Morrison & Foerster history

1883 Alexander Francis Morrison and Thomas V. O'Brien form San Francisco law firm O'Brien and Morrison.

1974 The Los Angeles office is opened.

In 1979 the firm added operations in Denver and Washington, D.C. A year later, Morrison & Foerster went international, opening a London office.

Also in 1980 the firm added a Saudi Arabia office through acquisition, but it proved to be a misstep.

A 1983 Price Waterhouse report revealed that Morrison & Foerster's net income per partner had slipped well below the median of rival San Francisco law firms.

In 1987 Morrison & Foerster established a beachhead in New York City by acquiring the 22-attorney firm of Parker Auspitz Neesemann & Delhanty.

Renewed Expansion: 1995 and Beyond

2000 The northern Virginia office opens.

In 2001, Morrison & Foerster opened an office in Century City to supplement the Los Angeles branch and focus on the needs of the worldwide entertainment industry.

Named the Japan International Law Advisers of the Year by Chambers Asia-Pacific, marking the eighth year since the award was created in 2011 that the firm has received the honor.

Named to the 2019 Appellate Hot List in recognition of outstanding achievements before the United States Supreme Court, federal circuit courts, and state courts.

Ranked among the top three “601+ lawyers” firms for attorneys of color in its 2020 Diversity Snapshot.

Named to the 2021 Best Places to Work List, an exclusive ranking of the Massachusetts companies that have built outstanding work environments for their people.

Ranked #6 on its 2022 Diversity Scorecard.