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 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

MoFo Pro Bono

MoFo Diversity

MoFo Life

MoFo Women

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

LinkedIN

Editor’s note: Read about transactions associate Mark Donovan, who participated in the 2023 MoFoundations Program in our Boston office, in this installment of our MoFo Stories series.After speaking to countless attorneys, professors, friends, and anyone who would listen, one theme defined all of my discussions regarding MoFo: its community. As one of my law professors and mentors liked to remind me, while MoFo offers engaging and demanding legal work, its collegial and friendly environment defines it. Although she was very fond of the legal work MoFo does, my professor was especially emphatic that MoFo offers a community unlike any other firm. To prove this, she connected me with several MoFo associates. Not only were these attorneys willing to speak with a law student they had never met, but they all genuinely wished to remain connected. Further substantiating my professor’s point, each of these attorneys personally reached out to me prior to my first week as an associate to congratulate me and welcome me to the firm over lunch, coffee, or conversation.Similarly, MoFoundations transformed a daunting experience (beginning my legal career) into a pleasant and enjoyable memory. From learning about my personality style though the DiSC Assessment, to attending trainings designed to prepare me for assignment meetings, MoFoundations was integral to my first few post-training weeks. As I had expected from my prior experience as a MoFo summer associate, the trainings were pragmatic and carefully constructed. However, much of my learning also occurred during very deliberately scheduled downtimes. For example, during one of the planned programming breaks, I attended a team meeting for the team I was to join following training. Not only did this meeting reintroduce me to many of my former colleagues from my time as a summer associate, but it also helped me orient my focus for the remainder of MoFoundations so I could develop skills that are particularly useful for and tailored to my team.Now, as I think about beginning my legal career, I look forward to developing and mastering my approach to general contract drafting. I also hope to learn more about the legal and business issues that arise in venture debt finance deals. I am eager to represent some major banks and financial institutions as they lend money to cutting-edge tech and startup companies. Most importantly, I look forward to positively contributing to my team and to the community at MoFo. Whether by serving as a resource for current law students or preserving the collegial and friendly atmosphere that defines the Boston office, I hope to embody the qualities that brought me to MoFo!

Associate

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

Mark Francis Donovan

Mark Donovan

240214-mofoundations-mark-donovan.jpg

MoFoundations MoFo Story: Mark Donovan

240214-mofoundations-mark-donovan

After speaking to countless attorneys, professors, friends, and anyone who would listen, one theme defined all of my discussions regarding MoFo: its community.

MoFoundations MoFo Story: Mark Donovan

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

Melinda Gilani

240214-mofoundations-melinda-gilani.jpg

MoFoundations MoFo Story: Melinda Gilani

240214-mofoundations-melinda-gilani

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

donovan_mark_blog_150x150.png

donovan_mark_common_640x280.jpg

donovan_mark_heroretina_2700x1160.jpg

donovan_mark_mobileretina_750x1040.jpg

donovan_mark_social_600x600.jpg

gilani_melinda_blog_150x150.png

gilani_melinda_common_640x280.jpg

gilani_melinda_heroretina_2700x1160.jpg

gilani_melinda_mobileretina_750x1040.jpg

gilani_melinda_social_600x600.jpg

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

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

Keniece Y. Gray

Keniece Gray

240214-mofoundations-paving-the-way-to-success.jpg

MoFoundations: Paving the Way to Success

240214-mofoundations-paving-the-way-to-success

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

gray_keniece_blog_150x150.png

gray_keniece_common_640x280.jpg

gray_keniece_heroretina_2700x1160.jpg

gray_keniece_mobileretina_750x1040.jpg

gray_keniece_social_600x600.jpg

240216-mofoundations-keniece-gray.jpg

MoFoundations MoFo Story: Keniece Gray

240214-mofoundations-keniece-gray

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

Earlier this month, 15 MoFo associates took part in a partner-led immersive Trial Skills Training program in San Francisco. The program gave associates an opportunity to practice their trial skills so that they are ready to hit the ground running when they go to trial.The program was led by MoFo partner Daralyn Durie, one of the United States’ preeminent trial lawyers and a recent inductee into the <a href="https://www.mofo.com/resources/news/230925-california-lawyers-association-trial-lawyer" target="_blank" dir="ltr">California Lawyers Association Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame</a>, and Matthaeus Martino-Weinhardt, an associate in MoFo’s Intellectual Property Litigation Group. Other MoFo trial lawyers involved in the program included Christine Wong, co-chair of the Global Litigation Department; David Cross, co-chair of the Global Antitrust practice group; Whitney O’Byrne, a partner in the Class Actions + Mass Torts Group; James Koukios, co-chair of the Securities Litigation, Enforcement, and White Collar Defense Group and co-head of the FCPA + Global Anti-Corruption practice; Kyle Mooney, an Intellectual Property partner; and William Frentzen, a partner in the Securities Litigation, Enforcement, and White Collar Defense Group.“I was so excited to be part of this inaugural trial training. I don’t think there’s any substitute for learning by doing, and it was wonderful to see the participants gain skills and grow in confidence over the course of the two days,” said Daralyn. “It was also a great opportunity to meet other lawyers who are enthusiastic about trial practice and maybe even to make a few converts! I’m very much looking forward to a repeat next year.”Associates appreciated the opportunity to learn and grow as litigators. After preparing and presenting mock trial arguments—including opening statements, direct examinations, cross examinations, and closing arguments—participants received personalized feedback from partners across the firm who all have differing approaches to trial. “The trial skills training was a terrific opportunity to hone on-your-feet skills with immediate feedback from experienced trial lawyers. Everyone who attended was very generous with their time and shared a wealth of concrete tips for improvement,” said associate Michael Komorowski.“The skills I gained from this training are not exclusive to trial and will most immediately serve me in future on-my-feet opportunities as I have now gained more confidence in my oral advocacy skills. Another immediate benefit is I now see discovery from a different light, especially with respect to how I can strategically and artfully draft deposition outlines that will be more useful for impeachment at trial,” said associate Allyson Bach. “Above all, what I really enjoyed from this training was the opportunity to meet and collaborate with colleagues from across offices.”To learn more about 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:acurren@mofo.com">Amy Tenney Curren</a>, director of Attorney Learning & Development.  <div data-reactroot=""><img src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blt6d02839df3149cbd/653664b7c41fbc7fa7b6a0ce/231023-mofo-trial-training.jpg?format=auto&amp;quality=60" alt="mofo trial training"/></div>

MoFo Associates Learn Practical Trial and Litigation Skills through Immersive Partner-Led Training

Partner

Daralyn Durie is among the top trial lawyers in the country, acting as go-to trial counsel for both plaintiffs and defendants. 

Daralyn Durie

Daralyn Durie | Trials + Intellectual Property

Michael is an associate in the Litigation Department and a member of the firm's Securities Litigation and Securities Enforcement groups.

Michael Komorowski

231024-llitigation.jpg

MoFo Associates Learn Practical Trial and Litigation Skills through Immersive Partner-Led Training

231024-llitigation

Earlier this month, 15 MoFo associates took part in a partner-led immersive Trial Skills Training program in San Francisco. 

Throughout September, Morrison Foerster’s Environmental Sustainability (ES) Committees focused on climate with several initiatives and activities across the firm.Krista deBoer, associate and co-chair of the San Diego ES Committee, and Cedar Hobbs, associate and member of the San Diego ES Committee, led a two-session training for MoFo attorneys and business professionals on the basics of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. Attendees joined these virtual events from across the firm.  The ES Committees encouraged attorneys and business professionals to share a photo of their favorite place in nature that could be impacted by climate change in a climate photo contest. The winner received recognition through their personal carbon footprint being offset for a year.  The Committees also held in-person events related to the linkages between climate and other environmental topics, like waste, and regional impacts. Photos from the Brussels “Zero Waste Workshop” and San Francisco “Great Highway Project Presentation” are featured below.<a href="https://www.mofo.com/culture/sustainability" target="_blank">Learn more</a> about MoFo’s environmental sustainability initiatives. <div data-reactroot=""><img src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blteb921816594bd927/651f462e5554e9e94a63df06/231003-climate-week-1.jpg?format=auto&amp;quality=60" alt="Climate Week"/></div><div data-reactroot=""><img src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/bltd51b1b2ce06482a8/651f462e6065f336902294f6/231003-climate-week-2.jpg?format=auto&amp;quality=60" alt="Climate Week"/></div>

Krista deBoer’s practice involves the full range of environmental, climate, and green claims issues. As a partner in MoFo’s Class Actions + Mass Tort practice group, Krista represents clients in environmental and toxic tort litigation, Proposition 65 litigation, and consumer class actions 

Krista S. deBoer

Krista deBoer

Cedar Hobbs is an associate in MoFo’s Complex Litigation + Advisement Group in the San Diego office. His practice focuses on complex civil litigation and environmental law and regulation.

Cedar Hobbs

231003-mofo-eco.jpg

231003-mofo-eco

Throughout September, Morrison Foerster’s Environmental Sustainability (ES) Committees focused on climate with several initiatives and activities across the firm.

Climate Week 2023: MoFo Highlights Environmental Sustainability Issues

MoFo Singapore is delighted to continue our long-standing support of Willing Hearts—a Singapore charity that prepares and distributes 11,000+ daily meals to low-income families, the elderly, migrant workers, and persons with special needs to over 70 locations island wide every day.As part of our community day of service, MoFo lawyers and business professionals spent a fulfilling day helping with the food preparation, packaging and delivery of the meals, and learned more about what the organization does and its important work within the community. We then bonded over a delicious team meal prepared with love by the APSN Café for All, an inspirational social enterprise run by trainees from the Association for Persons with Special Needs.Serving our local communities is one of our core values, and we continue to live out this shared value by making a positive impact through our pro bono and community activities in the local communities where we work and live. To commemorate our 40th anniversary in Asia, The Morrison & Foerster Foundation will also make a special grant to support organizations serving underprivileged communities in China, Japan, and Singapore.<div data-reactroot=""><img src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/bltac022e9e9014e46c/64bfeb53ab018e348451dee4/230727-community-day.jpg?format=auto&amp;quality=60" alt="Singapore Community Day"/></div>

230727-community-day.jpg

MoFo Singapore is delighted to continue our long-standing support of Willing Hearts—a Singapore charity that prepares and distributes 11,000+ daily meals to low-income families, the elderly, migrant workers, and persons with special needs to over 70 locations island wide every day.

MoFo Singapore’s Community Day of Service 2023

As part of MoFo’s summer associate programming, MoFo recently welcomed Professor Stephen Vladeck to discuss his New York Times Bestseller book The Shadow Docket: How the Supreme Court Uses Stealth Rulings to Amass Power and Undermine the Republic. Joe Palmore, MoFo’s Appellate and Supreme Court practice co-chair and managing partner of the Washington, D.C., office, hosted a fireside chat with Professor Vladeck, followed by a book signing.Professor Vladeck holds the Charles Alan Wright Chair in Federal Courts at the University of Texas School of Law and clerked for court of appeals judges on the Ninth and Eleventh Circuits. He has argued multiple cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as other federal courts, both civilian and military. He is also a co-host of the award-winning National Security Law Podcast and is CNN’s Supreme Court analyst.During the discussion, Vladeck explained that he uses the term “shadow docket” in his book in the same context as legal scholar William Baude, who coined the term in a 2015 article for the New York University Journal of Law & Liberty. In summary, the term refers to everything the Supreme Court does other than rulings it hands down in argued cases on the merits docket. “By volume, those rulings are well less than one percent of what the Supreme Court actually does,” Stephen said. “The Supreme Court does most of its work through unsigned, unexplained orders. And although many of those orders are completely banal, a number of those orders can be important and can have really significant, real world, and sometimes even doctrinal, effects.”Vladeck’s argument mirrors the subtitle of his book: How the Supreme Court Uses Stealth Rulings to Amass Power and Undermine the Republic. While the phrase “amass power” refers to the Court’s discretion over its docket through certiorari, “undermine the republic” refers to how it has overseen election and other significant disputes outside its merits docket. Vladeck described a number of the Court’s shadow docket actions in election cases as inconsistent and seemingly explicable based only on their partisan valence. “That’s where I think we get to the harshest criticism,” he said. “When there’s no throughline, when there’s no pure and substantive principle that explains why the court is ruling the way it does, now it looks like the justices are playing political favorites.” These behaviors, Vladeck explained, have undermined public perception of the Court’s neutrality.Throughout his book, Vladeck argues that everyone, regardless of partisan alignment, should care about the Court’s actions. “We need a Supreme Court that is at least widely perceived to be legitimate,” he explained. “Not because it’s going to do things we agree with, but because a court that is perceived as legitimate has the ability to serve its role in our constitutional democracy, which is standing up to tyrannies of the majority.”Though Vladeck feels that the best solution is to amplify criticism of the Court’s behavior, he did add that there are other ways to address the issue. “The lowest hanging fruit would be if the Court would just commit to providing a modicum of explanation at least when it grants emergency relief,” he said. “When the Court is taking the affirmative step of upsetting the status quo, of doing something to suspend the effect of a lower court ruling or to enjoin action that lower courts refuse to—the full Court could take it upon itself to commit to writing.”Along with potential remedies, Vladeck added that lawyers have a special obligation to defend the importance of process. “If we’re trying to think about what separates judicial power from other forms of political power, I think it’s the notion that the courts are acting judicially that we have to be dying on the hill to defend,” he said.“I’m thrilled that Professor Vladeck was able to join us for this fascinating discussion, and I’m grateful to our summer associates for asking such terrific questions,” Palmore said.<div data-reactroot=""><img src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/blt6271518e7783fc52/649b29b47e68bba259abce96/230626-books.jpg?format=auto&amp;quality=60" alt="Books"/></div><div data-reactroot=""><img src="https://media2.mofo.com/v3/images/blt5775cc69c999c255/bltbb42a997520981e7/649b2a0705ac384818aebad6/230626-joseph-palmore.jpg?format=auto&amp;quality=60" alt="Joseph Palmore and Stephen Vladeck"/></div>

Joe Palmore co-chairs Morrison Foerster’s Appellate and Supreme Court practice. Chambers USA describes him as “an outstanding oral advocate,” who is “calm, focused, effective and doesn’t back down,” and has “complete command of the facts.” Joe “writes great briefs” (Chambers USA), with one client recounting that “the Court mirrored the language he thoughtfully chose in its ultimate order” (Legal 500).

Joseph R. Palmore

Joseph R. Palmore is co-chair of the firm's Appellate and Supreme Court Practice Group and Managing Partner for the Washington, D.C. office. Before joining Morrison Foerster, Joe was an Assistant to the Solicitor General at the United States Department of Justice and the Deputy General Counsel of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Joseph Palmore

230626-courthouse.jpg

230626-courthouse

As part of MoFo’s summer associate programming, MoFo recently welcomed Professor Stephen Vladeck to discuss his New York Times Bestseller book The Shadow Docket: How the Supreme Court Uses Stealth Rulings to Amass Power and Undermine the Republic. Joe Palmore, MoFo’s Appellate and Supreme Court practice co-chair and managing partner of the Washington, D.C., office, hosted a fireside chat with Professor Vladeck, followed by a book signing.

Summer Associate Book Talk: A Conversation with Professor Stephen Vladeck

MoFo Litigation partner Alexis Amezcua recently conducted a fireside chat in our San Francisco office with author and executive coach <a href="https://michaelmelcher.com/" target="_blank">Michael Urtuzuástegui Melcher</a> titled “Your Invisible Network: Achieving Your Professional Potential by Investing in Relationships – and How to Do This in 20 Minutes a Day.”A lawyer by training, Michael practiced law for several years before starting an executive coaching and leadership development company. Over the past 20 years, he has worked with business and legal professionals, from people at the beginning of their careers to senior executives.During the session, Michael shared insights and practical tools from his recently published book, Your Invisible Network, and from his years coaching leaders of all backgrounds. “In my experience coaching, about 70 percent of what I do relates to communications and relationship-building,” he said. Relationship-building and networking are practices that most people are somewhat familiar with, but often don’t know how to successfully navigate. Michael knew he had the ability to write about these topics with greater nuance.In his book, he singularly focuses on the importance of relationships and how they can transform a person’s career. During his conversation with Alexis, Michael noted that while merit and skill are necessary components of success, “Relationships are what connect your value to the world.” Networking is often viewed as something done to get a job; however, he explained that it is also something we must continue to do to add richness and depth to our jobs every day.To start building relationships, Michael advised first assessing the health of your existing relationships to determine where you would like to see growth. From there, compartmentalize your goals into manageable actions that can be achieved in 20 minutes a day. Ultimately, smaller, consistent actions over time are more effective than one grand gesture.“It’s actually very human,” Michael explained. Professional relationships are just like any other relationship. “It’s based on learning about somebody and sharing about yourself and finding opportunities to do things together and talking about things of mutual interest.”To those eager to see immediate results, Michael encouraged an attitude of perseverance. “You are going to put time in before you will see results,” he explained. He acknowledged that investing in relationships may detract from other goals or obligations. “The flipside is that relationships can be a little bit magical,” he said. “You don’t know what you will discover.”

Alexis is a skilled class action and commercial litigator, and practices in a variety of high-profile areas, including: Breach of contract, Complex consumer class actions, False advertising, Federal banking law










Alexis Amezcua

Alexis’ practice focuses on a variety of substantive areas, including breach of contract, wrongful termination, trade secret theft, unfair competition, product liability, federal banking law, complex consumer class actions, and wrongful death. Alexis has represented both plaintiffs and defendants, and her practice includes substantive arbitration experience, as well as trial experience in state and federal courts. She is a frequent speaker and author on topics related to arbitration, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, consumer class actions, and consumer product safety.What do you like best about your work? I love the “chess game” of litigation. As a litigator, my job is to be steps ahead of my opponent and think strategically about where the other party is going, why, and how we can best outmaneuver him or her. It means brainstorming with my whip-smart team members and clients, understanding our goals, and, of course, jumping into the ring (figuratively) at hearings, depositions, and, ultimately, at trial.What do you enjoy doing in your free time? In my free time, I most enjoy spending time with my 3-year-old daughter, husband, and extended family, usually during outdoor or travel excursions. What is your favorite thing about living in your current city? We live in Burlingame, mid-way between San Francisco and Palo Alto. I love its walk- and bike-ability. We bike almost everywhere on the weekends, including to parks, restaurants, and the library. It sure beats having to wrestle a toddler into a car seat.

Alexis A. Amezcua

230503-network.jpg

Building Professional Relationships: A Conversation with Michael Melcher

230503-network

MoFo Litigation partner Alexis Amezcua recently conducted a fireside chat in our San Francisco office with author and executive coach Michael Urtuzuástegui Melcher titled “Your Invisible Network: Achieving Your Professional Potential by Investing in Relationships – and How to Do This in 20 Minutes a Day.”