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.

Social

Search

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.

brown_jennifer_blog_150x150.png

brown_jennifer_common_640x280.jpg

brown_jennifer_heroretina_2700x1160.jpg

brown_jennifer_mobileretina_750x1040.jpg

brown_jennifer_social_600x600.jpg

Senior Pro Bono Counsel

Staff

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

Jennifer K. Brown

Natalie Kernisant is Morrison Foerster’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer.Natalie provides strategic leadership to advance recruiting and retention of 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>.

kernisant_natalie_blog_150x150.png

kernisant_natalie_common_640x280.jpg

kernisant_natalie_heroretina_2700x1160.jpg

kernisant_natalie_mobileretina_750x1040.jpg

kernisant_natalie_social_600x600.jpg

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.

fernandez_dorothy_blog_150x150.png

fernandez_dorothy_common_640x280.jpg

fernandez_dorothy_heroretina_2700x1160.jpg

fernandez_dorothy_mobileretina_750x1040.jpg

fernandez_dorothy_social_600x600.jpg

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.

williams_rachel_blog_150x150.png

williams_rachel_common_640x280.jpg

williams_rachel_heroretina_2700x1160.jpg

williams_rachel_mobileretina_750x1040.jpg

williams_rachel_social_600x600.jpg

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

favicon.ico

favicon-16x16.png

favicon-32x32.png

apple-touch-icon.png

MoFo Favicons

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

Welcome to the Mofo+ Blog

240920-mofo+-header.jpg

Welcome to the Mofo+ Blog

240920-mofo+-header

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

Welcome to the MoFo+ Blog

MoFo Women

MoFo Pro Bono

MoFo Life

MoFo Diversity

MoFo Community

Blog - Terms of Use

Blog - Privacy Policy

Blog - Blog Disclaimer

Blog - Attorney Advertising

morrison-foerster-blog-logo.png

Provides a data-driven look at the Federal Circuit.

Federal Circuitry

Brings together legal insights and in-depth analyses on trends and complex issues shaping the global technology industry.

MoFo Tech

Equips our clients with the most up-to-date and relevant information on employment and labor law issues.

Employment Law Commentary

In-depth analysis of developments and trends impacting government contracting.

Government Contracts Insight

Government Contracts Insights

Provides insights and reports on the most current class actions lawsuits and product liability issues that affect consumer-facing companies.

Class Dismissed Blog

Class Dismissed

The MoFo+ blog shares news and insights from lawyers who are adding value to the legal profession and making a difference in the communities we call home.

MoFo+

  Linkedin

MoFo LinkedIN

Together Blog - RSS

Stay Connected

Never miss a post from MoFo Together. Enter your email below to stay up-to-date.

Subscribe

Making a Positive Impact Together

Morrison Foerster - Footer

Blogs -  Home Button

Home

Blog - Topics

Topics

Blog - Editors

Editors

Blog - About

About

Blog - Subscribe

More

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

MoFo is proud of our LGBTQ+ lawyers and the contributions that they make to the firm and our communities every month of the year, but Pride Month is an especially exciting time for the firm as we come together to celebrate LGBTQ+ history, culture, and politics. During this month-long Q&A series, we’ll hear from a number of MoFo lawyers about what Pride Month means to them.With over 30 years of experience, London partner <a href="https://www.mofo.com/people/brian-bates.html">Brian Bates</a> is known as the go-to practitioner when it comes to issuer-side cross-border placement representation. His practice focuses on representing clients in a range of financial transactions, from private debt and equity placements to high yield offerings, bank finance products, and mezzanine and leveraged buyout financings. Brian recently spoke to us about his experience as a diverse lawyer and what Pride Month means to him.***What does Pride Month mean to you? How will you celebrate this year?To me, “Pride Month” reminds me of the great strides that the LGBTQ+ community has made since I was a young professional in the 1980s. Back then, we all lived in a rather constant state of fear of losing our jobs, our livelihood, our apartments, etc., if someone decided that they simply didn’t like us working with them.While we continue to have challenges, we do not experience that deep-seated fear that often wrecked lives and ruined reputations. Pride means respect and acceptance, not merely “tolerance” —one of my most despised words in the English language. I celebrate Pride Month every day of the year simply by being me and not letting others deter me from being the person that I am.If you could have dinner with any pioneer of LGBTQ+ rights, who would it be and why?I would have dinner with a gentleman called Joe Turek. Joe was a member of the IMPACT Illinois Board of Directors, a gay rights political action committee with whom I volunteered in Chicago in the 1990s. Joe was a generation older than me and had lost his job when an Arthur Andersen partner discovered he was gay. Joe went on to form his own accounting service, became independently wealthy and spent his time and resources fighting for human rights in Chicago. I would love to hear his thoughts on the LGBTQ+ issues of today.How, if at all, has being LGBTQ+ made you a better/different kind of lawyer?Particularly, as an LGBTQ+ partner, I have tried my best to constructively challenge my majority peers to not overlook the issues confronting LGBTQ+ lawyers and members of staff within the firm. At MoFo, we are fortune to have LGBTQ+ lawyers in prominent positions, so that we don’t get complacent or forget about the LGBTQ+ perspective when it comes to policy making, unconscious bias training, parental leave issues, as well as many other issues.***<a href="https://www.mofo.com/culture/diversity/">Learn more </a>about MoFo’s ongoing commitment to championing LGBTQ+ equality in the legal field and beyond.

mofotogether-mofoproud-thumb.jpg.jpg

MoFo Proud: Brian Bates

06_20_lgbtq_month-quotes_bates_li.jpg

With over 30 years of experience, London partner Brian Bates is known as the go-to practitioner when it comes to issuer-side cross-border placement representati

MoFo Proud: Brian Bates

In celebration of Pride Month, MoFo hosted an illuminating presentation by long-time LGBTQ+ rights activist and co-owner of the historic Stonewall Inn Stacy Lentz. On June 12, 2019, attendees in the firm’s New York office — and those watching via live-stream across the firm’s U.S. offices — listened in as Stacy spoke about the history of Stonewall, its impact on the push for LGBTQ+ rights, and its enduring influence as the struggle for those rights continues and evolves.The <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.history.com/topics/gay-rights/the-stonewall-riots">Stonewall riots of 1969</a> sparked the beginning of the long battle for gay liberation and LGBTQ+ rights in the United States. Fifty years after the riots, the fight for equal rights and protection for the LGBTQ+ community is far from over. As Stacy observed, “Just because we have marriage equality does not mean we have won.”Stacy moved from Kansas to New York City in 1994. Inspired by the history and significance of the Stonewall Inn uprising, she and her co-investors stepped up to <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://thestonewallinnnyc.com/">revitalize the Inn</a> after it had fallen into disrepair and once again make it a safe space for LGBTQ+ people.Realizing the importance of providing safe havens in places where equality has been slow to arrive, she co-founded The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative. The nonprofit’s mission is to eliminate social intolerance through awareness, education, and public dialogue. During the panel, Stacy spoke about how “visibility can change lives” and the importance of education both outside of and within the LGBTQ+ community. “If you don’t know your history, you can’t change your future,” she asserted.Stacy spoke about the need to create safer, more inclusive environments. She believes that corporations will benefit from more inclusive policies that focus on enhancing acceptance, attracting a diverse and creative talent pool, and getting involved in more authentic marketing strategies to support the LGBTQ+ community. Following her talk, Stacy opened the room for questions, leading to an engaging discussion between her, MoFo lawyers, and staff. In Stacy’s opinion, it is this type of open dialogue that is critical to continuing to drive LGBTQ+ awareness and tolerance.Learn more about the Stonewall Inn’s Give Back Initiative <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://stonewallinitiative.org/">here</a>.<img sizes="(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px" height="457" width="685" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/bltef1325e6e56342d4/6287fe578e88d660b6a12f95/img_0477-1024x683.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3858" loading="lazy" type="asset" sys-style-type="download"><img sizes="(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px" height="451" width="685" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blt712460a8497b00da/6287fe58b4fa6b61ed70b46b/img_0457-1024x674.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3857" loading="lazy" type="asset" sys-style-type="download"><img sizes="(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px" height="457" width="685" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blt38c53999111154f8/6287fe5cce671353d5081664/img_0458-1-1024x683.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3865" loading="lazy" type="asset" sys-style-type="download">

06_18_stonewall_thumbnail.jpg

MoFo Hosts a Conversation with Stonewall Inn’s Stacy Lentz

MoFo Hosts a Conversation with Stonewall Inn’s Stacy Lentz

06_18_generalbranded_stonewall-speaker_li.jpg

In celebration of Pride Month, MoFo hosted an illuminating presentation by long-time LGBTQ+ rights activist and co-owner of the historic Stonewall Inn Stacy Len

MoFo is proud of our LGBTQ+ lawyers and the contributions that they make to the firm and our communities every month of the year, but Pride Month is an especially exciting time for the firm as we come together to celebrate LGBTQ+ history, culture, and politics. During this month-long Q&A series, we’ll hear from a number of MoFo lawyers about what Pride Month means to them. Northern Virginia of counsel Sue Borschel has over 20 years of legal, operations, and comptroller experience working with private and military matrix organizations. Before joining MoFo, she worked for a major defense contractor, serving a number of intelligence, Department of Defense, and other government agency customers. Sue is also well-versed in complex, large scale real estate, infrastructure portfolio, and financing transactions. She recently spoke to us about her experience as a diverse lawyer and what Pride Month means to her.***If you could have dinner with any pioneer of LGBTQ+ rights, who would it be and why? I would want to have dinner with Barbara Gittings. Long before Stonewall, she was leading the charge toward equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community. Her work to change the American Psychiatric Association’s designation of homosexuality as a disorder is far more important than many realize. With that change, being different is no longer a disease that needs to be cured. I would want to ask her for advice on how to spread her work worldwide and extend her work to eradicate conversion therapy.How have you personally participated in advocating for the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights?I am an avid advocate for The Trevor Project. This organization provides crisis and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth and young adults. The suicide rate among this population has to be stopped. Nobody should feel so alone that they take this ultimate, irreversible step. We need to expand The Trevor Project’s reach to every school in America. We have to start early, and we cannot slow our progress in the face of resistance.How have you seen the legal industry shift in recent years with respect to LGBTQ+ inclusion?I am seeing more and more corporations and law firms opening their eyes and realizing that there are many benefits to being inclusive. Employees who remain closeted, fearing the impact that being out would have on their career, would be liberated. Once liberated, there is greater job satisfaction and more collaboration without the fear of being judged. The one area where I would like to see more effort in is with transgender lawyers. Transgender law school students are not all at Harvard or the other top schools. Companies and law firms need to reach out to transgender students wherever they are studying and embrace their potential.***<a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/culture/diversity/">Learn more </a>about MoFo’s ongoing commitment to championing LGBTQ+ equality in the legal field and beyond.

MoFo Proud: Sue Borschel

06_25_lgbtq_month-quotes_borschel_li.jpg

Northern Virginia of counsel Sue Borschel has over 20 years of legal, operations, and comptroller experience working with private and military matrix organizati

MoFo Proud: Sue Borschel

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>.

mofotogether-mattersthatmatter-thumb.jpg.jpg

Matters That Matter: June Pro Bono Roundup

Matters That Matter: July Pro Bono Roundup

06_24_generalbranded-monthly-pro-bono-roundup_li.jpg

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

MoFo is proud of our LGBTQ+ lawyers and the contributions that they make to the firm and our communities every month of the year, but Pride Month is an especially exciting time for the firm as we come together to celebrate LGBTQ+ history, culture, and politics. During this month-long Q&A series, we’ll hear from a number of MoFo lawyers about what Pride Month means to them. <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/people/john-smith.html">John Smith</a> is co-head of Morrison & Foerster’s National Security practice, and a member of the Crisis Management Group and Investigations + White Collar Defense Group. Prior to joining the firm in July 2018, John served as Director of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), where he played a central role in developing, implementing, and enforcing U.S. government sanctions requirements. His inherent knowledge of economic sanctions, enforcement, and national security brings unmatched value to his clients and to the firm. He recently spoke to us about his experience as a diverse lawyer and what Pride Month means to him.***What does Pride Month mean to you? How will you celebrate this year?For me, Pride Month is both a solemn and joyous occasion. On one hand, it is a time to honor the strides that we in the LGBTQ+ community have made over the years and to recognize the very long road we still have ahead. On the other hand, it is a time to celebrate the freedoms that we have gained in recent decades. I often recall the introverted, ashamed, and terrified Southern Baptist Midwestern boy that I was — a boy who could not even conceive of an “out” lifestyle — and marvel at the profound societal changes that have occurred in my lifetime. I will celebrate this year privately with my partner and our friends and publicly by taking part in a MoFo co-sponsored seminar in Tokyo, where I will discuss my experience as an LGBTQ+ official heading OFAC, the U.S. government’s economy sanctions agency.If you could have dinner with any pioneer of LGBTQ+ rights, who would it be and why?I’d dine with Frank Kameny who, like me, was a gay man who wanted to serve in the U.S. government. Following his military service in World War II, Kameny began a U.S. government civil service job in Washington, D.C. in the 1950s, but he was fired from that position simply because he was gay and, unlike most closeted men of his generation, he sued, taking the case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Although he lost, he and a friend later went on to form the Mattachine Society of Washington, D.C., with the mission of advancing protections for LGBTQ+ persons in the U.S. government, so that only a few decades later people like me could have a long and rewarding career serving the United States.What words of wisdom do you have for the next generation of aspiring LGBTQ+ lawyers?My advice would simply be, “Be out and proud.” Throughout my career with the U.S. government, the United Nations, and now MoFo, I have been inspired by LGBTQ+ role models who have blazed so many pathways before me; pathways that I aim to continue treading. Younger lawyers and professionals frequently seek my career advice and guidance, likely due to a perceived lack of LGBTQ+ leaders in management and other roles in many organizations. I’ve found that by being open about who you are and speaking your mind about potential opportunities and obstacles can not only make you a better leader, but a valuable resource for the next generation of LGBTQ+ lawyers.***<a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/culture/diversity/">Learn more </a>about MoFo’s ongoing commitment to championing LGBTQ+ equality in the legal field and beyond.

MoFo Proud: John Smith

06_19_lgbtq_month-quotes_smith_li.jpg

John Smith is co-head of Morrison & Foerster’s National Security practice, and a member of the Crisis Management Group and Investigations + White 

John Smith is co-head of Morrison & Foerster’s National Security practice, and a member of the Global Risk + Crisis Management Group and Investigations + White 

MoFo Proud: John Smith

On June 6, 2019, MoFo’s San Francisco office welcomed over 30 legal professionals and corporate senior leaders to Out Leadership’s Board Fit Workshop. Since 2014, MoFo has been a member of Out Leadership, a global LGBTQ+ business network dedicated to helping leaders and organizations realize economic growth and talent dividends derived from inclusive business.This is the second year in a row the firm has hosted an Out Leadership Quorum event, which provide programming and advisory services to increase LGBTQ+ representation in boardrooms. This year’s Quorum workshop provided “A Window into the Work of the Board.” The panel discussions centered on how boards of privately and publicly owned companies differ and how those differences affect hiring decisions and corporate governance.Partner and co-chair of MoFo’s Social Enterprise and Impact Investing Group <a href="https://www.mofo.com/people/alfredo-b-d-silva.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Fredo Silva</a> kicked off the program with a few opening remarks and also provided some insights during the “What Boards Look For” panel. Among other things, he pointed out that companies have changed the way that they list their board membership in their financial statements, making it easier to identify places where a board lacks someone with a particular skill or background. Diverse board candidates can take advantage of these charts by marketing themselves to companies that are missing traits they may have.Other members of the panel included Boardspan CEO and founder Abby Adlerman, and TPG partner and global head of human capital Ben Holzemer. The panel was moderated by KPMG Board Leadership Center senior advisor Susan Angele.Additional panels included:<ul><li>Non-profit Board Leadership</li><li>Voices of Experienced Directors, followed by a Q&A</li></ul>There was also a Board Positioning Workshop at the end of the day for participants to talk about their own profiles and get advice about how best to position themselves to join corporate boards. The event closed with a networking reception.<a href="https://outleadership.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Out Leadership</a> has three cross-industry talent accelerator programs designed inspire Out Leaders and multinational companies to grow business through inclusion: OutNEXT, OutWOMEN, and Quorum.Learn more about MoFo’s commitment to <a href="https://careers.mofo.com/careers-diversity" target="_self" rel="noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">diverse professional development</a>.<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-3838 size-large" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blt8040cc893ce042c3/6287fe603b65ce548fba0ec9/dsc07258-1024x683.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" width="685" height="457" sizes="(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px" type="asset" sys-style-type="download"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-3839 size-large" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blt6244cee1dc3f5dfa/6287fe606f81705517a1c9e3/dsc07270-1024x782.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" width="685" height="523" sizes="(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px" type="asset" sys-style-type="download"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-3840 size-large" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blt0db376f6ad23b98a/6287fe65b4fa6b61ed70b46f/img_6025-1024x683.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" width="685" height="457" sizes="(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px" type="asset" sys-style-type="download">

06_18_dsc07254_li.jpg

MoFo San Francisco Hosts Out Leadership’s Board Fit Workshop

MoFo San Francisco Hosts Out Leadership’s Board Fit Workshop

On June 6, 2019, MoFo’s San Francisco office welcomed over 30 legal professionals and corporate senior leaders to Out Leadership’s Board Fit Workshop. Since 201

MoFo is proud of our LGBTQ+ lawyers and the contributions that they make to the firm and our communities every month of the year, but Pride Month is an especially exciting time for the firm as we come together to celebrate LGBTQ+ history, culture, and politics. During this month-long Q&A series, we’ll hear from a number of MoFo lawyers about what Pride Month means to them.San Francisco litigation associate Sarah Davis is as fierce when it comes to defending consumer class actions and regulatory actions as she is advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and marriage equality. Her practice focuses on financial services and consumer litigation, and she also maintains an active pro bono practice. She recently spoke to us about her experience as a diverse lawyer and what Pride Month means to her.***What does Pride Month mean to you? How will you celebrate this year?Pride Month is always a special time of year. Even after living in the Bay Area for over 30 years, I still get a little teary eyed when I see the rainbow flags lining Market Street. For me, this month has always been about a celebration of identity and community. It is also about coming together to reflect on and honor those who came before us and paved the way to our celebration. There is also still much to be done for LGBTQ+ equality. As such, Pride Month is also a time of reflection about what else we can do to support the movement. This year, my girlfriend and I will celebrate Pride by gathering with our community and donating to several LGBTQ+ organizations.How, if at all, has being LGBTQ+ made you a better or different kind of lawyer?I do not think being a lesbian has necessarily made me a better or different lawyer. I do, however, think that being out and present makes a big difference in a law firm community. We are very lucky here at MoFo to have firm leadership who are extremely supportive, and we have many LGBTQ+ lawyers and staff, but maintaining that support and visibility is critical to sustaining that atmosphere.As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising and a half-century of LGBTQ+ liberation, does this Pride Month hold a special meaning to you?Fifty years is a big milestone and, of course, something to honor. I do not, however, think it is synonymous with 50 years of liberation. There are still a lot of forces looking to dismantle the rights LGBTQ+ people have gained over the last decade. For example, conversion therapy is still legal in a majority of states, and violence against LGBTQ+, especially transgendered, people is still prevalent. If anything, the 50th anniversary should serve as a reminder that sometimes we have to fight for true liberation.***<a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/culture/diversity/">Learn more </a>about MoFo’s ongoing commitment to championing LGBTQ+ equality in the legal field and beyond.

MoFo Proud: Sarah Davis

06_18_lgbtq_month-quotes_davis_li.jpg

San Francisco litigation associate Sarah Davis is as fierce when it comes to defending consumer class actions and regulatory actions as she is advocating for LG

MoFo Proud: Sarah Davis

MoFo is proud of our LGBTQ+ lawyers and the contributions that they make to the firm and our communities every month of the year, but Pride Month is an especially exciting time for the firm as we come together to celebrate LGBTQ+ history, culture, and politics. During this month-long Q&A series, we’ll hear from a number of MoFo lawyers about what Pride Month means to them. Los Angeles associate Adam Brauner has extensive experience across all phases of litigation covering a broad range of employment law issues. His practice particularly focuses on defending small businesses, government entities, and multinational corporations in complex class actions and wage-and-hour disputes. He recently spoke to us about his experience as a diverse lawyer and what Pride Month means to him.***How have you personally participated in advocating for the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights?For me, giving back is so important and is, without a doubt, the best way to honor the courage and sacrifice of those who came before me and blazed the trail. I have been privileged to participate in and work with local and national LGBTQ+ organizations, including the National LGBT Bar Association, the Orange County Lavender Bar Association, Out Leadership, and Lambda Legal, as well as working with local pro bono organizations in helping to support our community. I have also enjoyed mentoring younger lawyers and law students.In my pro bono practice, to the extent possible, I try to work with LGBTQ+ clients. One of my most memorable representations was preventing the deportation of a gay HIV+ client to his home country, where he would have been unable to obtain life-saving medication. More recently, I worked with an L.A.-based pro bono clinic that provides name and gender-marker change services. Getting involved in leadership and service opportunities within our community has been the highlight of my professional career and I cannot recommend it highly enough.How, if at all, has being LGBTQ+ made you a better/different kind of lawyer?Being able to bring my whole self to work allows me to build relationships and connections that are more meaningful and more durable with both clients and colleagues. It also allows me to bring my whole heart and dedication to my work. I can connect my experience growing up gay to the experience we all face, at least to some degree, of the struggle to find acceptance in our families, communities, and professions.Who has been your biggest role model in the LGBTQ+ movement?RuPaul. He is the embodiment of authenticity, hustle, and positivity. Throughout his life, he has always been able to maintain a sense of humor in the face of adversity, and always preaches a message of love and acceptance. Long live the Qween!***<a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/culture/diversity/">Learn more </a>about MoFo’s ongoing commitment to championing LGBTQ+ equality in the legal field and beyond.

MoFo Proud: Adam Brauner

06_13_lgbtq_month-quotes_brauner_li.jpg

Los Angeles associate Adam Brauner has extensive experience across all phases of litigation covering a broad range of employment law issues. His practice partic

MoFo Proud: Adam Brauner

MoFo’s newest class of summer Wetmore Fellows were welcomed to the firm with a kickoff event in our New York office on May 17. The annual kickoff is designed to provide each new class of Fellows with an opportunity to get oriented with each other and the returning Fellows, learn more about some of the firm’s practice groups, and receive strategic advice from current MoFo lawyers.This year’s agenda included a variety of panel discussions, workshops, and onboarding sessions. In addition to a welcome breakfast, lunch with managing partner Craig Martin, and a coffee networking break, the Fellows listened in as MoFo lawyers provided helpful advice on how to succeed as an associate and what it’s like to be a lawyer in our Corporate, Finance, and Litigation Departments.Sessions included:“Succeeding as an Associate”: Janet Herman – director of attorney recruitment and women’s initiatives (moderator); Christina Golden Ademola – NY litigation associate; Robert Webb – SF litigation associate; Mia Akers – LA litigation associate; Jeff Xu – NY finance associate“Let’s Make a Deal”: Dario de Martino – NY corporate partner (moderator); Chris Delson – NY finance partner and NY office hiring partner; Ori Solomon – Boston corporate partner and Boston office hiring partner; Tushna Gamadia – NY finance of counsel; Joan Kim – NY corporate associate“Pitfalls and Communication”: Nicole Weber – Great on the Job executive MBA/financial services coach and lead trainer“Around the Firm in Three Practices: SLEW, IP, Litigation & TTG”: Amanda Aikman   – NY litigation partner; Jerry Gomez – NY litigation associate; Eric Lin – NY litigation associate; Brianna Liang Velasco – SF TTG associateIn the first panel of the day, litigation associate and former Wetmore Fellow Mia Akers discussed how having a support network, learning to voice her thoughts, and focusing on the positives helped her cure the “imposter syndrome” she felt as a diverse attorney. Fellow litigation associate Christina Golden Ademola echoed Mia’s advice, stating that “it’s inevitable that you are going to be in a room full of people that don’t look like you. But, they also don’t think like you or have your background. That’s why it’s important that you find your voice early and speak up. It’s also something that MoFo expects and encourages.”During the “Let’s Make a Deal” panel, MoFo lawyers representing our transactional practices spoke about choosing their practice areas, the skills needed for transactional law, and the importance of building relationships. New York corporate associate Joan Kim advised that “when it comes to figuring out the practice area you want to focus on, try out a large variety of projects. You’ll know you’ve found the practice area for you when you look forward to working on specific types of projects over others. For me, that was transactional work.”Now in its seventh year, the Keith Wetmore 1L Fellowship for Excellence, Diversity, and Inclusion recognizes and supports the career advancement of highly motivated first-year law students who are members of historically underrepresented groups in the legal industry.This year’s incoming summer associate class includes 10 first-year law students — along with seven returning 2L Fellows — from the top law schools in the country, and is one of the most diverse yet. Over half are women and over 40 percent are students of color.They will join our Los Angeles, New York, Palo Alto, and San Francisco offices for the summer program, which runs from May 20 through July 26, 2019. Over the course of the program, the Fellows will have the chance to participate in a number of diversity events, such as the upcoming D+I Spectrum Speaker Series presentation “Bias in Artificial Intelligence,” featuring Coinbase associate general counsel and MoFo alumnus Matthew Ahn.As part of the summer associate program’s regional training, the Fellows will also attend Unconscious Bias training, and a “Spotlight on D+I” program, in which they will have the opportunity to engage in an activity and discussion around the Firm’s D+I programs and initaitives. Along with paid summer associate positions, the incoming Fellows receive ongoing mentoring and a Fellowship stipend. Fellows will also meet regularly with the D+I team throughout the summerThe fellowship program was established in 2012 in honor of MoFo chair emeritus Keith Wetmore, who dedicated much of his time to increasing diversity and inclusion within the firm and throughout the legal profession. Our 2019 Fellowship class brings the number of fellowships awarded since its founding to 67.<img sizes="(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px" height="457" width="685" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blt52007e4c6d0860c6/6287fe680457495358474e0d/img_0368-1024x683.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3805" loading="lazy" type="asset" sys-style-type="download">NY finance associate Jeff Xu gives a few key pointers in “How to Succeed as an Associate” alongside Christina Golden Ademola, Janet Herman Stone, Robert Webb, and Mia Akers.<img sizes="(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px" height="457" width="685" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blt91a69c59224e5874/6287fe68ce671353d5081668/img_0361-1024x683.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3806" loading="lazy" type="asset" sys-style-type="download">The Fellows listen in and get some helpful advice on starting and growing their careers in the legal field.<img sizes="(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px" height="457" width="685" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/bltac070f276a14f67b/6287fe69dcc93261eccafe5e/img_0386-1024x683.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3807" loading="lazy" type="asset" sys-style-type="download">During the “Let’s Make a Deal Panel,” lawyers from our transactional practices talked about why they choose their practice areas and what led them to MoFo.<img sizes="(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px" height="457" width="685" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blt161c8873bfebae8f/6287fe693b65ce548fba0ed1/img_0364-1024x683.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3810" loading="lazy" type="asset" sys-style-type="download">The Fellows were given the opportunity to ask MoFo lawyers about several topics, such as choosing a practice area.<img sizes="(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px" height="457" width="685" src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blt42362db7c0e75c7f/6287fe6d8e88d660b6a12f9d/img_0394-1024x683.jpg?format=auto&quality=60" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3811" loading="lazy" type="asset" sys-style-type="download">Pictured left to right – Jolene Desruisseaux (returning 2L), Meredith Angueira (returning 2L), Adam Smith, Catherine “Cat” Guerrier, Amanda Sadra, Michael Andrews, Yvana Bustamante, Daniela Serna, Samuel Ison, Tumise Asebiomo, Emanuel “Manny” Perez, and Marielle Greenblatt

06_01_wetmore_thumbnail.jpg

Welcoming the 2019 Wetmore Fellows

05_29_generalbranded-wetmore_fellowship_li.jpg

MoFo’s newest class of summer Wetmore Fellows were welcomed to the firm with a kickoff event in our New York office on May 17. The annual kickoff is designed to

Welcoming the 2019 Wetmore Fellows

MoFo is proud of our LGBTQ+ lawyers and the contributions that they make to the firm and our communities every month of the year, but Pride Month is an especially exciting time for the firm as we come together to celebrate LGBTQ+ history, culture, and politics. During this month-long Q&A series, we’ll hear from a number of MoFo lawyers about what Pride Month means to them. San Francisco partner Michael Steel is recognized as one of California’s top environmental lawyers. His practice focuses on regulatory compliance issues, crisis management, dispute resolution, and litigation spanning a wide range of environmental disciplines. He recently spoke to us about his experience as a diverse lawyer and what Pride Month means to him.***If you could have dinner with any pioneer of LGBTQ+ rights, who would it be and why?I would love to have dinner with Oscar Wilde, because he was brilliant and successful, despite being put on trial for his sexual orientation and being ultimately destroyed by 19th century attitudes towards homosexuality. Even in the climate of his time, he did not seem to recognize the danger of living as a gay man. I’d be fascinated to hear what he would think of our world today—how far we’ve come, and how far we have to go.How, if at all, has being LGBTQ+ made you a better/different kind of lawyer?I think that being a minority—and at times discriminated against—has taught me compassion for those who struggle for equality, and perhaps more compassion in general. Now, you might ask: how does compassion make you a better lawyer? My answer is that often our opponents and clients are driven not just by logic, but by some imperative they find within themselves—insecurity, aggression, envy, etc. Being able to recognize these drivers helps when dealing with people from different backgrounds.How have you seen the legal industry shift in recent years with respect to LGBTQ+ inclusion?While LGBTQ+ bias continues to be widely accepted in general society, in sophisticated businesses (including Big Law), such bias is now politically incorrect and socially unacceptable. In many cases, however, this simply means that the bias has gone underground. I am proud that MoFo has always been well ahead of its time in its openness and acceptance of people of all kinds.***<a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.mofo.com/culture/diversity/">Learn more </a>about MoFo’s ongoing commitment to championing LGBTQ+ equality in the legal field and beyond.

MoFo Proud: Michael Steel

06_01_lgbtq_month-quotes_steel_li.jpg

San Francisco partner Michael Steel is recognized as one of California’s top environmental lawyers. His practice focuses on regulatory compliance issues, crisis