Morrison & Foerster LLP

Morrison & Foerster -- affectionately known as MoFo -- is a San Francisco institution that has built one of the strongest technology and intellectual property practices in the world. If you want sophisticated tech transactional work with a West Coast lifestyle, MoFo deserves a hard look.

MoFo's technology transactions and IP litigation practices are consistently top-ranked, advising the biggest names in tech on everything from patent portfolios to cross-border data privacy. The firm's capital markets practice is elite, particularly in tech-sector IPOs and SPACs. With approximately 1,020 attorneys and $3.6M in profits per partner, MoFo combines genuine BigLaw sophistication with a culture that does not take itself too seriously. The free-market system gives associates real autonomy in shaping their careers, and the 1,950-hour billable target is reasonable by BigLaw standards.

MoFo has long been recognized as one of the more livable BigLaw firms, with a culture that values personality and diverse interests alongside legal excellence. Associates report strong formal training programs supplemented by hands-on experience, and the firm's commitment to pro bono is genuine -- this is not a box-checking exercise. The summer program of roughly 78 associates is well-structured, with real assignments and candid feedback. Partners are accessible and invested in associate development, and the San Francisco headquarters fosters a more relaxed atmosphere than a typical New York tower.

MoFo's OCI process involves interviews typically conducted by partners, with behavioral questions and a focus on building rapport. Callbacks include meetings with four to six attorneys, and the firm offers flexibility between virtual and in-person formats. The firm has increasingly moved toward direct hiring alongside traditional OCI, filling roughly half its class through early outreach. Come prepared to discuss your interest in technology law specifically -- generic BigLaw answers will not differentiate you here. Understanding MoFo's unique position as a tech-focused global firm based outside New York is essential.