Louise, who has close ties to the region, the partnership is particularly meaningful because this year’s World Cup games will be held in Japan:“We’re grateful for the opportunity to do our part in supporting the development of Samoan rugby in the lead-up to the Rugby World Cup. We strongly believe in the abilities of Manu Samoa and cannot wait to see the team in action.”Sponsorships like these also help level the playing field for Samoa against some of its fiercest, most high-profile competitors on the global stage.In addition to cheering on Manu Samoa throughout the season, MoFo’s Japan office hosted a welcome reception for the players at the Palace Hotel Tokyo on September 10, 2019. Members of the office wished the players good luck for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, which takes place September 20 – November 2, 2019.Visit the Samoa Rugby Union <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="http://www.manusamoa.com/">website</a> to learn more about Manu Samoa and the program.

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MoFo Proudly Supports Manu Samoa National Team for 2019 Rugby Season

MoFo Proudly Supports Manu Samoa National Team for 2019 Rugby Season

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Celebrating sports is a time-honored tradition at Morrison & Foerster (MoFo). So when Louise Stoupe, head of the firm’s Tokyo Litigation Department and co-chair

MoFo’s <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/offices/washington-dc.html">Washington, D.C.</a> office turned 40 this year. In honor of this milestone, they planned two days of service to give back to the D.C. community that has done so much for the firm. On August 27 and 28, 2019, 36 MoFo lawyers and staff volunteered at <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://foodandfriends.org/">Food & Friends</a>, a local organization that prepares and delivers nutritional meals to members of the community facing critical illnesses.The service project also featured a food drive that yielded over 1,500 food items. Fueled by a little friendly office competition, co-chair of the firm’s Appellate & Supreme Court practice <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/deanne-maynard.html">Deanne Maynard</a> led team K–Z to victory collecting the most donations. As part of a wager between team A–J and K–Z, the losing captain would have to eat five Triple Atomic Hot Wings during the winning team’s celebratory party, a challenge that team A-J’s captain and co-chair of MoFo’s Investigations & White Collar Defense Group <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/charles-duross.html">Chuck Duross</a> is actually looking forward to.MoFo Chair Larren Nashelsky addressed the D.C. office volunteers at a reception following the service days, stating “While I offer my congratulations to team K-Z, … all of your donations will go toward improving the lives of deserving members of your community, and I thank you for your efforts.” He also acknowledged the D.C. office’s ongoing commitment to community service and pro bono work, noting the D.C.-based pro bono team’s representation of Georgia voters in challenging the state’s unsecure and unreliable voting system ­— a matter that was recognized on National Law Journal’s Pro Bono Hot List.The D.C. office has a long history of giving its time to great charity efforts, such as Everybody Wins!, volunteering as reading mentors in local schools, organizing school supply and food drives, and collecting toys during the office’s holiday toy drive.<img sizes="(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px" height="514" width="685" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blt5c0f2c00b839480f/6287fe000457495358474df1/picture4.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" class="aligncenter wp-image-4066" loading="lazy" type="asset" sys-style-type="download">(L to R) Elizabeth Replogle, Christie Mizer, Rachael Plymale, and Bridget Rice get to preppin’<img sizes="(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px" height="514" width="685" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/bltf02661e1abd8d4f7/6287fe00b4fa6b61ed70b453/picture5.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" class="aligncenter wp-image-4069" loading="lazy" type="asset" sys-style-type="download">Benjamin Merenbloom and Julia Figurelli-Masucci loading food bags<img sizes="(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px" height="514" width="685" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blte2e2c959582be24f/6287fe053b65ce548fba0eaf/picture6-1024x768.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" class="aligncenter wp-image-4073 size-large" loading="lazy" type="asset" sys-style-type="download">Back Row – Teresa Brunot, Benjamin Merenbloom, Mia Queen, Cathy Woods, Michael Paganelli, Kathryn Ryan, Jen Reda, Heather McAuliffe, Evan Harris, Darren Loueiro, Richard Greene, Kevin Blafkin; Front Row – Evelyn White-Bey, Ann Cook, Julia Figurelli-Masucci, Rhonda Wright, Cheryl Sporleder, Wilma Smith<img sizes="(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px" height="483" width="685" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blt48a7658a40184442/6287fe05bd980555189d7390/20190828_163434-1024x722.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4074" loading="lazy" type="asset" sys-style-type="download">MoFo Chair Larren Nashelsky addresses the D.C. office during a reception following the days of service<img sizes="(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px" height="514" width="685" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blta906980cddc21af3/6287fe066f81705517a1c9c7/picture1-1024x768.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4076" loading="lazy" type="asset" sys-style-type="download">Team A-J’s food donation table<img sizes="(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px" height="514" width="685" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blt1c73f3f361876c19/6287fe06b4fa6b61ed70b457/picture8-1-1024x768.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4077" loading="lazy" type="asset" sys-style-type="download">Team  K-Z’s food donation table<img sizes="(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px" height="481" width="685" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/bltbc6c9abb099af491/6287fe060457495358474df5/20190828_170007-1-1024x719.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" class="aligncenter wp-image-4067 size-large" loading="lazy" type="asset" sys-style-type="download">Larren Nashelsky congratulates team K-Z captain Deanne Maynard, while team A-J captain Chuck Duross considers his fate.

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MoFo D.C. Celebrates 40th Anniversary with Food & Friends Service Days

MoFo D.C. Celebrates 40th Anniversary with Food & Friends Service Days

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MoFo’s Washington, D.C. office turned 40 this year. In honor of this milestone, they planned two days of service to give back to the D.C. community that has don

In this edition of Matters That Matter, we honor the many lawyers who have dedicated their time to important pro bono causes. This month highlights a variety of worthy projects, such as helping an organization dedicated to finding a cure for an aggressive form of cancer, encouraging the development of LGBTQ+ writers through the incorporation of a literacy foundation, and advocating for domestic violence survivors. These are just a few examples of the many ways our lawyers are living out our proud pro bono tradition every day.Helping Lambda Literary Establish a Legal Footprint in NYNew York corporate attorneys Dario de Martino and Ryan Farha are helping existing client <a href="https://www.lambdaliterary.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Lambda Litera</a>ry with advice regarding its operating status in New York. The Lambda Literary Foundation, based in Los Angeles, is a nonprofit organization that encourages the development of LGBTQ+ writers. The organization hosts a number of programs designed to help emerging writers, including the annual Lambda Literary Awards, the Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices, Lambda Literary Review, a weekly e-newsletter, an annual anthology, scholarships, and the LGBTQ writers in schools program.Although it is licensed to do business in New York, the Lambda Literary Foundation is not a New York entity. By establishing a legal footprint in New York, the foundation may be in a better position to qualify for much-needed funding opportunities and financial benefits available only to New York entities.MoFo’s pro bono team is advising the foundation on whether to incorporate in New York and other actions it can, and should, take to qualify for these opportunities. In addition, Washington, D.C. litigation attorneys Kevin Mullen and Alissandra Young are providing the client advice regarding compliance with the terms of a New York City Department of Education grant.Advancing Research to Cure Aggressive Cancer (ROS1+) San Diego corporate attorneys Steve Rowles, Lisa Abbot, Shai Kalansky, and Kevin McKenna assisted <a href="https://ros1cancer.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ROS1DERS</a> with incorporating as a nonprofit in California. ROS1DERS was started by a group of patients and their family members as a means of support to those facing a very aggressive form of cancer known as ROS1 positive (ROS1+).ROS1+ cancer occurs when a gene called ROS1 fuses with a nearby gene and swaps pieces of DNA. It occurs in 1-2% of non-small cell lung cancers, and has also been found in a number of other cancers as well. ROS1ders has catalyzed a unique program: a clinical trial that will accept tissue samples from across the globe, allowing researchers to gather enough data to investigate ROS1 issues in ways that would not be possible in geographically based clinical trials.Supporting Harvard World Model United Nations for its 2020 Tokyo ConferenceMoFo is assisting the <a href="https://www.worldmun.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Harvard World Model United Nations</a> (WorldMUN), a nonprofit run by Harvard undergraduate students, in connection with the Harvard World Model United Nations conference in Tokyo in 2020. In Tokyo, MoFo corporate attorneys Stan Yukevich and Ethan Donovan are advising WorldMUN on its agreement with a Japanese student-run organization. The agreement will govern the working relationship of the parties as they coordinate the Tokyo conference. In Boston, MoFo corporate attorney Leo Martin is supporting WorldMUN on entity formation and filing matters, and tax attorney Katherine Erbeznik in New York is supporting on WorldMUN’s 501(c)(3) status.Each year, WorldMUN selects a country through a competitive bid process for its conference of around 2,000 students from over 100 countries, where students simulate the United Nations and draft policies to tackle topics such as poverty, educational inequalities, migration, and LGBTQ+ rights. The conference frequently features high profile guest speakers such as Pope Francis, the President of Panama, and the King of Spain. The Tokyo conference will be held in March 2020, and has received approval for a subsidy from the Tokyo government.Promoting Financial Independence for Domestic Violence Survivors San Francisco litigation partners Anna Erickson White and Christine Wong, working with summer associates David Gorsche, Kelsey Miller, and Joline Desruisseaux, assisted <a href="http://www.freefrom.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">FreeFrom</a> with multi-state research on the laws of criminal restitution for victims of domestic and gender-based violence. FreeFrom is a California-based nonprofit whose mission is to create pathways to financial security and long-term safety for survivors of gender-based violence.Survivors are often unaware that they can seek restitution, which is available as a component of sentencing in any criminal matter where the victim suffers financial loss as a result of the crime. To make seeking restitution easier, FreeFrom launched a California-specific online compensation tool that provides survivors of domestic and gender-based violence with information on how to obtain financial compensation for the harm that they have suffered. Our research will help FreeFrom expand this tool to help survivors in other states advocate for themselves and achieve financial independence.Offering Structuring Advice for Cleaner WaterwaysMiami corporate attorneys Alexandra Aguirre and Roberto Rodriguez, with assistance from San Francisco tax attorney Lauren Keller, are providing structuring advice to <a href="https://www.microterra.com.mx/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">microTERRA</a>, a for-profit social enterprise that is incorporated in Mexico. microTERRA is a startup that uses microalgae to produce an organic fertilizer from the excess nutrients in agricultural wastewater.microTERRA manufactures, sells, and installs systems that transform waste into a resource, cleaning the water and making it reusable to irrigate crops. Over time, microTERRA’s goal is to reduce the use of synthetic fertilizer and clean Latin America’s waterways. The company was founded by Marissa Cuevas, a 2019 Echoing Green Fellow, who has received other awards including being named an “Ocean Leader” by the Sustainable Ocean Alliance. The attorneys will help microTERRA incorporate in the U.S. as a C Corp., as required for an accelerator program that microTERRA joined, and will help structure a services arrangement to enable running the business from Mexico.xxxMatters That Matter looks at some of the most significant recently opened matters and developments in our global pro bono efforts, from staffing legal clinics and advising nonprofits on their legal needs to advocating for individuals who would otherwise be denied equal access to justice. For more examples of MoFo’s global pro bono efforts, <a href="https://www.mofo.com/culture/pro-bono/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">visit our website</a>.

Matters That Matter: August Pro Bono Roundup

Matters That Matter: August Pro Bono Roundup

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In this edition of Matters That Matter, we honor the many lawyers who have dedicated their time to important pro bono causes. This month highlights a variety of

The American Bar Association honored MoFo veteran trial lawyer <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/james-brosnahan.html">Jim Brosnahan</a> with its prestigious John H. Pickering Achievement Award on August 8, 2019 during the organization’s annual meeting in San Francisco.The ABA chose Jim, Senior Of Counsel in MoFo’s Trial and Appellate practices, to receive the award based on his outstanding legal ability, distinguished record of dedicated service to the profession and the community, and significant contributions to improving access to justice for all—all qualities of the award’s namesake, John H. Pickering.To kick off the award ceremony, MoFo intellectual property litigation partner Jack Londen gave a stirring introduction of his colleague and mentor, saying, “I am 66 years old and I still have a hero.” Jack explained that true heroes have strong principles, are great teachers, show courage, and win tough battles— all qualities that Jim has demonstrated throughout his career.Considered a “lion of the trial bar,” Jim is known for his exceptional legal ability and oral advocacy skills. Jim has tried 150 cases to completion with only 11 losses. He has represented countless pro bono clients in criminal and civil matters, earning him a reputation as a fighter for the underdog.  His impact beyond the courtroom is equally impressive. Jim’s many contributions to the legal profession include:<ul><li>Serving as president of the Bar Association of San Francisco in 1977, and co-founding its Volunteer Legal Services Program (now called the Justice & Diversity Center).</li><li>Serving as one of the earliest and most dedicated stalwarts of diversity in the legal profession and founder of the Minority Committee of the Bar Association of San Francisco.</li><li>Serving as one of the foremost teachers of trial litigation in the country and author of the Trial Handbook for California Lawyers.</li><li>Serving as an outspoken supporter of the Civil Gideon movement, which seeks to establish a right to counsel in civil matters when basic human needs are at stake.</li></ul>When it came time to accept his award, Jim explained that it is the responsibility of lawyers to serve people whose rights are being violated and to speak up when they see injustice. To better prepare the award dinner guests to meet that challenge, Jim arranged to have pocket-sized copies of the U.S. Constitution at every place setting so attendees could copy his example of carrying the Constitution with them every day.Suggesting that lawyers must continue to rise up and fight the good fight, especially in times of injustice, Jim concluded his remarks with Dylan Thomas’s famous words: “Do not go gentle into that good night.”<img sizes="(max-width: 1021px) 100vw, 1021px" height="708" width="1021" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blt8742099d3675ff7a/6287fe0cce671353d5081650/img_1123-1.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" class="aligncenter wp-image-4040" loading="lazy" type="asset" sys-style-type="download"> <img sizes="(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px" height="732" width="1020" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blte5e000ec4e9507ab/6287fe0d3b65ce548fba0eb3/img_1103-1.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" class="aligncenter wp-image-4041" loading="lazy" type="asset" sys-style-type="download"> <img sizes="(max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px" height="715" width="1016" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/bltfa1822a178770234/6287fe0ebd980555189d7394/img_1827-1.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" class="aligncenter wp-image-4042" loading="lazy" type="asset" sys-style-type="download">

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The ABA Honors MoFo Trial Titan Jim Brosnahan with Its 2019 John H. Pickering Achievement Award

The ABA Honors MoFo Trial Titan Jim Brosnahan with Its 2019 John H. Pickering Achievement Award

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The American Bar Association honored MoFo veteran trial lawyer Jim Brosnahan with its prestigious John H. Pickering Achievement Award on August 8, 2019 during t

The American Bar Association recently honored MoFo veteran trial lawyer         <a href="https://www.mofo.com/people/arturo-gonzalez.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Arturo González</a> with its prestigious 2019 Pro Bono Publico Award, for his ongoing commitment to pro bono and public service. Arturo, chair of the firm’s Commercial Litigation & Trial Group, was presented with the award during the organization’s 2019 annual meeting.Arturo was honored for his pro bono work and innumerable public service contributions to the community at large. Considered one of the finest trial lawyers in the United States, Arturo credits his background, growing up as the son of non-English-speaking farm workers, as giving him the unique perspective that he brings into the courtroom every day, and as one of the main factors that motivated him to become a lawyer and fight for those who may not otherwise have access to fair legal representation.During his acceptance speech, Arturo spoke about his non-traditional path to the legal profession, stating, “I didn’t grow up like most partners at large law firms—my parents were immigrant farm workers who didn’t speak English. I was the 11th out of 12 children, and I spent my summers of farms picking tomatoes and peaches.”He recalled that he was the first in his family to attend a four-year college and when he went to law school he couldn’t even name a single law firm. “I sought advice, telling a nice woman in the placement office that I wanted to be a trial lawyer, but I wanted to help poor people too. She recommended a firm called MoFo, and I’m glad she did.”Although Arturo is widely known for his legal prowess in the courtroom securing favorable outcomes for blockbuster clients such as Uber and VMware, his pro bono advocacy efforts have been equally impactful. Throughout his more than three-decades-long career at MoFo, he has been committed to ensuring that even the most underserved communities and individuals have equal representation and access to the law. Over the years, Arturo has worked on more than 100 pro bono cases and has secured favorable outcomes for his clients in many key areas of the law, including:<ul><li>Ensuring the right to an education for low-income children.</li><li>Protecting the constitutional rights of communities of color.</li><li>Curbing abusive tactics and procedures used by certain law enforcement agencies.</li></ul>Arturo’s nomination this year was supported by, among others, retired U.S. District Court Judge Oliver W. Wanger, who presided over two pro bono jury trials in which Arturo served as lead counsel and achieved “outstanding and exemplary results” for plaintiffs with civil rights claims against law enforcement.The ABA Pro Bono Publico Awards are the top honors given by the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service, which over the years has spotlighted the pro bono efforts of individual lawyers and small and large law firms, government attorney offices, corporate law departments, and other institutions in the legal profession.Arturo is a past president of the Bar Association of San Francisco. He and his colleague, Jim Brosnahan, are the only lawyers in MoFo history to have been admitted to the top three invitation-only trial lawyer organizations—the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and the American Board of Trial Advocates.Arturo was presented with the award during the ABA’s Annual Meeting on                      August 8–13, 2019, in San Francisco. For more information, please visit the ABA’s Annual Meeting <a href="https://www.americanbar.org/groups/departments_offices/meetings_travel_dept/annual-meeting/">page</a>.<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4007" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blte2594f0332a10dc4/6287fe0f30bc9653db3ac403/img_7523-e1565882958934-1024x768.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" width="685" height="514" sizes="(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px" type="asset" sys-style-type="download">Left to right: Former MoFo summer associate Bryan Osorio, litigation partner <a href="https://www.mofo.com/people/alexis-amezcua.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Alexis Amezcua</a>, Commercial Litigation & Trial Group chair <a href="https://www.mofo.com/people/arturo-gonzalez.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Arturo González</a>, and former MoFo summer associate Manny Alvarez

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The ABA Honors MoFo Trial Heavyweight Arturo González with Its 2019 Pro Bono Publico Award

The ABA Honors MoFo Trial Heavyweight Arturo González with Its 2019 Pro Bono Publico Award

The American Bar Association recently honored MoFo veteran trial lawyer Arturo González with its prestigious 2019 Pro Bono Publico Award, for his ongoing commit

In this edition of Matters that Matter, we honor the many lawyers who have dedicated their time to important pro bono causes. This month highlights a variety of worthy projects, such as building sustainable food systems, safeguarding the freedom of art, protecting the rights of immigrants, and advocating for global women’s rights. Below are a few examples of the many ways our lawyers are living out our proud pro bono tradition every day.Structuring a More Sustainable Food System San Francisco corporate partner <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/susan-mac-cormac.html">Susan Mac Cormac</a> is helping <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.stonebarnscenter.org/about/">Stone Barns Center</a> with structuring and strategic advice so that it can better leverage its business relationships and have a wider impact on global food systems. The center is seeking to put new agreements in place that will accentuate its partnership with for-profit restaurant Blue Hill at Stone Barns, located in Pocantico Hills, New York. The Stone Barn Center’s mission is to create a healthy and sustainable food system and farming techniques that benefit citizens and the planet. A major cornerstone in the center’s vison to build a resilient ecosystem is paying living wages to farm workers.Protecting the Freedom of Art in Germany Berlin TTG partner <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/christiane-stuetzle.html">Christiane Stuetzle</a> and senior associate <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/patricia-ernst.html">Patricia Ernst</a>, along with Berlin litigation partner <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/julia-schwalm.html">Julia Schwalm</a>, are representing German painter Martin Eder in an appeal related to a copyright dispute. Mr. Eder recently had a solo show at the Newport Street Gallery, a privately financed museum by UK artist Damien Hirst. Following the show, an individual who specializes in computer graphics sued our client, claiming that an image of a blossoming cherry tree referenced in one of our client’s collages was his creation, and that our client was infringing his copyright.The team successfully represented the artist in the lower court, persuading the court to agree that the use of the cherry tree image in the oil painting was a permitted free use covered by the “freedom of the art” law guaranteed by the German Constitution. The Court also shared our view that there was no urgency to initiate a preliminary injunction as the plaintiff himself made copies of the work in question for use on his social media pages, including an Instagram video, in an effort to garner press attention. The decision has an impact beyond the facts of this individual case because it takes a stand for important artistic expressions that would otherwise be prohibited.Ensuring Appropriate Medical Treatment for the LGBTQ Community New York litigator James Hough and San Francisco litigator Andre Fontana, along with summer associate Justin Young and SEO intern Eli Ashenafi, are helping the <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="http://www.nclrights.org/">National Center for Lesbian Rights</a> (NCLR) on amicus briefs before the Ninth and Fourth Circuits in cases involving the Title X gag rule. Title X of the Public Health and Service Act provides federal funding for family-planning services. The federal government’s recently issued gag rule restricts the information that health care providers can give to patients, particularly individuals seeking reproductive health care assistance. NCLR took the lead on an LGBTQ-organizations brief, which now has been joined by organizations such as Lambda Legal and the Human Rights Campaign.There are currently three related cases before the Ninth Circuit, as well as one before the Fourth Circuit. Each district court — the District of Oregon, the Northern District of California, the Eastern District of Washington, and the District of Maryland — granted preliminary injunctions to the rule’s enforcement, all on grounds that the rule violates the Affordable Care Act and requirements in Title X’s appropriations funding that pregnancy counseling be “nondirective.” A panel for the Ninth Circuit ordered the injunctions be stayed pending resolution of the merits, but the Ninth Circuit is now reviewing that stay order en banc. Briefing in the 4th Circuit will be completed in August 2019.Helping Legal Permament Residents Become Citizens A number of New York attorneys are taking on eight separate naturalization matters. They will be assisting clients with completing applications for naturalization to become U.S. citizens and, if applicable, for a waiver of the application fee. The attorneys will submit the applications, respond to any requests for additional information from USCIS, and will prepare and accompany the client to the naturalization interview when it is scheduled.Seeking to Free an Innocent Man San Francisco litigator George Harris and San Diego litigation attorney Christian Andreu-von Euw are assisting the <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_self" href="https://ncip.org/">Northern California Innocence Project</a> (NCIP) with proceedings on a petition for habeas corpus that seeks to free an individual who has served 28 years in prison for a murder he did not commit. There was a two-day evidentiary hearing in Solano County Superior Court in April. The post-hearing briefing was recently completed and final arguments are set to take place in late July.Supporting Women’s Voices Now Palo Alto corporate associate Jennifer Ta and Tokyo technology transactions associate <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/daisuke-gatanaga.html">Daisuke Gatanaga</a>, with assistance from corporate partner <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/mike-krigbaum.html">Mike Krigbaum</a>, are advising Women’s Voices Now on governance and regulatory compliance. Palo Alto summer associate Michael Andrews and corporate paralegal Marie Liu are also assisting the team. They are working with California-based nonprofit <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="http://www.womensvoicesnow.org/our-mission">Women’s Voices Now</a> to draft a checklist of legal obligations for their newly-registered charity, as well as amending governing documents. Women’s Voices Now is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity which uses film to advocate for global women’s rights through an annual online film festival, a free streaming archive of international films relating to women’s rights, educational programs, screening events, and multimedia workshops.Galvanizing Support for Immigrant Teens’ Reproductive Rights Washington, D.C. litigation partner Roxann Henry, Los Angeles litigation associate Neil Tyler, and senior pro bono counsel <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/jennifer-brown.html">Jennifer Brown</a> represented Asylum Access and four other organizations that advocate for immigrants’ rights in an amicus brief to support access to abortion services for a class of teens in government custody. The brief, filed in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of Garza v. Azar, brought by the ACLU, was cited twice in the <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.acludc.org/sites/default/files/field_documents/2019_06_14_dc_cir_panel_opinion_on_merits_appeal.pdf">appellate decision upholding access rights</a>.The purpose behind the brief is to end government interference in access to abortion for pregnant immigrant minors who are in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). The case, now a class action, began with representing a single minor who was barred by ORR from obtaining an abortion, despite having won a Texas judge’s permission to obtain one under that state’s judicial bypass procedure. Her ultimately successful battle to obtain the care she sought was widely publicized.The MoFo team, in support of the lower court class action ruling enjoining the ORR’s interference, conducted extensive outreach to gain support and advice from organizations that work with migrant teens on both sides of the border, as they travel through Latin America and once they are released from ORR shelters in the U.S. The brief documents the sexual violence migrating teens often encounter during their trip, such as rapes that leave many pregnant. Then, once they are here, they are often challenged with trying to find sponsors who can get them out of government custody and explain the legal processes.xxxMatters That Matter looks at some of the most significant recently-opened matters and developments in our global pro bono efforts, from staffing legal clinics and advising nonprofits on their legal needs to advocating for individuals who would otherwise be denied equal access to justice. For more examples of MoFo’s global pro bono efforts, <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/culture/pro-bono/">visit our website</a>.

Matters That Matter: July Pro Bono Roundup

Matters That Matter: July Pro Bono Roundup

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In this edition of Matters that Matter, we honor the many lawyers who have dedicated their time to important pro bono causes. This month highlights a variety of

MoFo pro bono lawyers pour their hearts and souls — and hours — into a variety of worthy projects. And, no matter the result, our attorneys always leave behind a mark on the clients we serve and the causes that we share a passion for.Matters That Matter looks at some of the most significant recently opened matters and developments in our global pro bono efforts, from staffing legal clinics and advising nonprofits on their legal needs to advocating for individuals who would otherwise be denied equal access to justice. Below are a few examples of the many ways our lawyers are living out our proud pro bono tradition every day.Promoting Cost-Effective Watershed ConservationA team of MoFo tax, finance, and corporate attorneys have been advising The Nature Conservancy on the creation of a groundbreaking “pay-for-success” water fund designed to dramatically increase the pace, scale and efficiency of water-quality conservation for the city of Newark, Delaware. The city, along with the Revolving Water Fund, recently announced the closing of the first-ever pay-for-success transaction, which will fund on-farm agricultural restoration activities to reduce nutrients and sediment flowing into surrounding waterways.The project was a partnership between The Nature Conservancy and i2 Capital and is part of a pilot program to examine whether investment in agricultural best management practices on farms can achieve cost-effective pollution reductions that meet regulatory compliance requirements under the Clean Water Act, while also achieving watershed conservation goals.Providing Tax & Trademark Advice to “Girls Crushing It”San Francisco tax attorneys are providing tax advice to <a href="https://www.girlscrushingit.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Girls Crushing It</a> and also assisting the organization with general trademark matters. Girls Crushing It is an entrepreneurship organization that teaches leadership, marketing, and public speaking to girls. The “girlpreneurs” learn the skills necessary to run a business and run a functioning market where they sell their products to shoppers. Even if the girls do not all become small business owners, they will have the opportunity to learn valuable skills and be well equipped to take on more leadership roles.Mentoring Legal Fellows From Justice Without BordersA group of Singapore attorneys are mentoring the legal fellows of our pro bono client <a href="http://forjusticewithoutborders.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Justice Without Borders</a> (JWB), a nonprofit dedicated to helping migrant and foreign domestic workers in Southeast Asia enforce their rights to compensation. The mentoring program is designed to teach the legal fellows useful skills, such as legal drafting, analysis and research, fact gathering and interviewing, and communication skills that the legal fellows can then put to use in support of JWB mission. MoFo is one of 21 local and international law firms that have partnered with JWB to help serve migrant workers from Indonesia and the Philippines who have faced employment difficulties in Hong Kong and Singapore.Advising a Filipina Guest Worker in Hong Kong Hong Kong litigation attorneys are representing a Filipina domestic helper in a labor claim against her employer in Hong Kong. In the matter, referred by JWB, our client filed claims with the Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board, asserting she was constructively dismissed from her employment by adverse job conditions and that her employer forged her signature on a supposedly voluntary resignation letter.The Board, however, has stayed the action while police investigate the client’s forgery allegation. The police investigation has so far lasted four months, and our client, who now has no income and lives in a shelter, wishes to return to the Philippines. We have been asked to advise the client on how her civil claim may survive her departure from Hong Kong and whether an additional claim should be added to her case.Defending New York Students Subjected to Illegal SearchesMoFo, in partnership with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, filed a lawsuit on behalf of parents whose 12-year-old daughters were subjected to illegal strip searches at a middle school in Binghamton, New York. School officials escorted four Black and Latina girls, who were talking and laughing in the hallway during their lunch period, to the health office because of what the officials considered “unusual behavior.” At the direction of the principal and assistant principal, the school nurse conducted an intrusive and demeaning search of each girl without properly notifying or obtaining consent from the girls’ parents. The legal complaint — filed after the school district failed to rectify the situation, including a refusal to issue an apology for the girls’ mistreatment — alleges that the strip searches were motivated by the school officials’ racial bias.Increasing Support for Children in New York’s Foster Care SystemA recent ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit is helping to move forward a decade-old suit that MoFo filed on behalf of the Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York (formerly the New York State Citizens Coalition for Children). The suit seeks to bring New York’s foster care reimbursement rates into compliance with the federal Child Welfare Laws, which require states that accept federal child welfare funds to provide foster parents with monthly payments that “cover the cost (and the cost of providing)” of basic necessities, such as food, clothing, and shelter. Thanks to the ruling, the prospect of increased support for New York State’s children in foster care is on the horizon.Ensuring Equitable Space Exploration and LivingA team from Palo Alto and Northern Virginia is advising <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/future-frontiers-institute/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Future Frontiers Institute</a>, a nonprofit whose mission is to expand human presence across the solar system and ensure that the frameworks that govern space exploration and future life in space are as equitable as they can be. The organization has sought MoFo’s help with corporate governance and partnership agreements that will be critical to their goal of ensuring the benefits of going to space can be enjoyed by everyone, not just a select few. Ensuring Legal Representation for Foster Children MoFo is representing a class of foster children in a suit against the state of Indiana for violating their constitutional right to legal representation in dependency proceedings, also referred to as Children in Need of Supervision proceedings. The suit contends that failure to provide these children of abusive and/or neglectful parents with adequate legal representation often results in decisions about their fate being left to the mercy of the system. Indiana is behind the rest of the nation in making it mandatory to appoint counsel to children in such proceedings. The lawsuit seeks certification of a class of more than 5,000 children and seeks declaratory and injunctive relief that would require appointment of licensed attorneys to represent children in court proceedings.Assisting a Food CharityHong Kong attorneys are providing a broad range of legal assistance to Bo Charity Foundation Ltd., a.k.a. <a href="http://www.foodangel.org.hk/index.php?l=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Food Angel</a>. To date, Food Angel has asked us to advise it on sponsorship, service, and other agreements, as well as other legal issues arising from its day-to-day operations. Food Angel, which was launched in 2011, is a food rescue and food assistance program that rescues edible surplus food from various sectors of the food industry that would otherwise be disposed of as waste. Following strict safety protocols, the rescued food items are prepared as nutritious hot meals in Food Angel’s central kitchen and to be redistributed to underprivileged communities in Hong Kong.Read more about MoFo Pro Bono on our <a href="https://www.mofo.com/culture/pro-bono/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">newly updated website</a>.

Matters That Matter: June Pro Bono Roundup

MoFo pro bono lawyers pour their hearts and souls — and hours — into a variety of worthy projects. And, no matter the result, our attorneys always leave behind 

Matters That Matter: June Pro Bono Roundup