Outspoken. Reserved. Independent-minded. Intense. Laid-back. Serious. Funny. All of these adjectives describe the people of Morrison & Foerster. We are a collection of individuals with different personalities, outlooks, backgrounds and experiences. We share the view that our differences make a difference. We value the perspectives that the diversity of our lawyers and staff brings to our firm. We believe that in our open-minded and collaborative environment it is easier for individuals to say what they really think, to conceptualize new solutions to problems and to embrace fresh ideas.

We have had an active, firmwide diversity program for more than a decade. Morrison & Foerster consistently ranks at the top of surveys addressing workplace diversity, the hiring of minority lawyers and women. We are among the top firms in The American Lawyer's "A-List" rankings of U.S. law firms, which measure associate satisfaction, lawyer diversity, pro bono work and financial performance. The 2010-2011 Vault survey ranked us the number six law firm in the country for diversity, the number six firm for gays and lesbians and the number eight firm for minorities.

Women, minority and openly gay and lesbian lawyers currently serve, or have served, in important leadership positions within the firm, including as Chair of the Firm, on our Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Our lawyers are active in leading and participating in bar and other initiatives to promote diversity within the legal community. Our commitment to mentoring our lawyers and maintaining a diverse workplace contributes to associate retention and flows upward to the diversity of our partnership.

Our lawyers are graduates of over 87 U.S. and 70 international law schools. Many of our lawyers have been government officials. More than 327 of our lawyers have advanced degrees in addition to their law degrees. Our lawyers are fluent in 26 foreign languages.

In 2011, lawyers of color account for 11% of partners, 36% of associates and 41% of summer associates. Women account for 17% of partners, 46% of associates and 49% of summer associates.

Our Workplace Rankings

The following is a representative list of awards and recognition that the firm has received for its support and promotion of diversity and for its workplace policies.

Fortune magazine-One of Fortune magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For," three times.

Catalyst Award - the prestigious Catalyst Award is presented annually to corporations and professional firms that demonstrate a commitment to the leadership development of female employees. Morrison & Foerster was one of three organizations to be honored by Catalyst in 1993 and one of the three law firms to have ever received the award.

The American Lawyer's A-List-listed for the past eight consecutive years as one of the leading U.S. law firms in the survey, which measures associate satisfaction, lawyer diversity, pro bono work and financial performance.

In the Vault survey "Guide to the Top 100 Law Firms," Morrison & Foerster has ranked number one among law firms for diversity five times in the past ten years.

Working Mother magazine - Working Mother magazine has recognized Morrison & Foerster as one of the "100 of the Best Companies" 13 times in recognition of our support of both the career advancement and the family life of employees.

Working Mother magazine & Flex Time Lawyers - the firm was recognized by Working Mother magazine and Flex-Time Lawyers as one of the "Best Law Firms for Women" in the inaugural 2007 "Best Law Firms for Women" survey and again in 2008 and 2009 and 2011.

Minority Corporate Counsel Association - the firm received the Thomas L. Sager Award for its commitment to hiring, retaining and promoting minority lawyers in 2001 and 2003.

Minority Law Journal - the firm was recognized by the Minority Law Journal as eighth in diversity among U.S. law firms nationwide in 2011.

MultiCultural Law magazine - the firm was ranked 2nd in their 2011 "Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity" survey and in their 2011 "Top 100 Law Firms for Women," "Top 100 Law Firms for Hispanic (American)," and "Top 100 Law Firms for Asian-American" surveys

NAPABA Diversity Award - in 2008 the firm was honored with the inaugural Diversity Award from the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) for the firm's commitment and success with diversity especially in the recruitment, retention, advancement, and promotion of APA attorneys.

Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index 2003-2011 - the firm has received a 100% Perfect Ranking every year since 2003 in this annual report on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in corporate America.