Morrison Foerster Named a Top Firm for National Security by Chambers and The Legal 500

Morrison Foerster’s National Security group has once again been ranked across national security categories by both Chambers USA and The Legal 500 US. Cementing its reputation as a preeminent firm for national security, MoFo is one of only five firms ranked in all of the following national security categories:

• Chambers USA – International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions
• Chambers USA – International Trade: CFIUS Experts
• The Legal 500 US – International Trade: Customs, Export Controls and Economic Sanctions
• The Legal 500 US – International Trade: CFIUS
• The Legal 500 US – International Trade: National Security

Clients told Chambers the firm has “a very deep bench for sanctions work,” describing the team as “personable, approachable and very easy to work with,” and “sensitive to urgent deadlines.” Others shared with researchers at The Legal 500 that “MoFo is a highly reputable firm with a well‑regarded CFIUS practice. They are professional, collegial, and a pleasure to work with.”

MoFo’s lawyers are also individually recognized across the full range of categories, including:

• John Smith – described by clients as “outstanding” and “a subject matter expert,” is a Band 1 lawyer in Chambers’ Export Controls & Economic Sanctions category. John is also ranked for Customs, Export Controls and Economic Sanctions and National Security by The Legal 500.
• Brandon Van Grack – ranked by Chambers in the International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions and White-Collar Crimes & Government Investigations categories, and by The Legal 500 for CFIUS, Customs, Export Controls and Economic Sanctions, and National Security. Clients compliment him for being “savvy,” exercising “good judgment,” and “understanding of what are very complex regulatory disciplines.”
• Charles Capito – ranked in Chambers’ CFIUS Experts category, and in The Legal 500’s CFIUS and National Security categories. “Charles Capito is really bright and good on CFIUS. He is very approachable and easy to work with,” clients told Chambers.
• Rachel Fiorill – recommended by The Legal 500 for Customs, Export Controls and Economic Sanctions, is also a “Next Generation Partner” in the National Security category.
• James Brower – ranked as an “Up and Coming” CFIUS Expert by Chambers, is also a “Next Generation Partner” in The Legal 500’s CFIUS and National Security rankings. Clients told Chambers he is “incredibly knowledgeable and has a deep understanding of the latest developments.”

Since the time period reflected in these rankings, MoFo has continued to strategically expand its national security practice, including the additions earlier this year of David Newman, who returned to the Firm after serving from 2022–2025 at the Department of Justice (DOJ) as Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the National Security Division, and Margot Benedict, who returned to the Firm after serving at the DOJ as Senior Counselor to the Attorney General. We have also bolstered our capabilities in the trade and tariff space.

As navigating the national security landscape increasingly requires expertise across multiple disciplines to understand and comply with the government’s expanding and overlapping enforcement and regulatory efforts, Morrison Foerster’s National Security practice, led by John Smith, Brandon Van Grack, and David Newman, provides strategic advice to clients on all aspects of national security issues, including economic and trade sanctions, export controls, foreign direct investment regimes (e.g., CFIUS), cybersecurity, and the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Our interdisciplinary practice group approach brings together colleagues with extensive experience from across our global footprint. Members of our team have held key roles at the DOJ, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and Office of Investment Security, the Department of Defense, the Department of Commerce, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the National Security Council, among others.

To view the complete list of Morrison Foerster’s rankings in the 2025 editions of both guides, please visit Chambers’ website, and The Legal 500’s website.