Max Olson, former Managing Partner of the LA office, brings significant Japan experience; Mark Danis, former firm-wide Managing Partner for Operations, adds major expertise in IP disputes

Tokyo, August 16, 2006 – Signaling further growth in its Japan operations, Morrison & Foerster has added two prominent litigators, Max Olson and Mark Danis, to its Tokyo office to further strengthen its U.S. litigation team, based in Tokyo.

Mr. Olson, who was formerly Managing Partner of the Los Angeles office, will belong to the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group. His practice includes patent litigation, patent license negotiations, and international arbitration in the United States. Mr. Olson previously practiced in Morrison & Foerster’s Tokyo office from 1996 to 2000 as a foreign lawyer licensed in Japan, and has worked on significant litigation, arbitration, licensing and related matters for Japanese companies in the United States.

Mr. Danis comes to Tokyo from the firm’s San Diego office and was formerly one of three firm-wide Managing Partners for Operations. His practice focuses on the trial and arbitration of intellectual property disputes in the United States, including patent and trade secret matters, as well as other complex civil actions. He has represented companies in the fields of software, hardware, biotechnology, medical devices, energy, and food products.

Ken Siegel, Managing Partner of Morrison & Foerster's Tokyo office, welcomed the two new additions to the office, "It will be terrific to have Max and Mark in Tokyo. Litigation is one of our core strengths and distinguishing features. We are the only international firm in Tokyo with a full team of experienced U.S. litigation lawyers licensed in Japan, and having Mark and Max here will help us further expand our work in this critical area for our clients."

Mr. Olson earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Michigan, and simultaneously received his M.A. and B.A., magna cum laude, from Harvard University.

Mr. Danis earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and his B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley.