Morrison Foerster

Overview

Morrison Foerster (MoFo) is a large, global full-service law firm with a strong reputation for technology, data/privacy, capital markets and complex cross-border transactions and disputes. The firm emphasises collaborative, cross-border teamwork and industry-focused practices (notably in technology, life sciences, financial services and ESG), supported by dedicated resource centres such as an AI Resource Center and MoFo ScaleUp. The firm presents itself as client-focused and innovative — pairing technical and sector knowledge with a commitment to inclusion, pro bono and sustainability work. The supplementary profile data classifies the firm as 'Magic Circle' and the firm materials consistently position MoFo as a leading global US-headquartered firm active across North America, Europe and Asia.

• Headquarters: San Francisco, 425 Market Street
• Lawyers: 2,200+ legal and business professionals
• Trainees: 5
• Offices: 19

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Corporate & M&A
• Capital Markets
• Technology & Digital
• Data Protection & Privacy
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Intellectual Property
• Employment
• ESG & Sustainability
• Banking & Finance
• Real Estate
• Competition & Antitrust
• Financial Services & Regulation
• Private Equity & Venture Capital
• Tax
• Healthcare & Life Sciences
• Investment Funds
• Insolvency & Restructuring
• White Collar Crime
• Regulatory & Compliance

Geographic Focus: MoFo operates from strategic hubs across North America, Europe and Asia, with particular strength in the United States (San Francisco, New York, Silicon Valley), key European centres (London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels) and major Asian financial/tech centres (Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo). The firm handles large cross‑border M&A, capital markets, technology transactions and complex multinational disputes, using multi‑office teams for integrated cross‑jurisdiction advice.

Training Contract

The firm offers formal training and development through MoFo Academy and the Attorney Development Group, supplements practical seat rotations with internal training/bootcamps (for example Patent Boot Camp), and provides mentoring via the MoFo Navigate mentoring programme.

• Starting Salary: £60,000 (First‑year trainee)
• NQ Salary: £167,000
• Trainee Intake: 5
• Academic Requirements: Minimum A‑level requirement: AAB. Minimum degree requirement: 2:1. (Supplementary data lists these academic minima.)
• Application Deadline: 5 January 2026

Sponsorship

PGDL/PGDL grant: £15,000. SQE grant: £17,000 (figures from supplementary data). Additional financial support for patent practitioners and law school reimbursement programmes (see Patent Program tuition forgiveness for eligible patent agents).

SQE Support

The supplementary information lists an SQE grant of £17,000. The firm also provides study resources and formal in‑firm learning support linked through the Attorney Development Group and MoFo Academy.

International Opportunities

Trainees have a material chance of international secondment — supplementary data indicates approximately a 33% chance of a secondment abroad. Destinations referenced across firm materials include MoFo offices in London, Berlin, Amsterdam, Brussels, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore.

Client Secondments

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Mentorship

Formal mentoring is provided (MoFo Navigate Mentoring Program), with mentors at counsel/partner level, onboarding mentor groups, buddy networks, and the Attorney Development Group providing transition coaching and training. Support for parental leave returners and reduced‑hours arrangements are formalised with guidance.

Apply on the Morrison Foerster website →

Programmes & Schemes

Notable Matters

What Morrison Foerster Looks For

Key Competencies

• Collaboration and teamwork
• Commercial awareness and sector knowledge (especially technology, life sciences and financial services)
• Academic achievement (minimums indicated) and intellectual ability
• Early responsibility and initiative
• Technical/sector expertise for specialist roles (e.g., STEM backgrounds for patent practitioners)
• Commitment to inclusion and pro bono
• Resilience and ability to manage demanding international workloads

Evidence Signals

• Relevant commercial or technical work experience (internships, start‑up/commercial exposure)
• Virtual job simulation completion or summer associate/patent programme participation
• For patent roles: advanced scientific/engineering degrees, research experience and USPTO/technical credentials
• Demonstrable interest or activity in ESG/sustainability for roles in that practice area
• Examples of cross‑border teamwork, language skills and international experience

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Trainee salary Year 1: £60,000
• Trainee salary Year 2: £65,000
• NQ salary: £167,000
• PGDL/PGDL grant: £15,000
• SQE grant: £17,000
• Parental leave: primary caregivers up to 22 weeks paid; designated caregivers up to 8 weeks paid; additional baby bonding time
• Automatic reduced‑hours arrangements offered to lawyers returning from parental leave
• Employee Assistance Program (ComPsych® GuidanceResources®) 24/7
• Talkspace online therapy service
• Commuter Benefit Program (pre‑tax transit/parking)
• Back‑up child care (available to U.S., London and Berlin offices up to 20 times per dependent at minimal cost)
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Flexible work arrangements and Reduced Hours Program
• MoFo Academy and regular internal training seminars; professional development vouchers for trainees in some offices
• Support for lactation costs (breast pump purchase/rental and shipping reimbursements when travelling)
• MoFo Next alumni career coaching and career resources

Wellbeing

24/7 counselling via ComPsych GuidanceResources, Talkspace online therapy, Work‑Life Task Force seminars, support groups for working parents, transition coaching from the Attorney Development Group, and office wellbeing initiatives (Healthy MoFo).

Awards & Recognition

• Top 15 firm on the 2025 A‑List (The American Lawyer)
• Environment & Sustainability: Innovation Award at Chambers Diversity & Inclusion Awards: North America 2022
• Financial Times Most Innovative Lawyers in Science and Technology Award (2025)
• Ranked #1 overall in GDR 100 (Global Data Review) 2024
• Human Rights Campaign 100% Corporate Equality Index (2025)
• Law360 Diversity Snapshot — ranked first overall among firms with 601+ lawyers (2025)
• Seramount Best Law Firms for Talent Survey — Ranked #3 (2025); Hall of Fame recognition
• Private Equity International Law Firm of the Year in Asia Pacific: Transactions (2024)
• Chambers and Legal 500 numerous Band/Rankings across multiple jurisdictions (2024–2026)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Established independent Diversity + Inclusion Department (expanded from one to five professional staff), launched the Gender Inclusive Employment Policy, long‑standing firm commitment to recruit and develop diverse lawyers and to reflect community diversity in leadership; strategic external partnerships to advance D+I and professional development.

• Wetmore Fellowship
• Affinity Program (eight firmwide Affinity Networks)
• MoFo Allies Network
• Women Spotlight series (including Leaders of Influence: A Spotlight on MoFo Women of Color)
• Diversity Strategy Committee
• Gender Inclusive Employment Policy
• MoFo Navigate Mentoring Program
• MoFo Foundation partnerships and external partnerships (e.g., Foundation for the Advancement of Diversity in IP Law)
• MoFo Women Berlin, Women's Affinity Group and LGBT Group Europe

Pro Bono

MoFo has an extensive pro bono programme and long history of sustainability‑focused pro bono. The firm committed $2 million in pro bono legal services for climate projects under Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy and contributed $4.3 million in pro bono services to those matters in 2021. Key pro bono partners include The Nature Conservancy, Ceres and other NGOs; firmwide pro bono encourages integration with sustainability and access to justice initiatives.

Innovation

MoFo invests in legal technology and innovation via resource centres, focused AI/privacy toolkits, and recurring events (Tech Law Summit, AI/Responsible Technology forums). The firm positions itself as a leader on tech and AI regulatory issues and integrates innovation into client solutions; trainee and junior attorney ratings indicate strong legal‑tech engagement and an innovation culture that exposes juniors to tech‑driven matters and cross‑disciplinary projects.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Resource Center
• MoFo Tech Blog
• MoFo ScaleUp
• MoFo Tech Law Summit
• MoFo Academy (internal learning and development)
• AI and Responsible Technology training and events (Responsible AI symposiums and webinars)
• MoFo Privacy Library and GDPR/EU privacy resources
• Technology‑focused case studies and an innovation focus in ESG and data work
• Legora (AI leadership initiative referenced in firm news)

Quick Application Angles

• Emphasise cross‑border and sector experience — reference MoFo’s multi‑office approach (US, Europe, Asia) and a recent cross‑border matter such as the $3.4bn Sachem/IRG combination or Arm IPO in your application to show commercial awareness.
• If applying to technology, data or AI teams, highlight concrete technical experience or outputs (e.g., projects using ML, privacy compliance work or contributions to tech policy) — the firm rates highly for technology and legal tech.
• For patent roles, stress STEM depth and research experience; mention participation in MoFo’s Two‑Summer Patent Program (or similar internships) and readiness to prepare for the USPTO exam.
• Reference MoFo’s commitment to ESG and sustainability (e.g., its Environment & Sustainability innovation award and green bond/capital markets work) if applying to the ESG or corporate teams — show how you would add value on sustainable finance or impact diligence.
• Reflect the firm’s collaborative culture and mentoring focus — give examples of successful team work, cross‑team collaboration or mentoring experiences to signal cultural fit.