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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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

On February 18, 2020, MoFo’s San Francisco office welcomed esteemed professor and poet Chiyuma Elliott for a discussion on the literature of the Harlem Renaissance, citizenship, and national belonging. Professor Elliott’s visit coincided with the 100th anniversary of the <a href="https://www.history.com/topics/roaring-twenties/harlem-renaissance" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Harlem Renaissance</a>, a cultural movement that began in 1920s Harlem and spread African American literature, music, stage performance, and art throughout the world. Literature was one of the main forms of expression to come out of the movement, and authors such as Langston Hughes and Nella Larsen explored questions of race and belonging in their art.During the discussion, Professor Elliott explored how the fictional and poetic works of such celebrated Harlem Renaissance authors spoke to racial identity in the 1920s. In particular, she discussed the role of miscegenation laws in Nella Larsen’s novel Passing; the relationship between Jean Toomer’s shifting racial self-categorization, and changes in U.S. Census categories. She also discussed some of the ways that immigration laws in the 1920s helped to illuminate the meaning and implications of Langston Hughes’s famous poem “I, Too, Sing America.” Taken together, the literary works and life stories of these authors paint a vivid picture of race and national belonging in this dynamic era in American history.Chiyuma Elliott is an Assistant Professor of African American Studies at the University of California, Berkeley and a former Stegner Fellow. Her poems have appeared in the African American Review, Callaloo, the Notre Dame Review, the PN Review, and other journals. She has received fellowships from the American Philosophical Society, Cave Canem, and the Vermont Studio Center. Additionally, she authored of two books of poetry: California Winter League (2015) and Vigil (2017); and is currently at work on a monograph about rural life in the Harlem Renaissance.Read more about how MoFo is celebrating Black History Month <a href="https://www.mofo.com/resources/news/200206-mofo-celebrates-black-history-month.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.

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MoFo Honors the Centennial of the Harlem Renaissance With a Visit From Professor Chiyuma Elliott

MoFo Honors the Centennial of the Harlem Renaissance With a Visit From Professor Chiyuma Elliott

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On February 18, 2020, MoFo’s San Francisco office welcomed esteemed professor and poet Chiyuma Elliott for a discussion on the literature of the Harlem Renaissa

Matters That Matter: February Pro Bono RoundupIn 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 ensuring medical supplies make it to the epicenter of the Coronavirus outbreak, turning two wrongful arrests into a justifiable settlement, and securing a landmark settlement to improve literacy rates in California schools. These are just a few examples of the many ways our lawyers are living out our proud pro bono tradition every day. Responding to the Coronavirus CrisisNew York attorneys <a href="https://www.mofo.com/people/jiang-liu.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jiang Liu</a>, <a href="https://www.mofo.com/people/anthony-carbone.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tony Carbone</a>, Katherine Erbeznik, and <a href="https://www.mofo.com/people/malka-levitin.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Malka Levitin</a> are providing legal advice as needed to the <a href="http://nywhu.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Wuhan University Alumni Association of Greater New York, Inc. </a> The Association is raising funds in the U.S. to purchase medical necessities for doctors and patients in the Hubei province of China, which includes Wuhan, the epicenter of the current outbreak of the new coronavirus.The Association is also accepting medical donations and shipping them from New York to Wuhan. While support continues to grow, the Association has reported that it has raised more than $1.3 million for this effort thus far, allocating around $775,000 to purchase and ship over 2.2 million pieces of consumable medical supplies, such as surgical masks, protective gowns, gloves, shoe covers, and respirators to hospitals in the most affected areas.Ensuring Justice After Wrongful ArrestsOn February 11, 2020, the San Diego City Council approved a $1.475 million settlement on behalf pro bono clients Brandon Duncan and Aaron Harvey. The civil rights law suit was filed in 2017 by a MoFo legal team, led by litigators Mark Zebrowski and <a href="https://www.mofo.com/people/john-lanham.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">John Lanham</a>, against the City of San Diego and two police officers over the 2014 arrest under Penal Code Section 182.5 that were based in part on their social media postings and Duncan’s rap lyrics.The charges were ultimately dismissed by a judge who found there was no evidence that Duncan or Harvey committed any crimes after they spent seven months in county jail. The civil rights lawsuit claimed that they were wrongfully arrested and incarcerated and the federal court found there was no probable cause for the arrests. Read more about the case <a href="https://www.mofo.com/resources/news/200212-san-diego-settlement-wrongful-arrest.html">here</a>. Fighting for the Safety of an Immigrant Child Northern Virginia litigation partner <a href="https://www.mofo.com/people/tina-reynolds.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tina Reynolds</a> and corporate of counsel Shouvik Biswas are representing a 6-year-old boy from Honduras who is seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) or asylum. The boy, abandoned by his parents, was raised by his maternal grandmother. In mid-2019 the boy and his grandmother began to receive threats to hurt the child, and they ultimately fled to the United States.At the border, U.S. officials forcibly separated the boy from his grandmother, and she remains in detention. The boy lives with a maternal aunt in Springfield, Virginia and now needs an attorney to help his aunt file a petition for custody in the Fairfax County Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court, where SIJS findings will be sought based on his parents’ abandonment and neglect. Attorneys will also explore a potential asylum claim. <a href="https://supportkind.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kids in Need of Defense</a> (KIND) referred this matter to the firm and continues to provide mentoring services for this case.Reaching a Landmark Settlement in California Literacy LawsuitOn February 20, 2020, MoFo and Public Counsel announced that a $53 million settlement was reached in Ella T. v. State of California, the first civil rights action brought under any state constitution to protect students’ right to access to literacy. Under the settlement, the California Department of Education, the State Board of Education, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond have agreed to provide resources to improve literacy outcomes for the state’s lowest performing schools and provide extra support to the Stockton Unified School District.The settlement provides multiple remedies to improve literacy, including $50 million in block grants for 75 low-performing elementary schools to develop and implement customized three-year literacy action plans allowing schools to invest in evidenced-based practices to improve student literacy, the adoption of a holistic approach to literacy, a shift away from punitive school discipline practices, and $3 million for the creation of a statewide “expert lead on literacy” who will work to strengthen the state’s literacy infrastructure and training opportunities, and assist grant recipients.The MoFo team—led by partners Michael Jacobs and <a href="https://www.mofo.com/people/erik-olson.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Erik Olson</a> and—included partners <a href="https://www.mofo.com/people/gregory-koltun.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Greg Koltun</a>, and <a href="https://www.mofo.com/people/jack-londen.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jack Londen</a>, of counsel Robin Stafford, and associates <a href="https://www.mofo.com/people/roman-swoopes.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Roman Swoopes</a>, Dan Hubin, Alessa Yin-Chen Hwang, and Janet Lee.  Building a Movement with iamtheCODELondon litigation partner <a href="https://www.mofo.com/people/chiraag-shah.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Chiraag Shah</a> and corporate attorney William Akman are helping <a href="https://www.iamthecode.org/about/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">iamtheCODE</a> to incorporate the organization as a charity in the UK. iamtheCODE describes itself as “the first African-led global movement to mobilize government, private sector, and investors to advance STEAMED (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, Entrepreneurship, and Design) Education.” The organization’s mission is to build a generation of 1 million women and girl coders by 2030. It focuses on marginalized communities, in part by running programs in places like the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya and libraries in Africa, Asia, and the UK.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>.

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Matters That Matter: February Pro Bono Roundup

Matters That Matter: February Pro Bono Roundup

Matters That Matter: February Pro Bono Roundup In this edition of Matters That Matter, we honor the many lawyers who have dedicated their time to important pro 

On February 11, in honor of Black History Month, MoFo partners, staff, clients, and friends welcomed Stacey Abrams, former minority leader in the Georgia state legislature and the 2018 Democratic candidate for Georgia governor to our New York office. MoFo’s Diversity Strategy and Black History Month Committees jointly hosted the event titled “The 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment and Where We Are Today.”Stacey delivered her speech addressing this year’s Black History Month theme, “African Americans and the Vote,” to a 180-person live audience in New York and more than 200 people viewing a live broadcast of the presentation from MoFo’s U.S. offices.Stacey’s Grandma’s First Time VotingStacey began by recalling a story her grandmother told about her first opportunity to vote, which was in the 1968 election, three years after President Lyndon Johnson had signed the Voting Rights Act in 1965, which outlawed the discriminatory voting practices and prerequisites that many southern states adopted after the Civil War.Her grandmother explained that the first time she was afforded the right to vote in Mississippi, she almost didn’t exercise it—because she was afraid. Stacey’s grandmother could remember “paying bail for her son, [Stacey’s] father, when he was 14 or 15 after he was arrested for registering people to vote,” Stacey recounted. With memories of Jim Crow laws and fire hoses aimed at protesters still vivid in her mind, Stacey’s grandmother couldn’t imagine a trip to the ballot box that wouldn’t involve violence.Thankfully, Stacey’s grandfather was able to convince his wife to go out with him and vote that day. And Stacey’s account of the story drove home one of her presentation’s main points: “I celebrate the 19th Amendment as a woman and the 15th Amendment as a person of color,” she said. “We can adopt all the Constitutional Amendments we want,” she continued, but as long as the states have considerable discretion to establish qualifications for suffrage, “that right is ephemeral.”Stacey’s grandmother’s experience exemplifies this point. Her first opportunity to vote was in the 1968 election despite the fact that the 19th Amendment, which gives women the right to vote, was passed in 1920. “[D]iscriminatory Jim Crow laws, coupled with a resurgent and violent Ku Klux Klan, had a firm grip in the Southern states. African-American women in the Deep South could no more exercise their right to vote in 1920 than African-American men after the passage of the 15th Amendment in 1870,” according to the <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.splcenter.org/news/2019/06/01/weekend-read-challenging-whitewashed-history-womens-suffrage">Southern Poverty Law Center</a>.An “Ephemeral” RightStacey went on to describe a few modern state qualifications on suffrage, some or all of which might have cost her the 2018 gubernatorial race in Georgia despite the fact that she won more votes in that election than any other Democrat in the state’s history.For one thing, Georgia is one of at least nine states with a “<a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.npr.org/2018/10/22/659591998/6-takeaways-from-georgias-use-it-or-lose-it-voter-purge-investigation">use it or lose it</a>” policy, providing that citizens can be removed from the voter registration list for not voting in past elections or failing to respond to notices mailed by the state. In July 2017, at least 107,000 people were removed from Georgia’s voter polls because of that policy.Stacey described other elements that likely impeded the suffrage rights of people of color during the 2018 gubernatorial race, including Georgia’s “exact match” law and attempts to suppress the black vote, including closing polling places in predominantly black counties.Stacey’s Description of the Georgia Gubernatorial ElectionIn the Q&A session with MoFo partner <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/mark-whitaker.html">Mark Whitaker</a> that followed, Stacey explained why she categorized her speech announcing that Republican Brian Kemp will be Georgia’s next governor as a “non-concession speech.”“Election Day was November 6. By election night, the Associated Press could not call the election because of the number of reports of voter suppression,” Stacey explained.“We had a voter hotline, and during the course of early voting, through Election Day and beyond, we received more than 80,000 phone calls from people who experienced voter suppression.”And so Stacey decided to fight until every vote was counted.Over the ten days following the election, Stacey’s campaign, in coalition with several groups, filed a number of lawsuits over the alleged illegality of the voting conditions in many precincts, winning almost every one.Nevertheless, Stacey explains, “In Georgia, you have to prove with nearly empirical certainty that you would have won, which is nearly an impossible standard to me.”In light of circumstances, the closest she could come to bringing closure to the election while preserving her integrity and her responsibility to her voters was to acknowledge the legal sufficiency of the outcome while stating that the system is not legitimate.Stacey’s Ambitions for the FutureDespite the seriousness of her main topic, Stacey managed to keep her rapt audience inspired and laughing, even describing the breakup with a college sweetheart that precipitated her creation of a list of goals—something she maintains to this day.“I walked across the Spellman College campus to the computer lab at around one in the morning and I opened up Lotus 1-2-3, which I used to create a spreadsheet listing all of my ambitions, all of the things I was going to accomplish to prove him wrong.”As the first black woman to become the gubernatorial nominee for a major party in the United States; a graduate of Yale Law School; and the author of several books, including Lead from the Outside, copies of which Stacey signed for her MoFo audience; it’s safe to say Stacey has a achieved at least some of the lofty aspirations she’s logged onto her list.In the wake of the gubernatorial race in Georgia, Stacey launched two organizations to try to combat the voter suppression she witnessed.“One is called Fair Fight 2020. That represents our work in 18 states to ensure we have fair votes across the country in 2020. If you would like to help, go to https://fairfight.com/fair-fight-2020/ and sign up,” Stacey urged the audience. “We will assign you a responsibility. We might, for example, ask you to phone bank to a state that needs support.”She did emphasize, however, that “if you live in a state that faces voter suppression, one of the most effective things you can do is volunteer to be a poll worker. The more people we have who understand the legal implications of voter laws, the better the election process is for all.”Her second organization, Fair Count, works to ensure people are counted and redistricting is fair. “Just as important to fair elections as fighting voter suppression is the accuracy of the 2020 Census. We are working to ensure that hard-to-count communities in every state accurately will be included in the 2020 Census.”Stacey recently added a particularly ambitious goal to her list of aspirations, and she’s not shy about sharing it: There might be a U.S. Presidential or Vice Presidental run in her future.“It’s important to broadcast your ambitions,” she said.<img sizes="(max-width: 916px) 100vw, 916px" height="458" width="916" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blt7d4c45de963b63a8/6287fd751cd65960bcff05c8/02_14_staceyabrams06_elevatetwitter.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" class="aligncenter wp-image-4493" loading="lazy" type="asset" sys-style-type="download">Stacey delivered her speech to 180 MoFo partners, staff, clients, and friends in our New York office.<img sizes="(max-width: 916px) 100vw, 916px" height="458" width="916" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/bltd53c82ec1e22dfe1/6287fd7a30bc9653db3ac3d1/02_14_staceyabrams05_elevatetwitter.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" class="aligncenter wp-image-4493" loading="lazy" type="asset" sys-style-type="download">Stacey with Washington, D.C. partner Mark Whitaker during the live Q&A session.<img sizes="(max-width: 904px) 100vw, 904px" height="452" width="904" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blt12760208e7197878/6287fd7b0457495358474dc5/02_14_staceyabrams04_elevatetwitter.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" class="aligncenter wp-image-4494" loading="lazy" type="asset" sys-style-type="download">Guests enjoyed a book signing of Stacey’s Lead from the Outside.

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A Discussion with Stacey Abrams: The 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment and Where We Are Today

On February 11, in honor of Black History Month, MoFo partners, staff, clients, and friends welcomed Stacey Abrams, former minority leader in the Georgia state 

A Discussion with Stacey Abrams: The 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment and Where We Are Today

In the first civil rights lawsuit ever brought under any  state constitution to secure  students’ right to achieve literacy, Morrison & Foerster and its co-counsel, <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="http://www.publiccounsel.org/">Public Counsel</a>, on Feb. 20, 2020, reached a groundbreaking settlement on behalf of schoolchildren across the State of California.“This settlement is a tremendous victory for the courageous families and community leaders who demanded that the State of California fulfill its obligation to provide every child the opportunity to learn to read,” said <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/erik-olson.html">Erik Olson</a>, partner at Morrison & Foerster. “The settlement provides an immediate infusion of resources to California’s hardest hit schools, strengthens the state’s literacy infrastructure and knowledge base, and requires data collection and transparency to inform future efforts. We’re thrilled to be part of this wonderful win for the children of California.”The settlement, among other things, assigns $53 million in funding to the ensure literacy for California’s children, $50 million of which will take the form of grants to 75 low-performing California elementary schools to implement customized three-year literacy action plans. The other $3 million will go toward “the creation of a statewide ‘expert lead on literacy’ who will work to strengthen the state’s literacy infrastructure and training opportunities, and assist grant recipients.”MoFo and its co-counsel filed the suit, Ella T. v. State of California, on December 5, 2017, in Los Angeles County Superior Court on behalf of students at several California schools and those students’ advocates. The complaint alleged that, in 2016-17, the reading proficiency rates at the schools attended by plaintiffs were between 4% and 11%.In addition to providing targeted funding to promote literacy, the settlement also addresses school discipline practices that can create barriers to literacy. It requires that the state issue guidelines to reduce racially disproportionate discipline and calls for formation of a Blue Ribbon Commission on exclusionary discipline, which proponents hope will reduce punitive disciplinary measures that discourage children and rob them of instructional time.The MoFo team—led by partners Erik Olson and Michael Jacobs—included partner Greg Koltun, of counsel Robin Stafford, and associates Roman Swoopes, Dan Hubin, Alessa Yin-Chen Hwang, and Janet Lee.

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MoFo Secures Landmark Settlement Advancing California Schoolchildren’s Right to Literacy

MoFo Secures Landmark Settlement Advancing California Schoolchildren’s Right to Literacy

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In the first civil rights lawsuit ever brought under any  state constitution to secure  students’ right to achieve literacy, Morrison & Foerster and its co-coun

In a groundbreaking decision, a federal district judge in Arizona granted a permanent injunction requiring a Customs & Border Protection (CBP) facility in Tucson to provide the civil detainees who are held there for more than 48 hours with a bed, blanket, shower, potable food and water, and a medical assessment, because the conditions former detainees suffered violate the U.S. Constitution.“This is an excellent outcome and we look forward to its implementation,” said Morrison & Foerster partner Colette Reiner Mayer, one of the lawyers who tried the case, which is now known as <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.nilc.org/issues/litigation/jdoe1vjohnson/">Doe v. Wolf</a>. “After years of collecting evidence and preparing and trying this case, the border detention facilities will no longer be allowed to violate the Constitution.”Following a seven-day trial of the case in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, the Honorable David C. Bury wrote an opinion stating that the class of plaintiffs, comprising tens of thousands of migrants, “must be afforded ‘more considerate treatment’ than even pretrial detainees, who are being criminally detained prior to trial.”Witness testimony and 15 video stills submitted as exhibits corroborated the Complaint’s description of the Tucson Sector’s detention centers’ conditions. They depict people huddled under sheets of Mylar in jam-packed, brightly-lit rooms.“Civil detainees in Border Patrol stations have suffered for too long, and this decision will pave the way for systemic change across the country,” added Colette, who was joined on the trial team by MoFo partner Jack Londen, as well as associates Aaron Bray, John Douglass, Pieter de Ganon, and numerous former associates over the course of five years, and paralegals Anne Lepore, Gary Stenger, and Ethel Villegas.Also remarking on the outcome, an individual who served as a witness at trial and was once held in the Sector by the CBP said, “I feel very happy to know that things are going to change in these detention centers and that people will not have to spend much time under the conditions I was detained in. I am very happy to know that I helped make things better for all of the people who follow; so many people will benefit from being treated better during the time they have to be detained there.”To secure the precedent-setting verdict, MoFo worked closely with co-counsel from the <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.acluaz.org/">ACLU of Arizona</a>, the American Immigration Council, the National Immigration Law Center, and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area.  <img sizes="(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" height="507" width="760" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/bltaee158dcd1a47e9f/6287fd7b6f81705517a1c9ad/vtcc000019a.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4470" loading="lazy" type="asset" sys-style-type="download">

MoFo Wins Verdict Holding Conditions in Customs & Border Protection Holding Cells Unconstitutional

MoFo Wins Verdict Holding Conditions in Customs & Border Protection Holding Cells Unconstitutional

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In a groundbreaking decision, a federal district judge in Arizona granted a permanent injunction requiring a Customs & Border Protection (CBP) facility in Tucso

Editors’ Note: As part of our ongoing Faces of MoFo series, Tola Adeseye, a London associate in our Investigations + White Collar Defense Group, discusses his career path and what led him to call MoFo home. My journey to MoFo started in east London, and the postcode of our new London office would tell you that my MoFo journey continues to take place on the east side of the city. I was born and raised in London, by Nigerian parents who migrated to the UK in the 1980s. My father was a lawyer in Nigeria, which meant that a career in law was on my radar from an early age, and began to materialize when I finally let go of my (pipe) dream of becoming a Premier League football player.For university, I decided to venture as far as the other side of London to study law at Brunel University. The university had a somewhat unique law course that included one year of legal employment in the middle of the degree. I was fortunate enough to be placed at the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service during this year, in a department tasked with prosecuting some of the country’s most high-profile drugs and firearms importation cases.My experience here — which included observing and assisting talented barristers and prosecutors —  really cemented my aspirations to become a lawyer (albeit, preferably in a more commercial setting). In the final year of my studies, I began to look more closely at opportunities in U.S. firms with London offices, particularly as U.S. firms were championed for diversity in the London market. Of the opportunities that presented themselves, my two-week vacation scheme at MoFo was, by far and away, the one that impressed me most. The firm ticked several boxes with its remarkable client list, non-hierarchical atmosphere, fantastic pro bono opportunities, and employees from all backgrounds and walks of life.The English system meant that I was able to spend the first two years of my MoFo employment rotating between four different practice areas. Having never lived outside the corners of the London Underground map, I spent one of my six-month rotations in our Singapore office. The combination of working in a foreign jurisdiction and exploring South-East Asia with my (then new) wife in my free time made it a truly wonderful experience.Ultimately, I found my calling as a litigator focusing primarily on white-collar crime investigations, thus melding my previous experience of criminal law with the commercial environment that I was seeking. Working on high-profile cross-jurisdictional investigations for industry-leading clients has been the highlight of my career so far, and not only because of the opportunity for more international travel! Aside from the high-profile client work, being a lawyer at MoFo has also enabled me to use my skills to benefit some of those less fortunate in my city, both through pro bono initiatives and social mobility mentoring schemes.Because I have experienced a number of life milestones at the firm, I don’t consider MoFo merely a workplace. I got married early in my MoFo career and we now have a two-year old daughter. Given how time-consuming such life events can be, I am grateful to have been working in an environment where I could undertake high-quality, and oftentimes demanding, work around people whose company I genuinely enjoy, and have never felt prevented from enjoying life outside of work. For example, I remain an avid football fan and have even attended several football matches with a partner at MoFo as we follow the same football team.<img loading="lazy" class="alignleft wp-image-4450" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/bltfde411d5f2f1053d/6287fd7c8e88d660b6a12f5d/20200124_133527-225x300.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" width="312" height="417" sizes="(max-width: 312px) 100vw, 312px" type="asset" sys-style-type="download">I feel very well-integrated as part of both the London office and the firm’s wider network. I continue to be a member of the MoFo Diversity Committee in London and often take up roles in committees for specific business development and social events. MoFo has also encouraged me to join external organizations such as the Young Fraud Lawyers Association, and generally engage in thought-leadership initiatives.I am privileged to have been able to pursue my aspirations in the city I love, in a firm that feels like home.

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Faces of MoFo: Tola Adeseye

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Editors’ Note: As part of our ongoing Faces of MoFo series, Tola Adeseye, a London associate in our Investigations + White Collar Defense Group, discusses his c

Faces of MoFo: Tola Adeseye

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 tackling questions regarding housing rights for people living with mental health disabilities, advocating for those living with diabetes, and helping combat environmental crimes in the Amazon. These are just a few examples of the many ways our lawyers are living out our proud pro bono tradition every day.Preventing Indefinite Immigration Detention for Families On January 28, 2020, New York litigators Amanda Aikman and Natasha Menell and senior pro bono counsel <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/jennifer-brown.html">Jennifer Brown</a> filed an amicus brief on behalf of 40 religious and inter-religious organizations opposing new federal regulations that would authorize the indefinite detention of families during immigration proceedings. The new regulations have been blocked by a federal district court as contrary to the Flores settlement agreement, which requires that children only be detained in state-licensed child care facilities, and for the least time possible. The brief was filed in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which will hear the government’s appeal of the lower court ruling. Read the full brief <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/assets/blt5775cc69c999c255/blt0b3f876657a93cbd/627321017198441d81b3a8b7/200128-flores-amicus-brief-as-filed-9th-cir.pdf">here</a>.Making Solar More ScalableSan Francisco corporate attorneys <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/susan-mac-cormac.html">Susan Mac Cormac</a>, <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/benjamin-tr-fox.html">Ben Fox</a>, and Jason Parnell, along with tax attorneys Maureen Linch, <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/shane-shelley.html">Shane Shelley</a>, and Jessica Stern, are advising <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://gridalternatives.org/">GRID Alternatives</a> (GRID) on a Solar Access Fund. GRID is a nonprofit dedicated to providing underserved communities with access to clean energy and contributing to the clean energy economy through the installation of solar energy systems and solar job training.Through its Solar Access Fund, GRID is working with one of its partner organizations to develop an online platform that will help make it easier for nonprofit organizations to provide Program-Related Investments (PRIs) to commercial-scale solar projects that serve low-to-moderate income communities. The MoFo team is advising on how to structure GRID’s relationship with its solar developer partner organization, in addition to one or more investment vehicles to attract PRIs, for-profit, and debt investments, among other tax matters.Supporting a “diaTribe” Against Diabetes San Francisco trademark attorneys <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliana-finley-ba397b56">Juliana Finley</a>, <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/muzamil-huq.html">Muzamil Huq</a>, <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/joyce-liou.html">Joyce Liou</a>, Ryan Romain, and Jennifer Taylor are providing intellectual property advice to <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://diatribe.org/foundation/">the diaTribe Foundation</a>. Founded by type 1 patient Kelly Close, the diaTribe Foundation’s origins date back to 2006 with the creation of the diaTribe newsletter, aimed at providing meaningful content to people touched by diabetes, and the organization was designated as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2013.The diaTribe Foundation is passionately committed to raising awareness about the national—and worldwide—epidemic of diabetes, advocating for new approaches to treatment, and improving the daily lives of people with diabetes and pre-diabetes. The nonprofit’s core programs are designed to engage policy-makers, industry leaders, providers, and the public in an effort to elevate the national conversation on diabetes and connect leaders in the field.Reducing Lengthy Prison Stays for Incarcerated Individuals MoFo’s pro bono team has initiated a multi-office project with the <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.splcenter.org/">Southern Poverty Law Center</a> (SPLC) that aims to help incarcerated individuals who are serving mandatory sentences in Mississippi to reduce their prison stays. Mississippi’s harsh “three-strikes” sentencing law has resulted in numerous individuals receiving lengthy prison sentences, some equating to decades in prison. However, the Mississippi state legislature recently passed a law that allows three-strike, incarcerated individuals who have served at least 25% of their mandatory sentence to petition their sentencing courts and seek parole. SPLC estimates that there are as many as 1,200 inmates who could take advantage of this relief.MoFo Tokyo partners <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/j-lawrence.html">Alex Lawrence</a> and <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://jp.linkedin.com/in/akira-irie-3598903">Akira Irie</a> are working with several Tokyo associates to take on our first set of eight matters with SPLC.Researching Fair Housing Laws for Individuals with Mental Health Disabilities Los Angeles litigation partner <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/ryan-malloy.html">Ryan Malloy</a> and several MoFo associates are helping <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="http://mhas-la.org/">Mental Health Advocacy Services, Inc.</a> (MHAS) with research on three questions related to how state and federal fair housing laws protect individuals with mental health disabilities who rent rooms in private homes or live in homeless shelters.MHAS is a nonprofit organization that provides free legal services to people with mental disabilities. The organization assists both children and adults, with an emphasis on obtaining government benefits and services, protecting rights, and fighting discrimination. MHAS also serves as a resource to the community by providing training and technical assistance to attorneys, mental health professionals, consumer and family member groups, and other advocates. In addition, MHAS participates in impact litigation in an effort to improve the lives of people with mental disabilities.Combatting Environmental Crimes in the Amazon Washington, D.C. finance of counsel James Black and partner Charles Cole are reviewing a contract for existing client, <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazonconservation.org/">Amazon Conservation Association</a> (ACA). ACA has been offered a substantial subcontract to assist with a USAID-funded project focused on combating environmental crimes in Peru, specifically monitoring threats of illegal logging and gold-mining, and building government capacity to respond. This builds on the ACA’s years of work in its Monitoring of the Andean Amazon Project (MAAP), as well as its work training forest users in preventing and reporting environmental crimes, working in close collaboration with Peru’s Environmental Prosecutors Office, the Peru Forest Service, and others.Amazon Conservation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that unites science, innovation, and community to protect the western Amazon—the greatest wild forest on earth. Over the past 20 years, Amazon Conservation’s approach of protecting wild places, empowering people, and putting science and technology to work has protected over 8 million acres of threatened natural areas.Restoring Tax-Exempt Status to Help Disadvantaged Children New York tax associate Katherine Erbeznik won restoration of tax-exempt status for a Virginia group that helps disadvantaged children in Fairfax County schools improve their educational opportunities. Our client fell into a not-uncommon trap for small nonprofits: it failed to file an annual informational return with the IRS for three consecutive years, resulting in automatic revocation of its tax-exempt status. Katherine guided the client in submitting the filings needed to regain exempt status, and on December 30th, 2019 learned the good news that the IRS has retroactively restored the client’s tax exemption.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>.

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Matters That Matter: January Pro Bono Roundup

Matters That Matter: January 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

<a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/christin-hill.html">Christin Hill</a> is a partner in MoFo’s San Francisco office and a member of the Securities Litigation, Enforcement, and White-Collar Defense Group. Christin has extensive experience representing clients in securities class actions and other complex civil litigation in both federal and state courts, as well as in government and internal investigations. Before joining the firm, Christin served as senior counsel at Uber Technologies, Inc. and also served as an assistant district attorney in the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office.In two to three sentences, describe your practice. I represent companies, officers, and directors in shareholder class actions, internal investigations, and regulatory proceedings. My matters often arise when shareholders sue the company or board of directors following a stock price drop, or in a dispute arising from a merger. I also handle other types of complex commercial litigation.Why did you choose to make MoFo your professional home? I joined MoFo for two reasons. First, the firm has long been a leader in shareholder class action litigation. Joining MoFo meant working with some of the best practitioners in this space, like <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/jordan-eth.html">Jordan Eth</a> and <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/anna-white.html">Anna Erickson White</a>, who are two of the sharpest securities litigators around. It was an irresistible opportunity.Second, I knew that MoFo was a place where attorneys of color thrive. For decades, MoFo leadership has worked hard to cultivate an environment where attorneys of color feel welcomed and valued. MoFo is not perfect — no firm is — but it is evident that valuing diversity is part of the firm’s DNA. The fact that I personally knew more than a handful of partners of color who were thriving at MoFo, like <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/alexis-amezcua.html">Alexis Amezcua</a>, Josh Hill, and <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/eric-tate.html">Eric Tate</a>, showed me that I could be my authentic self at the firm and ultimately be successful.How do clients benefit from having diverse teams of lawyers working for them? As lawyers, we are problem solvers. Every day, we work hard to come up with creative solutions to our clients’ problems. If we all came from the same background, with similar life experiences, there would be a strong risk of “group think.” Diversity is an important way to disrupt the group think, and ensure that a wider variety of ideas are considered and ultimately that the best ideas prevail. On a practical level, as litigators, you never know who is going to connect with the judge, the jury, a key witness, or even opposing counsel. Diversity creates more opportunities to forge connections that could lead to a better result for our clients.Learn more about MoFo’s commitment to diversity and inclusion <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/culture/diversity">here</a>.

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Partner Spotlight: Christin Hill

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Christin Hill is a partner in MoFo’s San Francisco office and a member of the Securities Litigation, Enforcement, and White-Collar Defense Group. Christin has e

Partner Spotlight: Christin Hill

MoFo is proud to continue its support of <a href="http://www.willinghearts.org.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Willing Hearts</a>, a Singapore charity that provides 6,500 meals and other services to low-income families, the elderly, and migrant workers in over 40 locations island-wide each day of the year.On Wednesday, January 8, 2020, MoFo lawyers and staff from our <a href="https://www.mofo.com/offices/singapore.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Singapore office</a> joined the volunteer team that runs the charity’s central soup kitchen. They spent a fulfilling day helping to prepare ingredients, cook, pack, and deliver nutritious meals to those who need them most.The volunteers also enjoyed a delicious team lunch at the APSN Café for All next door, which is run by trainees from the Association for Persons with Special Needs. This inspirational social enterprise gives adults with special needs a supportive environment in which they learn to prepare, cook, and serve food to customers. The aim is to help them assimilate into society by finding jobs in regular cafes and restaurants.<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4400" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blt60034badc0384a47/6287fd836f81705517a1c9b1/dsc6101-scaled.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" width="2560" height="1707" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" type="asset" sys-style-type="download">From L-R: Jeanne Giam, Chia Koon Hong, Ang Lip Kian, Champ Charernthamanont, Liz Russell,  David Hambrick, Craig Celniker<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4401" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/bltf931bddf5fe2ba0d/6287fd843b65ce548fba0e8b/dsc6188-scaled.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" width="2560" height="1707" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" type="asset" sys-style-type="download">From L-R: Daniel Steel, Per Lindberg, Jeanne Giam<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4406" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blta395cac8c3ad913e/6287fd850457495358474dc9/22_dsc6308.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" width="2500" height="1668" sizes="(max-width: 2500px) 100vw, 2500px" type="asset" sys-style-type="download">From L-R: Charlyn Lim, Elaine Zhou, Paul Davis, Erica Chan, Chia Koon Hong, Gillian Teo, Nick Davies<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4403" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/bltd9b72aae2110ed37/6287fd8630bc9653db3ac3d9/dsc6089-scaled.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" width="2560" height="1709" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" type="asset" sys-style-type="download">From L-R: Tracy Forster, Chun Ting Ting, Jason Nelms, Jessie Tan, Chia Koon Hong<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4408" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blt0429a22de4be88a6/6287fd8ab385dc535242694b/23_dsc6283.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" width="2500" height="1666" sizes="(max-width: 2500px) 100vw, 2500px" type="asset" sys-style-type="download">Front Row (L-R): Sheryl George, Daniel Levison, Jake Robson, Hong Cheong Wong, Paul Davis    Back Row (L-R): Charlyn Lim, Nick Davies, Elaine Zhou, Gillian Teo, Erica Chan, Jenny Xu, Bernadette Lee, Fiona Goh, Chia Koon Hong, Jeanne Giam

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MoFo Singapore Office Gives Back with Day of Service

MoFo Singapore Office Gives Back with Day of Service

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MoFo is proud to continue its support of Willing Hearts, a Singapore charity that provides 6,500 meals and other services to low-income families, the elderly, a

On Thursday, December 5, 2019, MoFo welcomed leading attorneys and diversity professionals from some of the most influential law firms in the United States to the New York office for the 2019 Women’s Initiative Think Tank. The Think Tank, presented by Threshold Advisors and Hub6, was formed to inspire meaningful dialogue on women’s initiatives within law firms and provide attendees with actionable takeaways to help improve their firms’ women’s and diversity programs.MoFo partner and co-chair of the Women’s Strategy Committee <a href="https://www.mofo.com/people/carrie-cohen" target="_self" rel="noopener noreferrer">Carrie H. Cohen</a>, Chief Talent Officer Diane Downs, and Director of Attorney Development and Women’s Initiatives Janet Stone Herman represented MoFo at the event.  Carrie, Diane, and Janet were invited to discuss key topics regarding the advancement of women in law firms during a tactical workshop. They also shared some of the core principles and strategies that have driven the success of women’s programs at MoFo.In addition, Carrie led the lunchtime keynote titled “Diversity & Inclusion: A View from the Bench.” As part of the keynote, Carrie presented findings from a report she co-authored that was adopted by the New York State Bar Association and the American Bar Association titled If Not Now, When? Achieving Equality for Women Attorneys in the Courtroom and in ADR. She also engaged in a fireside chat with a member of the judiciary in which they discussed the bench’s ability in the courtroom to advance the professional development of women and diverse attorneys.Other programs on the agenda included a session on intersectionality titled “Changing the Conversation with Black Women at Work,” and a roundtable discussion on “Allyship: New and Best Practices.” Attendees were given the opportunity to offer and receive advice on a number of critical issues in the advancement of women in law firms. The event ended with a networking and cocktail reception.The Think Tank was started by Threshold Advisors in an effort to further the work of women’s initiatives. Psychologist, career coach, and author Dr. Karen Kahn established the Talent Development Collaborancy™ to provide strategic business coaching for the legal industry and lead others in creating workplaces where women and men thrive and elevate the success of their firms. Rachel Silverman from Hub6 Advisors, a business development coach with extensive legal experience, teamed up with Karen to design and execute the Think Tank’s programming.Learn more about women’s programs and initiatives at MoFo <a href="https://www.mofo.com/culture/women-of-mofo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.

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MoFo Hosts 2019 Women’s Initiative Think Tank

MoFo Hosts 2019 Women’s Initiative Think Tank

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On Thursday, December 5, 2019, MoFo welcomed leading attorneys and diversity professionals from some of the most influential law firms in the United States to t