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

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>.

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Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer

Natalie Kernisant is Morrison Foerster’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer.

Natalie Kernisant provides strategic leadership to advance recruiting and retention of diverse talent at Morrison Foerster, as well as providing client development support in the area of diversity and inclusion.

Natalie Kernisant

Dorothy L. Fernandez is Pro Bono Counsel based in the Denver office of Morrison & Foerster LLP. She is responsible for managing and promoting the participation of lawyers in the firm’s extensive pro bono program which includes, among other things, providing free legal services to low-income individuals, advising nonprofit organizations and assisting in other matters that serve the public interest. Dorothy’s primary focus is on working with lawyers in the firm’s Austin, Los Angeles, San Diego, Denver and Tokyo offices.In 1999, Dorothy joined Morrison & Foerster as an associate in the Securities Litigation, Enforcement and White-Collar Criminal Defense Group. She was elected a partner of the firm in 2004. Dorothy handled complex litigation at the state, federal and appellate levels and was responsible for drafting key dispositive motions in some of the firm’s largest securities litigation matters. In addition, she had an active pro bono practice and represented clients in individual matters, as well as cases addressing the treatment of children in foster care and the rights of LGBT individuals.A dedicated advocate for the LGBT community, Dorothy has served as co-chair of the board of directors of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and she also served on the board of the Pride Law Fund, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to law students working on issues related to the equal rights of LGBT citizens and people living with HIV/AIDS.Dorothy currently serves on the board of directors of Centro Legal de la Raza, a nonprofit based in Oakland.Dorothy graduated from Stanford University in 1992 with a B.A. in psychology. She earned a J.D. in 1996 from Harvard Law School, where she was a member of the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review and co-chair of HLS Lambda. She has taught as an adjunct instructor at both Golden Gate University Law School and Santa Clara University Law School.

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Pro Bono Counsel

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

Dorothy L. Fernandez

Rachel Williams is pro bono counsel based in Morrison & Foerster’s San Francisco office. She is responsible for managing and promoting the participation of lawyers in the firm’s extensive program of providing free legal services to low-income individuals, to nonprofit organizations, and in matters that serve the public interest. Rachel works primarily with lawyers in the firm’s San Francisco, Palo Alto, London, Berlin, and Brussels offices. She is an active member of the Disaster Legal Assistance Collaborative and the board of directors of OneJustice. Rachel joined the firm in 1999. Prior to becoming a pro bono counsel, Rachel was a litigation associate in the firm’s Palo Alto office and worked on attorney training and development initiatives. Before law school, Rachel worked for various nonprofit organizations, was an investigator for the public defender’s office in Seattle, and served as a Coro Public Affairs Fellow in New York City.

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Rachel is responsible for managing and promoting the participation of lawyers in the firm’s extensive program of providing free legal services to low-income individuals, to nonprofit organizations, and in matters that serve the public interest.

Rachel P. Williams

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

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

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MoFo Wins Asylum for Cameroonian Political Refugee

MoFo Sponsors the 2024 NAPABA Convention

Navigating Justice and Disability: A Conversation with Judge David Tatel

The MoFo Foundation Supports Pro Bono Partners

MoFo Sponsors the Black Counsel Forum 2024

Editor’s note: Read about transactions associate Melinda Gilani, who participated in the 2023 MoFoundations Program in our San Francisco office, in this installment of our MoFo Stories series.Joining MoFo marks the beginning of an exciting chapter in my career, and I’m grateful to MoFoundations for equipping me with the practical skills and consistent guidance to thrive as a transactional associate.While law school built a strong theoretical foundation, MoFoundations equipped me with the practical skills to succeed as a transactional associate. MoFoundations took a deeper dive into contract drafting, review techniques, and due diligence, so I can hit the ground running in my first year of practice. The training program introduced essential due diligence skills, including identifying key issues and red flags. This knowledge empowers me to ask strategic questions and deliver effective client service.Yet, MoFoundations went beyond teaching the anatomy of an agreement and other legal intricacies in transactional work; it honed my skills within a supportive framework. The firm’s culture of teamwork, collaboration, and mentorship was immediately evident. Patient guidance from associates coupled with the camaraderie among my peers fostered a community that encouraged and uplifted one another. Any concern was met with genuine empathy and addressed with clear solutions, which created a sense of security and confidence. As I begin my career, I know I can rely on this community to help me overcome new challenges with resilience.MoFo’s culture reflects its dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion. I joined knowing my background would be embraced in a community where everyone can reach their full potential. MoFo actively fosters an environment where unique perspectives are celebrated and respected, and this commitment was apparent during MoFoundations. An unconscious bias training raised awareness of implicit biases and provided valuable tools to navigate them. Additionally, a DiSC assessment provided insights into our individual communication styles, followed by inclusive, small group discussions where every voice was heard and valued.My biggest takeaway from MoFoundations is the perfect alignment between its dedication to professional development and its core values of excellence and inclusivity. This ensures that everyone has the tools and resources to thrive. With the valuable lessons from training in my toolkit, I look forward to the challenges and triumphs that await me as I begin my career at MoFo.

MoFoundations MoFo Story: Melinda Gilani

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Associate

Melinda is a corporate associate in Morrison Foerster’s San Francisco office.

Melinda Gilani

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MoFoundations MoFo Story: Melinda Gilani

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Joining MoFo marks the beginning of an exciting chapter in my career, and I’m grateful to MoFoundations for equipping me with the practical skills and consistent guidance to thrive as a transactional associate.

The transition to the role of first-year associate is a significant step in a lawyer’s career. To facilitate this transition, our Attorney Learning & Development Group has developed MoFoundations, a curriculum tailored specifically for recent law school graduates and judicial clerks. MoFoundations is designed to equip new associates with the necessary skills and knowledge to kickstart their legal careers. It also provides opportunities for new associates to integrate into and engage with the MoFo community through educational presentations, experiential workshops, expert panels, asynchronous work, and collaborative exercises.MoFoundations aims to:<ul dir="ltr"><li>Develop the foundational practice and professional skills needed to succeed as a first-year associate at MoFo;</li><li>Introduce new associates to MoFo’s structure, innovative and collaborative culture, and shared values through community, pro bono, and diversity, equity, and inclusion; and</li><li dir="ltr">Provide opportunities for networking and relationship-building with peers, other associates, partners, and business professionals.</li></ul>“Before MoFoundations, I was intimidated about having to figure everything out on my own. Going through the trainings taught me about all of our departments and encouraged me to feel comfortable asking for help,” said Regina Campbell, Los Angeles Litigation Law Clerk.MoFoundations is aligned with MyMoFo, our framework for associate success, which outlines performance expectations for attorneys at all levels. The MoFoundations syllabus outlines learning objectives for each training session, helping associates understand how each program contributes to their overall career development. MyMoFo empowers associates to take ownership of their careers by providing transparent performance expectations.As Keniece Gray, Washington, D.C. associate, said, “Attending MoFoundations reaffirmed that firm leadership is committed to providing its attorneys with resources we need to effectively do our jobs and equipped me with fundamental tools to effectively utilize firm resources.”Several associates have shared their MoFoundations experiences, discussing topics such as professional development, community, and mentorship. Read their MoFo stories:<ul dir="ltr"><li><a href="https://together.mofo.com/topics/mofoundations-mofo-story-mark-donovan" target="_self">Mark Donovan</a></li><li><a href="https://together.mofo.com/topics/mofoundations-mofo-story-melinda-gilani" target="_self">Melinda Gilani</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://together.mofo.com/topics/mofoundations-mofo-story-keniece-gray" target="_self">Keniece Gray</a></li></ul>To learn more about MoFoundations and MoFo’s innovative approach to attorney learning and development, visit the <a href="https://careers.mofo.com/careers-training" target="_blank">Training + Mentoring website</a>, or contact <a href="mailto:cmizer@mofo.com">Christie Mizer</a>, Associate Director of Attorney Coaching & Career Development.

MoFoundations: Paving the Way to Success

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Mark is a finance associate in Morrison Foerster’s Boston office.

Mark Francis Donovan

Mark Donovan

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Keniece Gray is an associate in the Litigation Department of Morrison Foerster’s Washington, D.C. office.

Keniece Y. Gray

Keniece Gray

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MoFoundations: Paving the Way to Success

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The transition to the role of first-year associate is a significant step in a lawyer’s career. 

Editor’s note: Read about litigation associate Keniece Gray, who participated in the 2023 MoFoundations Program in our Washington, D.C. office, in this installment of our MoFo Stories series.My MoFo journey began in fall 2020 and has been a demonstration of mutual commitment to mentorship and professional development since. Initially, my positive interactions with MoFo attorneys and interns during my 2020 SEO Law Fellowship encouraged me to seek out the opportunity to work at MoFo in pursuit of my goal to receive exceptional legal training and promote DEI in the legal profession. My pleasant experience with the MoFo team during the 1L recruitment season solidified my interest in the firm. I appreciated the constant updates from the recruitment team and MoFo attorneys being accessible for informational interviews and willing to provide support during the process. Also, at the time of 1L recruitment, I had a keen interest in labor and employment law, and the D.C. office had recently begun further building an Employment & Labor Group, and I appreciated the idea of being a part of a growing practice.My experiences at MoFo over the past three years have instilled confidence that working at the firm provides an opportunity for me to take ownership of my career, build an impactful legal practice, continue contributing to the progression of inclusivity in the legal profession, receive training and support from attorneys who are among the best in their field, and be connected to an influential alumni network.My first summer associateship at MoFo established a solid foundation for success to build on and put a spotlight on the firm’s value for mentorship and feedback. I met a diverse group of attorneys through completing substantive legal assignments covering a myriad of matter topics, including labor and employment and education—two of my primary legal interest areas. The firm welcomed my curiosity about legal matters and inquisitiveness about DEI progression. I co-authored blog posts with former SCOTUS clerks and completed impactful pro bono work that involved co-drafting a public response to OMB comment request for methods to advance federal workforce diversity and speaking on the firm’s Intentional Impact podcast series. By the end of my first summer associateship, I received informal and formal mentorship from attorneys at every level of practice, including the firm chair, D.C. office leadership, and junior and senior associates across the firm.My clerkship and second summer associateship at the firm provided the opportunity to work directly with attorneys and clients on litigation and transactional matters in preparation for matriculation as a first year. Through work assignments and client interactions, I gained exposure to the breadth and depth of work in my practice areas of interest and appreciated the way the teams I worked with considered my input.Current MoFo attorneys and alumni have continuously displayed an eagerness to support my development as a law student and continue to do so in my tenure as an associate. For example, during law school, my partner mentors advised me on classes to take and experiential learning to pursue to enrich my legal skillset. During the 3L year, I was invited to stay connected with MoFo colleagues by attending local office events and conferences, including the ABA’s Labor and Employment conference. I also was fortunate to meet U.S. Supreme Court Justice and MoFo alumna Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and was elated to receive her encouragement to do well at MoFo and finish law school strong.Since becoming an associate in November 2023, the MoFo attorneys and staff I work with most closely have invested in my development by supporting my learning, engaging in the feedback process, and collaboratively planning for success in a way that incorporates my experiences at the firm and beyond. I appreciate the culture of support and encouragement for career ownership that I’ve experienced thus far. Attending MoFoundations reaffirmed that firm leadership is committed to providing its attorneys with resources we need to effectively do our jobs and equipped me with fundamental tools to effectively utilize firm resources. Resourcefulness is an essential skill. One of our responsibilities as attorneys is to find solutions to complex issues for our clients, and to do that we have to be able to decipher how to figure things out. When computing how to get things done, there are two factors that must be in the equation: a resourceful mentality and resource availability. The best attorneys know how to leverage both factors to serve clients. MoFoundations introduced our class to the abundant resources the firm supplies its attorneys to promote progress in our professional and personal lives. More importantly, MoFoundations provided a great reminder that people at MoFo enjoy helping each other deliver great client service, which increases my comfortability with asking questions.As I begin my legal career, I am looking forward to optimizing opportunities to sharpen my ability to be an effective legal advocate, building a practice that yields impact in various sectors, doing pro bono work, learning from my colleagues and mentors, and leveraging my experiences to create a more inclusive legal profession.I understand that my career is a marathon rather than a sprint. Every assignment, every workshop, every event along the journey presents a learning opportunity, and I plan to approach my career with a growth mindset to make the most of the opportunities. I am eager to see what the future holds and even more excited to be attentive to the process.

MoFoundations MoFo Story: Keniece Gray

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MoFoundations MoFo Story: Keniece Gray

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My MoFo journey began in fall 2020 and has been a demonstration of mutual commitment to mentorship and professional development since.

February is Black History Month, and MoFo is proud to celebrate the many contributions made by members of our Black communities throughout history, while also acknowledging and raising awareness about the deep socio-economic inequities that persist for Black people in the United States today.Fostering a firm culture that respects and celebrates our differences as strengths is one of MoFo’s core values, and we believe that honoring Black History Month provides everyone with an opportunity to further embrace and appreciate the rich diversity of the communities in which we work and live, and promotes greater inclusivity for all.Throughout the month, we will share stories about influential figures who have played pivotal roles in shaping history and experiences of our Black lawyers across various social media accounts and on our <a href="https://together.mofo.com/" target="_self" dir="ltr">MoFo+ Blog</a>, including:<ul><li>Events, both in-person and virtual, including educational events and celebrations</li><li>Profiles highlighting MoFo’s Black partners and associates, on our MoFo+ Blog and in the firm’s social media posts</li></ul>On Tuesday, February 20, 2024, we are thrilled to welcome Anita Hill, Brandeis University Professor of Law, Social Policy & Women’s and Gender Studies, and advocate for equality and civil rights. MoFo partner <a href="https://www.mofo.com/people/val-dahiya" target="_blank" dir="ltr">Val Dahiya</a> will moderate a discussion about pivotal issues at the intersection of law, equity, and civil rights.<a href="https://www2.mofo.com/l/323401/2023-04-14/8vvqc" target="_blank" dir="ltr">Join</a> our mailing list and receive the latest on diversity and inclusion at MoFo, including news and invitations to our virtual and in-person events.In honor of Black History Month this year, the MoFo Foundation is donating to a variety of non-profit organizations dedicated to supporting Black communities, including:<ul class="li-text-orange"><li class="li-text-orange" dir="ltr">$5,000 <a href="https://www.naacpldf.org/" target="_blank" dir="ltr">Legal Defense Fund</a></li><li class="li-text-orange" dir="ltr">$5,000 <a href="https://uncf.org/local-offices" target="_blank" dir="ltr">UNCF</a></li><li class="li-text-orange" dir="ltr">$5,000 <a href="https://www.wearebgc.org/" target="_blank" dir="ltr">Black Girls Code</a></li><li class="li-text-orange" dir="ltr">$5,000 <a href="https://blackmamasmatter.org/" target="_blank" dir="ltr">Black Mamas Matter Alliance</a></li></ul>Please join us in celebrating Black History Month as we continue to advance diversity and inclusion at MoFo. To learn more about diversity at MoFo, please visit our <a href="https://www.mofo.com/culture/diversity" target="_blank">diversity page</a> on MoFo.com.

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February is Black History Month, and MoFo is proud to celebrate the many contributions made by members of our Black communities throughout history, while also acknowledging and raising awareness about the deep socio-economic inequities that persist for Black people in the United States today.

MoFo Celebrates Black History Month

During February, we celebrate Black History Month and honor the many contributions made by members of our Black communities throughout history, while also acknowledging and raising awareness about the deeply inequitable treatment of Black people in the United States. The theme this year is African Americans and the Arts, which celebrates the many impacts Black Americans have had on visual arts, music, cultural movements, and more.In recognition of Black History Month, we honor Val Dahiya, a partner in our Washington, D.C. office and member of the Capital Markets and Broker-Dealer Compliance + Regulation Practice Groups.Val has nearly two decades of experience across securities and financial services regulation and compliance of broker-dealers, clearing agencies, securities exchanges, and transfer agents, both in private practice and prominent government agency roles. She is a member of the Nasdaq Exchange Review Council for each of Nasdaq’s six exchanges.Prior to joining Morrison Foerster, Val chaired the securities trading and markets practice and served as office managing partner at another international law firm. Before that, she served as the Washington, D.C. branch chief in the Office of Trading Practices in the Division of Trading and Markets at the United States Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), where she provided analysis and recommendations on complex legal and policy issues related to the securities industry, including the application of Exchange Act rules and regulations to emerging areas such as cryptocurrencies and digital assets. Val’s counsel was essential in shaping SEC policies and ensuring their consistent application across the evolving financial landscape.Prior to her tenure at the SEC, Val worked at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) (formerly NASD), where she conducted reviews of broker-dealer activities, identified violations of relevant regulations, and made disciplinary recommendations. Her work at FINRA involved analyzing trading activity for irregularities and patterns indicating violative conduct.Val has received numerous industry recognitions, including being named by DCA Live! as one of the Emerging Women Leaders in Law and receiving the SEC’s Shannon D. Ayers Examination Award of Excellence, as well as the SEC’s Law and Policy Award and the Chairman’s Award for Excellence.<a href="https://www.mofo.com/culture/diversity" target="_blank">Learn more</a> about MoFo’s Diversity Strategy Committee and our commitment to advancing diverse lawyers.

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Partner

Val Dahiya is a partner in the firm’s Capital Markets and Broker-Dealer Compliance + Regulation practice groups.

Val Dahiya

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During February, we celebrate Black History Month and honor the many contributions made by members of our Black communities throughout history, while also acknowledging and raising awareness about the deeply inequitable treatment of Black people in the United States. 

Partner Spotlight: Val Dahiya

We continue our celebration of National Mentoring Month by focusing on MoFo’s sponsorship efforts. Sponsorship is a step beyond mentorship, occurring when a partner takes on the responsibility of promoting the career advancement of a high-performing associate (i.e., their protégé). Sponsors leverage their own influence, power, relationships, and reputation to support the advancement of their protégé.We invite you to learn about <a href="https://www.mofo.com/mofo-navigate" target="_blank">MoFo Navigate</a>, a global initiative that unified the firm’s formal mentoring sponsorship programs. Through MoFo Navigate, we aim to provide attorneys with the right kind of support at the right points in their careers and to promote greater inclusion. Overseen by the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion (D+I) Group, MoFo Navigate helps participants develop more effective mentoring and sponsoring relationships across difference.

MoFo Celebrates National Mentoring Month: The Important Role of Sponsorship

MoFo Celebrates National Mentoring Month: The Important Role of Sponsorship

We continue our celebration of National Mentoring Month by focusing on MoFo’s sponsorship efforts. Sponsorship is a step beyond mentorship, occurring when a partner takes on the responsibility of promoting the career advancement of a high-performing associate (i.e., their protégé). 

MoFo recently won asylum for an Afghan woman and her young son, after nearly a year of waiting for the Asylum Office to issue its decision following the asylum interview. The firm’s pro bono client is a widow from a religious and ethnic minority who empowered other women and girls in her community as the principal of a school for girls and a provider of community services. When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, she spent days making her way to Kabul with her young son in tow, afraid of being singled out and taken away by the Taliban for, among other things, remaining an unmarried woman out in society. When the pair finally made it onto a U.S.-bound plane through the <a href="https://www.dhs.gov/allieswelcome" target="_blank" dir="ltr">Operation Allies Welcome </a>program, their ability to remain safe from Taliban persecution continued to rest on shaky ground. Asylum was their only chance of staying together; if their application were denied and they were forced to return to Afghanistan, under Afghan law, the woman would lose custody of her son to her late husband’s family. While awaiting the decision from USCIS, the woman did not let the delays and uncertainty of the U.S. immigration system slow her down—she learned to ride a bicycle (a skill she could never learn back home), learned English at a rate that outpaced many of her classmates, and even obtained her driver’s license. Together, mother and son began to build a new life here in the United States. And now, with their new asylee status, the pair can remain safe and together, and can turn this newly built life into a more permanent one.The MoFo team representing the woman and son is led by Palo Alto partner Ken Kuwayti, and includes Palo Alto associate Michelle Larg, Washington, D.C., associate Nicole Ang, Los Angeles associate Erik Manukyan, and Palo Alto senior paralegal Daisy Belle Visitacion.MoFo has been steadfast in its commitment to pro bono services for Afghan asylum seekers, assisting more than 40 Afghan refugees in their quest for immigration relief. In addition, our pro bono team completed over 300 initial screening interviews of Afghan refugees as part of Project Afghan Legal Assistance (PALA), an initiative led by the organization <a href="https://humanrightsfirst.org/" target="_blank">Human Rights First</a> in response to the influx of Afghan refugees following the United States’s abrupt withdrawal from the country in the summer of 2021. MoFo’s support of Afghan refugees, through these various initiatives, marks one of the largest pro bono projects in the firm’s recent history.

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MoFo Assists CASE Force with Implementation of US$1 billion California Rebuilding Fund; includes 778 funded loans totaling US$50 million given to small businesses

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MoFo recently won asylum for an Afghan woman and her young son, after nearly a year of waiting for the Asylum Office to issue its decision following the asylum interview. 

MoFo Wins Asylum for Widow and Young Child Who Fled Taliban-Seized Afghanistan

At MoFo, we understand that effective mentorship is critical to each attorney’s success. That is why we are excited to celebrate National Mentoring Month and the role effective mentorship plays in attorney development.Listen to MoFo partners Kelley Howes and Lily Li as they discuss the attributes of a great mentor.<div data-reactroot=""><span class="rich-text-component-embed" data-component-info="{&quot;_version&quot;:2,&quot;locale&quot;:&quot;en-us&quot;,&quot;uid&quot;:&quot;blt93b24051f1ac2e1c&quot;,&quot;card_information&quot;:{&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&lt;p dir=\&quot;ltr\&quot;&gt;MoFo Celebrates National Mentoring Month&lt;/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;_trace&quot;:&quot;array_node;blog_global_fields;card_information&quot;,&quot;_key&quot;:&quot;card_information&quot;},&quot;description&quot;:{&quot;_trace&quot;:&quot;array_node;blog_global_fields;description&quot;,&quot;_key&quot;:&quot;description&quot;},&quot;display_title&quot;:{&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&lt;p dir=\&quot;ltr\&quot;&gt;MoFo Celebrates National Mentoring Month&lt;/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;_trace&quot;:&quot;array_node;blog_global_fields;display_title&quot;,&quot;_key&quot;:&quot;display_title&quot;},&quot;page_meta&quot;:{&quot;meta_description&quot;:&quot;Listen to MoFo partners Kelley Howes and Lily Li as they discuss the attributes of a great mentor.&quot;,&quot;open_graph_meta&quot;:{&quot;og_description&quot;:&quot;Listen to MoFo partners Kelley Howes and Lily Li as they discuss the attributes of a great mentor.&quot;,&quot;og_type&quot;:&quot;website&quot;,&quot;og_site_name&quot;:&quot;Morrison &amp; Foerster&quot;,&quot;_trace&quot;:&quot;array_node;blog_global_fields;page_meta;open_graph_meta&quot;,&quot;_key&quot;:&quot;open_graph_meta&quot;},&quot;twitter_card&quot;:&quot;summary_large_image&quot;,&quot;social_share&quot;:{&quot;hashtags&quot;:[&quot;MoFo&quot;],&quot;related_accounts&quot;:[&quot;MoFoLLP&quot;],&quot;_trace&quot;:&quot;array_node;blog_global_fields;page_meta;social_share&quot;,&quot;_key&quot;:&quot;social_share&quot;},&quot;_trace&quot;:&quot;array_node;blog_global_fields;page_meta&quot;,&quot;_key&quot;:&quot;page_meta&quot;},&quot;title&quot;:&quot;MoFo Celebrates National Mentoring Month&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;/video/mofo-celebrates-national-mentoring-month&quot;,&quot;video_id&quot;:&quot;mofo-celebrates-national-mentoring-month&quot;,&quot;youtube&quot;:&quot;https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/H1RTE8__Zfk?rel=0&quot;,&quot;publish_details&quot;:{&quot;environment&quot;:&quot;bltf4674cd9142c5020&quot;,&quot;locale&quot;:&quot;en-us&quot;,&quot;time&quot;:&quot;2024-01-07T20:49:48.588Z&quot;,&quot;user&quot;:&quot;bltb8dfc2c109d32f0d&quot;,&quot;_trace&quot;:&quot;array_node;blog_global_fields;publish_details&quot;,&quot;_key&quot;:&quot;publish_details&quot;},&quot;_fetched&quot;:true,&quot;_content_type_uid&quot;:&quot;video_content&quot;,&quot;_trace&quot;:&quot;array_node;blog_global_fields&quot;,&quot;_key&quot;:&quot;key&quot;}" data-component-type="video_content" data-component-inline="false"></div>In 2022, MoFo launched <a href="https://www.mofo.com/mofo-navigate" target="_self" dir="ltr">MoFo Navigate</a>, a global initiative that unified the firm’s formal mentoring sponsorship programs. Through MoFo Navigate, we aim to provide attorneys with the right kind of support at the right points in their careers and to promote greater inclusion. Overseen by the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion (D+I) Group, MoFo Navigate helps participants develop more effective mentoring and sponsoring relationships across difference.How do you make the most of your mentoring relationship?There are practical things you can do to set your mentoring relationship up for success. Consider developing expectations and goals for your mentoring meetings. For example, your first meeting should focus on building rapport and establishing how your mentoring relationship will work. Take the initiative to schedule your regular meetings, take notes during the meetings, and have an agenda of the items you would like to discuss during each meeting.

MoFo Celebrates National Mentoring Month

MoFo Celebrates National Mentoring Month

At MoFo, we understand that effective mentorship is critical to each attorney’s success. 

Morrison Foerster secured a significant victory for its pro bono client, Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness (NMW), obtaining the dismissal of a mining company’s lawsuit that threatened to undo government efforts to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a million-acre wilderness region known for its pristine waters. This victory is the latest step in a lengthy legal battle involving mining interests whose activities pose a significant and irreversible threat to the Boundary Waters. MoFo has represented NMW since 2016 in a series of cases in federal court in Minnesota and the District of Columbia regarding mining activity in the Boundary Waters watershed.In August 2022, Twin Metals Minnesota and its subsidiary, Franconia Minerals, both of which are part of Chilean mining conglomerate Antofagasta plc, filed suit in federal district court in the District of Columbia challenging a series of actions taken by the U.S. Department of the Interior that precluded Twin Metals from developing a sulfide-ore copper mine within the watershed of the Boundary Waters. Twin Metals claimed that the cancellation of its leases and rejection of its lease applications and mine plan of operations were arbitrary and capricious. The U.S. government moved to dismiss plaintiffs’ claims for lack of subject matter jurisdiction and failure to state a claim. Our client, NMW, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the Boundary Waters, together with a group of environmental organizations and recreational businesses, joined as defendant-intervenors in May 2023 and moved to dismiss shortly thereafter.On September 6, 2023, the court granted defendants’ and defendant-intervenors’ motions to dismiss in full. As we argued, the court determined Twin Metals’ claims related to the leases were essentially contract claims that fell within the exclusive jurisdiction of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. The court also held the plaintiffs failed to state legally viable claims regarding the rejection of their lease applications and mine plan of operations.The MoFo team representing NMW is led by Washington, D.C. partner Alex Ward, together with Washington, D.C. associates Haydn Forrest, Robin Smith, Krista Nunez, and Roke Iko, New York associate Hannah Yang, and Washington, D.C. paralegal Sulay Ozturk-Gunertem.Commenting on the court’s recent decision, Alex said, “It’s gratifying to see such a thoughtful, well-reasoned opinion on this important issue. The MoFo team has worked long and hard to help our clients preserve the Boundary Waters. This is a major step toward lasting protection for this very special place.”Learn more about the <a href="https://www.savetheboundarywaters.org/" target="_blank">Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters</a>.