About Us

Eric is the Chair of Morrison Foerster.

Eric has been a trusted advisor on hundreds of public and private M&A, private equity, and financing transactions over the course of his career. As part of his market-leading M&A practice, he counsels strategic acquirers and targets in a variety of industries, including technology (semiconductors, software, AR/VR, fintech, AI), healthcare, consumer products, financial institutions, media, gaming, and transportation. He represents leading U.S. and global companies and regularly advises on complex cross-border transactions.

Eric is regularly recognized by leading publications, including The Legal 500 US and Chambers USA, with client sources describing him as “greatly skilled at advising on the most complex and high-profile M&A transactions” and noting that he “combines strong technical skills and a flair for complexity with commercial awareness, pragmatism and sound judgment.”

Larren Nashelsky served as the chair of Morrison Foerster from 2012 to 2022, before retiring in July 2023. As chair, he oversaw a period of phenomenal success for the firm, driven by the strategic needs of the firm’s clients. Today, MoFo is a global powerhouse, translating our litigation and transactional experience and talent into client success.

During Larren’s leadership, the firm’s global footprint expanded, with new offices opened in Berlin, Boston, Singapore, Miami, and Austin. Through it all, the firm remained true to its unique culture and values. Larren was dedicated to continuing and building on MoFo’s proud legacy of leadership in inclusion and engagement. Similarly, he was committed to advancing pro bono and community service work, which are part of MoFo’s DNA.

Prior to serving as chair of MoFo, Larren served as a firmwide managing partner and founded and led Morrison Foerster’s Business Restructuring + Insolvency Group.

Keith Wetmore served as chair of Morrison Foerster from 2000 to 2012, and as chair emeritus from 2012 to 2017, before moving on to another leadership role outside of the firm. During his tenure, he took the lead in setting policy and providing strategic direction to the firm. Under Keith’s leadership, the firm expanded internationally and in the United States in key financial and technology centers, and was ranked on The American Lawyer A-List for nine consecutive years.

Before becoming chair, Keith led the firm’s 50-lawyer Finance and Infrastructure practice, bringing to his engagements 20 years’ experience in debt and lease finance, both domestic and international. He represented money center banks as agents in syndicated credit facilities, including multibillion-dollar working capital and acquisition financings, as well as smaller transactions, with particular emphasis in the technology and forest products sectors.

Steve Dunham served as Chair of Morrison Foerster from 1996 to 2000.

Peter Pfister served as chair of Morrison Foerster from 1993 to 1997, with responsibility for all aspects of the firm’s professional, strategic, and financial decisions. In leading the law firm during a challenging economic downtown, Peter helped preserve Morrison Foerster’s progressive culture—including its longstanding commitment to pro bono work and its professional values—while improving the state of the firm’s finances. As the San Francisco Daily Journal reported of his leadership, “Peter proved to be the leader of character and integrity that Morrison needed.”

Before becoming chair of the firm, Peter served as a managing partner from 1990 to 1993, responsible for coordinating all practice areas in the firm’s 14 offices at the time. From 1986 to 1990, he served as chair of Morrison Foerster’s firmwide Litigation Department. After stepping down as chair, Peter served for many years as one of the firm’s general counsel. In that capacity and until he retired in 2020, Peter was called upon as Morrison Foerster’s Dispute Resolution Partner to resolve issues relating to all aspects of the firm’s practice.

Peter’s litigation practice included antitrust, securities, intellectual property, and professional liability actions.

Carl Leonard served as Chair of Morrison Foerster from 1984 to 1993.

Marshall Small served as chair of Morrison Foerster from 1982 to 1986, and in 1996 became the firm’s first general counsel, a title he held until 2013. Marshall joined the firm in 1954 and was the first Jewish lawyer hired by the firm. Over the next 40 years, Marshall became a preeminent leader in corporate and securities law. Marshall was elected to the partnership in 1961 and went on to hold numerous leadership positions, including managing partner from 1971 to 1976.

Marshall represented what is best about Morrison Foerster and was instrumental in creating the partnership culture we have today. He was an outstanding mentor to all who worked with him. It was more than a technical mastery of his field that attracted both partners and associates to his office for consultation. Marshall championed the importance of inclusion and was dedicated to pro bono work, including a case where he was appointed by the U.S. Supreme Court to protect the rights of a San Quentin prisoner.

Marshall was with the firm for 65 years and was one of the most important people in the history of Morrison Foerster.

Robert Raven served as Chair of Morrison Foerster from 1978 to 1982.