Morrison Foerster - True Picture

Morrison Foerster training contract 2025

The Firm

What’s a little banter between friends? A joke here and there, some good-natured name-calling: ‘you’re such a silly goose! Cheers, captain obvious! You MoFo!’ Woah… too far? Not for this San Francisco-born firm. In fact, it’s both an endearing yet amusing moniker that holds a lot of weight – “in the tech and healthcare space, MoFo is a big name.” Invested in pro bono, cutting-edge work, big client names, and cross-border matters, Morrison Foerster (MoFo to its friends) has an extensive network. On top of all that, as one ambitious trainee shared, “joining MoFo gave us the chance to get in at the early stages of the big European and UK expansion.”

“Joining MoFo gave us the chance to get in at the early stages of the big European and UK expansion.”

Training principal Trevor James is happy to confirm this, saying, “Not only do we have a presence in the U.S., but also across Asia and Europe, where we are known for our presence in London, Brussels, and Berlin.” With 1,000 lawyers total, just over 100 lawyers call the London office home. The capital is recognised for its debt capital markets and IT & outsourcing work in Chambers UK. Across the pond, from government contracts, patent prosecution, commercial litigation, and everything in between, the firm boasts over 50 accolades in Chambers USA. In Chambers Global, in the Asia-Pacific region, it scoops up top rankings in private equity, corporate/M&A, and TNT. And it’s on this global stage that MoFo is a household name in outsourcing and agribusiness too. Considering its breadth of practices, we weren’t surprised to hear that the firm is perfect for those who “want a broad experience and are keen to head into a training contract with an open mind – you don’t get pigeonholed here.”

In keeping with the tradition of US firms in the city, MoFo takes on seven trainees each year: “Our trainees are the future and represent the next generation of leaders at the firm”, James nods, “We take our trainee programme extremely seriously – from day one, trainees are doing client work. It’s demanding, but there is that support in place with formal learning and development alongside fully trained supervisors.” Ticking the box for those who sought “to be part of smaller teams, collaborate, and feel like a valued member of the team without sacrificing the quality of the work,” the vac scheme was a chance for aspiring solicitors to see some of the behind-the-scenes. “The culture of MoFo shone through,” an interviewee smiled, “it felt like you could ask anyone anything, and everyone was interested in you from the get-go!”

The Seats

For fresh-faced trainees, their first seat is allocated based off expressed interest, previous experience, and business need. “This is communicated to you before starting. You have a chat with a member from the training committee; it’s an opportunity to ask questions and discuss concerns,” a newbie reassured. From then on, trainees submit their top four preferences for each rotation, though “it’s very common to do a split seat.” Combinations can be a mix of complimentary specialist areas. There are also secondments on the cards, and “you’re really encouraged to do one.” On the client side, there are several household names to pick from, and internationally, “the big one is Singapore – usually one of two people go each year.”

“From day one, it has been really busy; there’s an awful lot to be done,” a trainee exclaimed, which is understandable since “a large portion of the work currently has been focused on the Post Office Enquiry!” But that’s not all: a stint in litigation exposes newbies to the scope and reach of the disputes work that the London team tackles. From investigations and white collar defence, international arbitration to sanctions, antitrust/competition, national security, and commercial litigation – there is plenty to get stuck into! Other recent headlines include acting for cryptocurrency platform Wirex Limited in their dispute against Cryptocarbon Global over the unauthorized use of their registered trademark, CRYPTOBCK. The team continues to defend a holding company in Louwman Group, one of the largest car distributors in Europe, against breach of contract claims, having loaned $90 million to a company to purchase the famous Ferrari collection on display at the Violati Maranello Rosso Museum in San Marin.

A litigation insider was keen to share, “You get hands-on experience from a project management point of view.” Doc review and legal research are staple tasks which feed “document production, such as summaries and memos. These are also an opportunity to present to the wider team.” Sources spoke of drafting letters to the courts and involved parties, alongside questions for witnesses and witness statements themselves, as well as sections of closing submissions. Another mused, “You get that chance to take the first draft. Sure, it gets edited a lot, but it’s nice to get that opportunity.”

On the transactional side, MoFo’s corporate/M&A practice is renowned for its work in the tech space, often advising on private deals as well as public M&A. Notably, the team advised SoftBank, a OneWeb shareholder, in connection with its $3.4 billion merger with Eutelsat Communications, a move that has been described to rival Elon Musk’s Space X, resulting in a shared fleet of almost 700 satellites. That’s not all: the firm also retains clients such as Cambridge Quantum, Imerys and Alphine Investments. Project management, such as coordinating documents with the other side and managing the signing and closing of deals, are core responsibilities here, alongside having “an active role in the due diligence process and drafting reports.” Trainees do get the opportunity to roll up their sleeves, though: “Increasingly, I got more drafting opportunities as the seat went on, such as ancillary docs and promissory notes.”

“We cover dynamic sectors like AI, aerospace, quantum technologies, and defence.”

Supporting transactions, the competition and national security team advises clients on Competition and Market Authority (CMA) strategy and approvals, alongside navigating global foreign investment controls, competition compliance issues, and government contracts. “It’s a growing department,” an interviewee pointed out, elaborating, “We cover dynamic sectors like AI, aerospace, quantum technologies, and defence.” Actively participating in meetings and updating teams on developments come part and parcel with this seat, so “you must stay on top of what is going on in that space.” For instance, “a lot of it was keeping up with regulations relating to Russia.” For acquisitions or reorganizations, doc review is another staple task for trainees, and opportunities for drafting look like “taking the first draft of filings that go to the government.”

Data privacy at the firm can be offered as part of a split seat. “It’s a small but very well-run team; MoFo is known for its tech clients for a reason,” a trainee attested, continuing, “I like that you get to work across the team. Here, everyone has their own niche – from more advisory work to deal work.” In one recent deal, the team acted as counsel on privacy matters throughout Arm Holdings’ $5.2 billion listing on Nasdaq and have worked with a host of recognizable names, including Open AI, Amazon, and Pfizer. The practice encompasses data breaches, cybersecurity, and advisory work; with lots of legal research to go along with that, an insider explained: “The advisory work is related to legislation and GDPR, as the law is evolving very quickly there. So, a lot of the research tasks are related to things like AI law in the EU!” So, with matters across offices, trainees frequently find themselves working with the European offices. Here, rookies valued client contact above all: “I’ve been invited to calls and even as a trainee, I’m involved by being introduced to clients, being able to ask questions on the calls, and having clients asking me questions!”

Trainee Life

New starters receive induction training and are assigned a trainee buddy and associate liaison to help navigate firm life. Training is supplemented throughout by a library of resources. “At the start of our seats, we get that broader training about drafting contracts and get key updates on the latest deals,” an interviewee outlined. Having that foundation is useful, as “you then get to experience it firsthand. This is part of the training where you are learning by doing.” Even better, trainees share an office with their supervisor, making it easier to ask questions and receive feedback. One shared, “We set aside 15 minutes to talk about how things are going and any concerns I may have on a regular basis.” Formal feedback is received at mid- and end-of-seat evaluation: “It’s detailed and reassuring to hear how you’re doing and what you can do better from their perspective.”

Sources were pleased to report that “there is no facetime culture at MoFo. If you have lots of work to do and feel comfortable, you can go home at 8pm and log back on; it’s perfectly acceptable.” Everyone is expected to be in the office at least three days a week, but those days are team-dependent. So, what’s the London office like? “It’s probably one of the best in the city,” an interviewee not-so-humble-bragged. “It’s in the Scalpel - the views are excellent, being on the 21st to 25th floors.”

“It’s literally open doors… You can have a light-hearted chat with anyone, even partners.”

On top of an impressive office, sources appreciated that “everyone is friendly. It’s literally open doors – with the office having glass cubicles – you can have a light-hearted chat with anyone, even partners.” One recollected, “People came to introduce themselves to me – I didn’t feel like I had to knock on everyone’s door.” Perhaps this can be accredited to the firm’s West Coast roots, but what’s sure is that the firm maintains this culture by “focusing on hiring laterals with those attitudes.”

Another integral part of the culture is “pro bono, which comes hand in hand with being here; it’s extremely rewarding work,” an interviewee gushed. “You get to meet people from across the firm who you might not come across at this stage in your career.” From asylum cases to advising charities, there is plenty to get involved in. Trainees can volunteer with Not Beyond Redemption, providing free family law advice to women in prison; APPPEAL, a charity and law practice that fights miscarriages of justice and advocates for reform of the criminal justice system; and Z2K, helping clients who need low income or disability benefits in London: “As a trainee, you can take the lead on a project and its strategy (with the supervisor there for your questions!).” Trainees can even propose their own matters to the firm – “this says a lot about how it’s valued!”

“I’ve got to rate the firm highly; I know they care – I don’t have to worry about talking about it and receiving eye rolls in response.”

As for diversity, equity and inclusion, one admitted, “I’ve got to rate the firm highly; I know they care – I don’t have to worry about talking about it and receiving eye rolls in response.” Insiders acknowledged that “MoFo is good at recognising gaps and doing more regarding those areas.” Plenty of events are hosted by MoFo Women, MoFo Together for ethnic diversity, and MoFo Proud for LGBTQ+ employees, with brunches, newsletters, and talks on the agenda. One interviewee highlighted, “and both MoFo Women and Together have lots of events, such as book clubs discussing various social issues.” Some reflected, “It was important to join a firm where I felt supported and where senior members can progress in a positive culture.”

On the social calendar, there are the annual Christmas and summer parties to look forward to: “They’re always incredible.” Trainees get a budget for social events, and there is also a mentorship budget for coffees and lunches to foster connections. Some departments are more sociable than others, with ad hoc drinks and team dinners being commonplace. “It’s nice to take the time as a team to have dinner together and share personal stories… It builds the team spirit that shines through,” an interviewee praised.

“Paying the highest salary is a sign the firm is serious about being at the forefront of the London market.”

Though, being an American firm, there may be less time in your schedule for social events than you’d like. Insiders noted that, although hours fluctuate, they roughly finish between 6pm to 9pm. With post-midnight deal finishes, “it never feels like you’re the only person pulling a late one.” The consensus was that a busy week can look like “60 hours.” However, the trainee salary starts at £60k, soaring up to an eye-watering $225k upon qualification – “paying the highest salary is a sign the firm is serious about being at the forefront of the London market.”

Kicking off qualification, the attorney talent team release the job list and second years submit “a short piece about why you are applying and what you want to do there. One of the benefits of being part of a smaller office is that it makes for a less formal process,” though the latter stage of the process is largely department dependent. The firm did not disclose its 2024 retention rate.

How to get a Morrison Foerster training contract

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Vacation scheme deadline (2024): 13 January 2025

Training contract deadline (2025): 13 January 2025 (MoFo only recruits through its vacation scheme)

Online application form

Morrison Foerster (MoFo) only recruits trainees through its vacation scheme and asks candidates to apply by completing an online application form on the careers section of the MoFo website. A 2:1 degree and AAB at A-Level are a must at this stage; however, the firm will take mitigating circumstances into consideration.

Any work experience is a plus, but not a requirement.  Hattie Lodge, Attorney Recruiting  Manager tells us, “[In applications] Detail your achievements and experiences; even from a non-law perspective as there are number of transferable skills you can relate to the law. For example, with hospitality experience comes client service and time management skills. Aside from strong attention to detail, a key skill for any aspiring lawyer, a candidate can stand out  by really getting to know the Firm, studying our values, our core practice areas and sectors, and demonstrating that they’re interested in those areas and why.”

There’s not a set type of person MoFo’s on the hunt for but Lodge shares, “We’re looking for enthusiasm, but also someone who is innovative. Lots of our clients are from the technology, artificial intelligence and life sciences industries – so someone who can mirror that entrepreneurial and enthusiastic spirit that our clients have.”

Interviews

Around 50 out of the hundreds of applicants are invited to a first-round interview between January and February. The initial interview takes place with a member of the recruiting team and two associates and covers the ‘why law’ and ‘why MoFo’ questions as well as competency-based questions. There is also a legal question for those who have already studied law, or a question designed to ascertain commercial awareness or legal knowledge obtained if law has not yet been studied.

Around 30 aspiring recruits progress to attend a two-stage second interview in February to March with a member of MoFo’s graduate committee, another partner or of counsel, recruiting manager and one current trainee. Firstly, candidates are tasked with creating a five-minute presentation on a non-legal topic based on current affairs. For example, in previous years, candidates have been invited to take a position on the future of cryptocurrency, the challenges associated with electric vehicles, or the regulation of artificial intelligence. Interviewees are then asked a series of questions on their presentation.

Training Principal, Trevor James, says: “We don’t have a one-size-fits-all approach. The best interviewees come prepared and have great answers to those follow-up questions. They don’t have to agree with the interviewer, we like them to have their own point of view. It can actually be quite good if the interviewer disagrees as it allows you to show that you can hold your own. So, be prepared but not too prepared.”

Candidates then get a short break. The second part of the process involves reviewing a legal case study and discussing it with two other associates. “It’s really a conversation about how they’d approach the scenario based on the questions,” Lodge clarifies, reassuring us that “non-law students shouldn’t worry as questions are designed so they can be also be approached from a commercial perspective.”

“By the end of it, candidates will have met eight to nine people across different seniority levels, practice areas and routes into the profession giving them the opportunity to get to know the Firm, our values and culture in more detail,” Lodge tells us. “If successful, they then get an offer for the vacation scheme.”

The vacation scheme

Usually, up to 16 candidates make it onto either of the firm’s two fortnight-long vacation schemes in June and July. “They will sit in two departments, one per week. We try to give exposure to both transactional and contentious practices, so candidates get a sense of their synergies and how we operate as an office,” Lodge details. “It’s an opportunity to get involved and witness client work, to shadow your supervisor on client calls and assist other lawyers on  tasks which might be drafting or research based.”

As one trainee recalled, “I was proofreading, listening to client calls, researching and writing articles.” With benchmark assessments, students are also set an assessed research project at the start of the scheme, alongside some other quicker turnaround tasks, which assesses their ability to balance deadlines and evaluates different skill sets.

Throughout the fortnight, recruiters are keen to see students building relationships across the whole office, demonstrating their initiative, showcasing their technical ability and enjoying themselves. Feedback on performance in tasks and interactions with the team during the vacation scheme forms the basis of training contract offers. So, keep in mind who you are speaking to throughout the scheme!

Pro Bono Initiatives at MoFo

At Morrison Foerster, pro bono work is part of our DNA. Our dedicated pro bono team and our London Pro Bono Committee provide frequent opportunities for London trainees and associates to work on both domestic and international matters, ranging from providing direct services to low-income individuals, to counselling nonprofit organisations, to advising at law clinics. During 2023, MoFo lawyers devoted 74,363 hours to representing pro bono clients.

Attorneys in our London office partner with a variety of organisations on pro bono projects, such as Advocates for International Development, TrustLaw, JUSTICE, PILnet, Asylum Aid, Zacchaeus 2000 Trust (Z2K), The Chancery Lane Project, the Center for Reproductive Rights, the Nature Conservancy, Prime Advocates, and the Public International Law & Policy Group.

The London office is a member of the Collaborative Plan for Pro Bono in the UK, a law firm-led initiative to promote pro bono work, in which members commit to strive for an average of 25 pro bono hours per attorney, per year in their UK offices. Last year, our lawyers from London averaged 77 pro bono hours per attorney. Examples of work our London-based lawyers have undertaken include:

▪ Collaborating on disability benefit appeals with Z2K, a London-wide charity working to combat poverty. Since the partnership began in early 2018, numerous members of the London office — including partners, associates, trainees, and paralegals — have worked on cases for low-income, disabled clients who were receiving disability benefits that were inadequate to cover their needs. To date, we have taken on over 100 individual cases, with a success rate of over 90% for those cases that have gone to hearing.

▪ Working with Not Beyond Redemption to help mothers who are in prison, or who have left prison, and need legal assistance to maintain their relationships with their children.

▪ Assisting APPEAL, a charity and law practice that fights miscarriages of justice and advocates for reform of the criminal justice system, in overturning the life sentence of an individual who was wrongfully convicted.

▪ Advising Social Finance, a not-for profit organisation that partners with the government, the social sector, and the financial community to find better ways to tackle social problems. MoFo has worked with Social Finance on various projects, including structuring a development impact bond focused on decreasing infant mortality in Cameroon.

▪ Supporting the Kenya office of the Center for Reproductive Rights in a variety of ways to assist it in its mission of advancing reproductive rights and maternal health in Kenya. This has included drafting an amicus brief on an important case at the High Court of Kenya on behalf of an adolescent who died after suffering from complications from an unsafe abortion. The case resulted in a landmark ruling issued by the High Court of Kenya that strengthens access to safe abortion in Kenya, where, on average, seven women and girls die from unsafe abortions every day.

• Conducting research that formed the basis for reports for JUSTICE, a law reform and human rights charity working to reform the UK justice system.  These reports have included (1) Achieving Racial Justice at Inquest: A Practitioner’s Guide and (2) When Things Go Wrong: The Response of the Justice System. 

ESG at MoFo

As a founding member of Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy (LSE), an initiative launched in conjunction with the Global Climate Action Summit, Morrison Foerster has dedicated millions of dollars in pro bono legal services to this organization. Our lawyers work closely with organizations that focus on developing and bringing to scale new approaches to building a more sustainable global economy. Additionally, in 2023, Morrison Foerster announced its partnership with A4ID’s Sustainable Development Goal Legal Initiative Platform, which addresses Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Climate Action, via a Legal Guide. This Legal Guide covers how legal professionals can increase their expertise with respect to climate related topics, play a role in addressing climate justice, advise their clients with respect to climate change, and advance measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapt to climate change. 

Through a comprehensive assessment of the Firm’s GHG emissions, we have identified its major sources of emissions and areas of opportunity for reducing emissions as part of developing our GHG emission targets. By utilizing a GHG emission Inventory Management Plan (IMP), we can ensure a consistent, repeatable process in future inventory years that will be updated continually as data quality, collection processes, and reporting guidance and standards evolve.

In 2023, we completed the Firm’s first Climate Risk and Opportunity Assessment (CROA) to address the opportunities and risks related to climate change that may arise for Morrison Foerster under both low and high emissions scenarios for both the firm’s operations and strategy. The CROA found that the firm primarily faces transition risks related to its reputation due to climate in the short-term and risks from flooding and power outages in the longer-term. Addressing the supply chain is the largest area of opportunity for the firm with respect to setting and achieving a greenhouse gas emission target.

In aiming to reduce emissions along the Firm’s operations, we had developed and submitted a near-term emissions reduction target to SBTi for approval in 2023. As of June 2024, the SBTi has approved the Firm’s near-term science-based emissions reduction target to reduce the Firm’s absolute scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions 46.55% by 2030 from a 2019 base year. In targeting to reduce its scope 2 market-based GHG emissions footprint, the Firm committed to procuring 100% renewable energy for electricity consumed in our U.S. office in 2025.

To address the Firm’s supply chain, we introduced environmental sustainability questions in our RFP process to evaluate the performance of suppliers in this space, with a focus on their greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the Firm collaborated with Harbor to create an emissions module in its Spend Connect platform, which is used to support law firms in spend management and developing strategic sourcing initiatives. This added module also maps spend to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency greenhouse gas emission factors for the firm’s scope 3 greenhouse gas emission footprint. In continuing to increase supplier engagement, a vendor survey will go out to our top vendors to gain insight into their GHG emission performance and goals to support Morrison Foerster’s emission reduction goals.

For more information regarding the Firm’s internal environmental sustainability initiatives, please refer to the Environmental Sustainability Committee 2022 Annual Report.