Want Mo Fo your time? Morrison Foerster offers that rare combination of top-level tech work, responsibility early on, and “knowledgeable, easy to talk to” partners.
Morrison Foerster Lateral Profile 2025
There’s plenty of people that fancy themselves as the baddest mofo out there. Fortunately, in the legal world, there’s quite literally only one. It doesn’t get much cooler than high profile tech work in a relaxed, modern, California environment: “We work with some of the most sophisticated clients out there, and they are just great. We are at the forefront of technology and the law,” a trainee told us. One area where MoFo certainly isn’t lacking is in rankings in Chambers USA. The firm bags top-tier nationwide recognition in government contracts, intellectual property (appellate), privacy and data security, projects (agency financing), and technology. That’s alongside top tech transactions, patent litigation, patent prosecution, trademark, copyright and trade secrets, and corporate M&A (deals in Asia) rankings in its home State of California. MoFo has ten offices across the States, with the largest groups of juniors based in San Francisco, DC and New York. Internationally, MoFo is spread out across four offices in Asia and four in Europe.
View the firm’s Chambers USA rankings
Read the firm’s Inside View feature on junior associate life
Why did you join your firm? Associates say…
“MoFo offered an emphasis on technology, the ability to practice in copyright law, kind partners and a collegial environment, and the ability to get immediate substantive experience.”
“I wanted to be on the West Coast and practice in IP litigation. MoFo represented the best of the best in that space, plus I heard great things about the culture and attorney development at the firm.”
“MoFo really fits with my values and has a great environmental practice.”
Strategic Recruitment Focuses 2025
Careers at MoFo
The view from the firm: At MoFo, we collaborate as one firm, across borders, practice areas, and business functions, and we value fresh ideas and innovation over conformity and competition.
MoFo is known for our powerhouse IP litigation practice, but it also a destination firm of choice for complex litigation and advisement to industry leaders across domestic and international markets. We have a long and successful track record in defending large and multiparty disputes. Our clients know that they can trust us not only to handle their various litigation needs, but also to navigate company crises and protect their brands. Our litigation practice can jump in at any stage of a matter’s life cycle, and the talent we hire for these practices reflects the experience and aptitude to succeed.
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
16 |
1.67 : 1 |
58% |
||
|
partners made in 2024 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
92% |
50% |
85% |
||
| felt partnership was achievable for attorneys with childcare/caregiver responsibilities | felt partnership was achievable at the firm | agreed partners are nurturing future leaders |
||
The view from the firm:
- Transparency: Our MyMoFo success framework provides clear performance expectations, empowering associates to manage their career progression effectively.
- Training: MoFo offers a variety of formal and informal learning and engagement opportunities, including professional and practice skills training, formal reviews, and mentoring and sponsorship programs.
- Strategic Support and Coaching: Each attorney is assigned a Learning & Development Strategist for personalized professional development guidance, with additional coaching available for management, leadership, and communication skills.
Hours & Compensation
|
1,950 |
17 |
50.2 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
57% |
85% |
77% |
| agreed they had a good work-life balance |
felt like they could take vacation/annual leave on their own terms |
found the firm's claims round bonus allocation to be authentic |
Salaries
1st year: $225,000
2nd year: $235,000
3rd year: $260,000
4th year: $310,000
5th year: $365,000
6th year: $390,000
7th year: $420,000
8th year: $435,000
The view from the firm:
- Market-Leading Compensation: MoFo’s Associate Bonus Program offers competitive bonuses for associates who meet the required 1,950 legal services hours, with a minimum of 1,800 client billable hours.
- Beyond Client Billables: Associates can count unlimited pro bono and D+I hours, and up to 100 pre-approved hours for knowledge management and business development activities, towards their bonus eligibility.
- High-Hour and Merit Bonuses: Additional high-hour bonuses are available at 2,100, 2,300 and 2,500 hours, and merit incentives are awarded to associates whose performance exceed expectations, enhancing transparency in annual evaluations.
Is MoFo the right firm for you?
|
93% |
100% |
93% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work they received was of the right quality
|
felt that they chose the right firm
|
The view from the firm: At MoFo, we don’t just hire talent, we invest in it. The MyMoFo success framework provides clear performance expectations, empowering you to manage your career progression effectively. With MoFo Next, our center for career advancement, we provide lifelong career support, from exploring diverse career paths to leveraging client relationships for secondments and full-time opportunities. And with our market-leading Associate Bonus Program, you’re rewarded not just for billable hours but also for pro bono, diversity and inclusion, and business development contributions.
MoFo is driven by excellence, collaboration, and innovation, offering unparalleled opportunities to thrive professionally while working on cutting-edge matters with exceptional colleagues. Our values of inclusion, career development, and service set us apart – making MoFo not just a firm to join, but a community where you’ll build a future that is uniquely yours.
Here's what survey respondents had to say about the firm's culture...
“I received a positive impression of down-to-earth but competent people from the interview which proved true during the summer associate process. The attorneys were obviously well-respected and liked by clients and each other, and I felt like it was a good fit.”
“The atmosphere is collegial and supportive. Diligent work is expected and of course encouraged, but not at the expense of empathy and understanding."
Pro Bono
|
undisclosed |
91% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm puts effort towards its commitment to pro bono and social impact activity |
Sustainability & CSR
The view from the firm: MoFo tracks the firm’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions for Scopes 1, 2, and 3. In June 2024, the Science-Based Target Initiative (SBTi) validated and approved the firm’s near-term science-based GHG emissions reduction target. MoFo commits to reduce absolute scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions by 46.55% by 2030 from a 2019 base year. The firm has also committed to procure 100% renewable energy for electricity consumed in our US offices in 2025. Lastly, to continue increasing supplier engagement, in 2024, a vendor survey went out to our top vendors to gain insight into their GHG emission performance and goals to support the firm’s emission reduction goals.
Contact
Learn more about opportunities at the firm
Recruitment contact: Lesli Hutchinson, Associate Director, Lateral Recruiting & Engagement
LHutchinson@mofo.com