Morrison & Foerster LLP

01 August 2007

Morrison & Foerster LLP in Who's Who Legal: California

The firm covers a huge range of practice areas, as indicated by the breadth of chapters its representatives appear in.


Commercial litigation is “part of the backbone of the firm” and it attracted a large number of votes for its two representatives, both of whom specialise in antitrust litigation. “One of the state’s big names”, James Brosnahan was identified as “great for high-profile controversial cases”. Melvin Goldman’s candidacy was greeted no less effusively for matters such as his representation of Bank of America. Commercial Arbitration is another strong point for the firm. Practice group chair Cedric Chao, who has US and international experience, is “very fine counsel”.


Environment law proved another strong suit, with the inclusion in our chapter of Michèle Corash and Peter Hsiao from the firm’s “formidable group”. A “very creative lawyer”, Corash has served as general counsel to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Interviewees highlighted the contribution she has made through her work with legislatures and government agencies. Hsiao heads the land use and environmental group in Los Angeles and recently reached a $147 million settlement to clean up environmental contamination at San Francisco International Airport. MoFo’s energy practice is home to Walnut Creek lawyer Gordon Erspamer, a “tough negotiator” who is noted for his electricity, and oil and gas work. The “very highly regarded” energy practice co-chair Peter Hanschen’s dispute resolution proficiency was also admired, as was his regulatory work. In the competition chapter, litigation partner Penelope Preovolos was recommended as being an “outstanding counsellor and very savvy on antitrust distribution and financing”. Particular note was made of her work on section 17200 of the California Business and Professions Code as well as her record on litigation matters. Aviation lawyer James Huston made a strong showing, attracting plaudits for his accident and contract litigation. Raymond Wheeler is another leading light, this time in the management labour and employment research, where his tenacious approach was much admired.


The firm’s corporate credentials shine through thanks to the high regard in which practitioners such as San Francisco corporate tax lawyers Stuart Offer and Thomas Steele are held. Offer is senior counsel to the firm and has acted as special tax counsel to the bankruptcy trustee of Hawaiian Airlines. Clients needing advice on the tax consequences of new forms of communications technology often seek the counsel of “well regarded” Steele, chair of the firm’s West Coast state and local tax practice group. Further excellence in the financial field was credited to the firm’s private funds group, which has worked on many buy-out funds formed by major institutions in the UK and US. Charles Farman heads the corporate and securities group in the Sacramento office and co-chairs the firm’s private equity funds group, and is “very well known for private equity”. MoFo’s banking practice is also “extremely strong”, and said to have a flair for regulatory and legislative work. Consumer financial services and financial institution regulation specialist Roland Brandel represents the firm in the relevant chapter. The “exceptional reputation” of Bruce Mann earned him a place in Corporate Governance, where respondents highlighted his counsel of Seagram and Federal Express.


The “excellent” David Babbe represents Morrison & Foerster in the insurance and reinsurance chapter. Babbe’s talents as a litigator attracted plaudits, as did his work on environmental coverage as well as D&O and accountants’ liability. In the mergers and acquisitions research, Robert Townsend, the chair of the firm’s corporate practice group, was praised for his national and cross-border practice. His work on deals such as Thomson’s $2.1 billion cross-border acquisition of Technicolor from Carlton Communications was highlighted. In the real estate research, senior counsel Carl Seneker is seen as “the dean of the Californian real estate bar”. He leads the charge in terms of nominations, receiving more than any other practitioner in the chapter. Seneker’s numerous transactions on behalf of the Bank of America were noted.


Intellectual property adds another string to the firm’s bow. For landmark cases such as its representation of Lasting Impressions, MoFo’s trademarks practice is held in high esteem among the Californian IP community. “Outstanding expert” Thomas McCarthy, author of McCarthy on Trademarks and Unfair Competition was praised for his academic contribution to the profession. Michael Jacobs’s trademark litigation and arbitration work was noted, especially in matters concerning life sciences and high-technology. Based in the firm’s San Francisco office, Harold McElhinny represents clients on both the plaintiff’s and the defendant’s side, with clients such as Nikon to his name.

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