Christopher C. McKinnon

Christopher C. McKinnon
Partner

425 Market Street

San Francisco, CA 94105-2482

cmckinnon@mofo.com

(415) 268-7326

BAR ADMISSIONS

California

EDUCATION

University of California, Santa Barbara, B.A.

New York University School of Law, J.D.

Chris represents venture capital investors, private equity firms, and emerging and established companies in corporate finance and securities matters, including venture capital, growth equity and private equity investments, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, restructurings, and other strategic transactions.

Chris has significant experience advising on complex deals involving high-growth, venture-backed companies in the technology industry (AI, Fintech, AR/VR, semiconductors, software). For private equity sponsors, he advises on investment fund transactions, buyouts, and divestitures. For entrepreneurs, he advises fast-growing emerging companies throughout their lifecycle, from formation through exit.

Before rejoining Morrison Foerster, Chris advised a leading global investment firm, as associate general counsel and legal director, on cross-border investment and M&A transactions. Leveraging that experience, Chris provides clients with creative, business-forward, and solutions-oriented advice.

Chris has been recognized as a top-tier advisor by numerous leading publications, including the Financial TimesVenture Capital JournalSan Francisco Business Times, and Daily Journal. He is on the leadership committee of the ABA’s Private Equity and Venture Capital Committee and frequent author and speaker on investment- and M&A-related topics and trends.

At NYU School of Law, Chris was a Lederman Fellow in Law & Economics and on the executive board of the NYU Journal of Law & Business. He majored in business economics as an undergraduate at University of California, Santa Barbara.

Rankings

Most Innovative Lawyer in Science and Technology

Financial Times 2025

Top 40 Under 40 Lawyers

Daily Journal 2025

Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation

Lawdragon 2025

Rising Star

Venture Capital Journal 2025

40 Under 40 List

San Francisco Business Times 2025