Overview
Introduction
Exemplary work is standard at MoFo, but as its nickname suggests, the firm and its lawyers don’t take themselves too seriously. Morrison & Foerster LLP, with 18 global offices and more than 1,000 attorneys, excels in many practice areas, including intellectual property and privacy, and is a standout in the pro bono area, assisting in a wide range of matters. Diversity and related initiatives are key at MoFo, with DEI activities counting toward legal service hours.
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2024)
No. of Partners Named (2023)
Featured Rankings
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2023)
No. of Summer Associates (2024)
Base Salary
Vault Verdict
Lightheartedness about its nickname aside, MoFo is seriously a legal heavyweight and a desirable landing spot for associates. While hiring often focuses on those from elite law schools, academic credentials, and experience, the firm wants a diverse range of people who will fit well in its collegial, supportive office environment. Partners treat associates like teammates and support their professional development, and they are known to be generous with their time. Where formal training is lacking, partner and senior associate mentors offer meaningful feedback and support. Lateral hires, however, report that more is needed for them to feel fully integrated into the firm. Assignments run the gamut from basic to sophisticated, though they are generally commensurate with an associate’s...
Firm's Response
With 1,000+ lawyers across 18 offices in the United States, Europe, and Asia, Morrison Foerster is a leading global law firm dedicated to delivering business-oriented results to clients around the world. Large financial institutions, Fortune 100 companies, and leading technology and life sciences companies choose MoFo for our diverse persp...
About the Firm
In 1973, those cats in San Francisco approved “MoFo” as Morrison Foerster’s official nickname, accentuating the firm’s unconventional modus operandi. Still, the firm is distinguished by much more than its rebellious epithet. MoFo complements its expertise in stateside IP, finance, life sciences, technology, and litigation with a long reach across the Pacific Rim and, more recently, into Europe.
From the Golden Gate to the Great Wall
More than 140 years ago, Alexander Morrison and Thomas V. O’Brien founded the firm that became today’s Morrison Foerster in San Francisco. It wasn’t until the early 1960s that the firm ventured away from Northern California, hopping on for the ride when one of its major San Francisco clients, Crocker National Bank, decided to open an LA office. In the secon...
Associate Reviews
- “Collegial atmosphere where everybody gets along and is friendly at work, but people also value their lives outside of work and respect when you have other obligations.”
- “Wonderful culture—lawyers are generally friendly, socialize, and attempt to engage outside of work. The firm puts together many sponsored events, and they tend to be well-received. Lawyers and staff have great relationships.”
- “In my experience, the firm is very friendly and warm. Attorneys socialize independently and at firm-sponsored events frequently. Lawyers and staff are very respectful of one another, and interactions have always been pleasant. No matter whether the day is full of tight deadlines and hard work or not, the firm atmosphere is friendly and relaxed.”
- “Associates regularly socialize together. Staff is great at putting on organized dinners, happy hours, activities, lunches, etc. MoFo firm culture is one of the best. Everyone is kind and motivating. ...”
Why Work Here
The World of MoFo
Morrison Foerster is an international firm with over 1000 lawyers in key technology and financial centers in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Founded in 1883, the firm’s dedication to clients is reflected in the firm’s mantra that it is every lawyer’s responsibility to provide clients with “legendary service.” Clients include some of the largest financial institutions, Fortune 100 companies, investment banks and technology and life science companies. The firm is consistently included as one of America’s top 20 law firms in The American Lawyer’s A-List. Their practitioners are recognized by their peers in reference guides including IFLR1000, PLC Cross-border Handbooks, Chambers Global and Legal 500. The firm is consistently recognized for its commitment to the community and pro bono, recently honored by the Pro Bono Institute's John H. Pickering Award, given in recognition of the firm's unwavering commitment to pro bono. PBI highlighted the firm's recent pro bono victories, including a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court protecting juveniles from life sentences without parole in non-homicide offenses, and another case securing the release of a man wrongly imprisoned for 20 years.
Diversity at Morrison Foerster
Getting Hired Here
- “Diversity, academic credentials, recognized school name. Summer associates are the main feeder. There are some laterals, but mostly to fill in gaps with no realistic partnership prospects. They prefer to have completely ‘homegrown’ partners and attorneys who join as partners directly.”
- “The hiring is quite competitive and only getting more competitive. I think the firm considers all of the gold stars listed, but in a way that is holistic.”
- “We hire very selectively, primarily from California schools, but [also] from all over. Credentials are important, but [a candidate] also must be a culture fit.”
- “MoFo genuinely wants to hire committed, hard-working, and intelligent lawyers. Diversity, personality, and law school GPA are certainly major factors.”