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Morrison Foerster Continues Its Leadership in Chambers USA 2026 Technology Rankings

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In its 2026 guide, Chambers USA has identified Morrison Foerster’s Technology Group as a market leader MoFo for the fourth...

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In its 2026 guide, Chambers USA has identified Morrison Foerster’s Technology Group as a market leader MoFo for the fourth consecutive year was awarded Band 1 rankings in both the Nationwide: Technology and California: Technology categories. Additionally, the firm was ranked in New York. Morrison Foerster is the only firm in the nation to be ranked Band 1 by Chambers USA in these technology categories, in addition to being ranked Band 1 in Artificial Intelligence. <h4>Performance Highlights </h4><ul><li>Morrison Foerster has been ranked Band 1 in National Technology for 4 consecutive years </li><li>Morrison Foerster is one of the top 3 firm to be ranked Band 1 in California Technology </li><li>Morrison Foerster is one of the top 2 firm to be ranked Band 1 in Nationwide Technology & AI </li><li>Morrison Foerster is 1 of 7 firms to be ranked Band 1 in Nationwide AI </li></ul>Clients highlight Morrison Foerster’s strengths, noting: “The team has outstanding business-oriented lawyers and are the best at tackling new business [technology] problems with creative solutions.” Others reiterated this sentiment: “The team's strength is in their ability to provide high-level strategies and detailed options.” Seven MoFo lawyers achieved individual rankings for technology, including at the national level, as well as in California, New York, and Texas: <ul><li>Tessa Schwartz has been ranked Band 1 for Technology nationally and in California. "She is incredibly thorough, commercially minded and well-versed in the most current topics,” say clients. </li><li>Aaron Rubin is highlighted by Chambers for Technology in California. Clients report "his depth of experience and understanding of nuanced company positions and how to protect us on those, is really amazing." </li><li>William Schwartz is a Band 1 lawyer for Technology in California and also continues to be ranked nationally. Clients describe him as “an outstanding lawyer who can find commercial solutions for any new technology." </li><li>Anthony Ramirez is ranked for Technology in New York. Clients praise his “dedicated practice on the representation of media, technology and communications companies.” </li><li>Stephanie Sharron is highly ranked for Technology in California. Clients shared with Chambers that “Stephanie Sharron is a particular expert in data rights and analytics matters, including in the context of commercial transactions. She is experienced in issues relating to machine learning, fintech and cybersecurity, among others.” </li></ul><ul><li>Steve Tyndall is ranked in Chambers’ Texas Technology: Corporate & Commercial category. Clients highlight Steve’s “strong experience in handling M&A and other transactional matters in the technology space.” </li><li>Justin Haan is recognized for California Technology. Clients describe Justin as “an up-and-coming talent who has experience in advising significant clients in the technology sector. He is especially knowledgeable of AI.” </li></ul>To view the complete list of Morrison Foerster’s rankings in the 2026 edition of Chambers USA, please visit the <a href="https://chambers.com/law-firm/morrison-foerster-usa-5:7854" target="_blank">publication’s website</a>.

Morrison Foerster Continues Its Leadership in Chambers USA 2026 Technology Rankings

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Tessa Schwartz has an active practice counseling companies on intellectual property issues, and negotiating complex intellectual property and commercial agreements. She advises on a range of strategic transactions, including key patent licenses and acquisitions, technology procurement agreements, and complex development, collaboration, joint-venture and distribution deals. Tessa also regularly advises companies on the IP aspects of their M&A transactions.In addition to maintaining an active practice and working with clients on a daily basis, Tessa is co-chair of the firm’s Technology Industry Group, founder and co-chair of the firm’s Artificial Intelligence Group and previously served as co-chair of the global Transactions Department.Tessa advises clients primarily in technology and data intensive sectors, representing artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, machine learning, software, SaaS, cloud computing, hardware, consumer electronics and products, social media, Internet, mobility and wireless, space and satellites, e-commerce, advertising, healthcare, fintech, transportation, semiconductor, and other companies. Tessa’s M&A experience includes advising Autodesk, Fortive, Honeywell, Palo Alto Networks, Salesforce, Uber, Unilever, Unity, Walmart, and others on the IP aspects of strategic transactions. Tessa provides clients with prelitigation and litigation advice. She frequently advises executives and senior management on strategic business, legal and commercial issues, including the structuring of transactions, risk management and contract compliance. She also counsels clients with respect to a wide variety of IP issues, including patent exhaustion and implied licenses, standing and standards, the protection of data and other trade secrets and the development and distribution of open-source software.In addition to her transactional expertise, Tessa’s litigation background includes representing clients in arbitration, as well as in state and federal courts in such areas as antitrust, false advertising, unfair competition, breach of contract, securities, trademark, copyright and trade secret law. Her litigation experience includes complex, multidistrict and class action litigation, as well as appellate advocacy.Tessa has been ranked in Chambers and Legal 500, with clients describing her as, “one of the best attorneys I've ever worked with.” Tessa has been recognized by Chambers USA 2022 as being highly experienced in the field of technology and intellectual property transactions. Clients have commented on Tessa as having "...the ability to translate complex topics into what's necessary to get a deal done. She does a good job of making our technology accessible”. Further, Tessa "ticks all of the essential boxes, timely, efficient, knowledgeable and helpful, but she really stands out by taking time to learn our business and our products so she can give practical and actionable advice. Tessa helps us focus on key issues and balance risks to make choices."Tessa’s pro bono efforts have included work for The Biomimicry Institute, Goodwill, Common Sense Media, Business for Social Responsibility, The World Wildlife Fund, Build Change and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB). She also provides IP advice to a variety of cultural, media and arts organizations; and other assistance for nonprofits. She recently received the Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services from the State Bar of California.Tessa received her B.A. magna cum laude from Harvard College in 1991. In 1996, she earned her J.D. from the University of California at Los Angeles, where she was elected to the Order of the Coif.Tessa served as global managing partner of Morrison Foerster from 2016 to 2022 and previously served as co-chair of the firm’s Technology Transactions Group.

Tessa Schwartz

Partner

Aaron is the co-chair of the Interactive + Digital Media Group and former chair of the firm’s Technology Transactions Group. He advises clients on a wide range of complex transactions involving intellectual property and technology, including structuring and negotiating strategic licensing, development, collaboration, procurement, and distribution arrangements.Aaron’s practice focuses on advising both established and emerging companies in data- and technology-intensive sectors, with a particular emphasis on AI and interactive and digital media (including social platforms, AR/VR, gaming, and streaming). He also regularly works with clients in autonomous vehicles, Healthtech, Fintech, Adtech, and broader software and consumer technology markets. His work often sits at the intersection of product, data, IP, and commercial relationships, particularly in connection with AI-driven and platform-based business models and emerging technologies.He also maintains an active practice counseling companies on branding and marketing, trademark licensing, and content-related transactions, as well as the intellectual property aspects of mergers, acquisitions, asset spinoffs, and private equity investments.He has represented leading technology companies such as OpenAI, Meta, ElevenLabs, Visa, Autodesk, General Motors, Honda, and Rivian, among others.Aaron has been recognized by numerous publications for his work on market-defining technology transactions and is currently ranked by Chambers USA for “Technology Transactions.”Aaron also serves as co-editor of Socially Aware, the firm’s award-winning newsletter and blog devoted to the law and business of social platforms, and regularly publishes on various IP and technology-related topics. He is a sought-after speaker on new and emerging areas of law and is a frequent presenter and panelist at conferences and legal services programs.In addition to his active practice, Aaron regularly provides pro bono assistance to various nonprofit and charitable organizations such as Common Sense Media and the Starlight Children’s Foundation. He is a member of the board of directors of California Lawyers for the Arts.While in law school at the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law, Aaron served as executive editor of the California Law Review and was elected to the Order of the Coif. Following law school, Aaron served as a law clerk to the Honorable William H. Orrick and the Honorable Martin J. Jenkins, both United States District Judges for the Northern District of California.

Aaron P. Rubin

Mr. Schwartz concentrates his practice on the representation of companies in business transactions and counseling involving intellectual property and technology, including licensing, development agreements, distribution and commercialization activities, joint ventures, outsourcing, and other services arrangements. He was the founding co-head of Morrison & Foerster’s Intellectual Property Group and has served as the firm’s managing partner.Mr. Schwartz is particularly active on transactional and counseling matters relating to computers (including hardware and both open source and proprietary software), communications equipment (including smartphones and other wireless communications devices, internet television, satellites, and other communications infrastructure), semiconductors and other electronic devices, electronic commerce, and other advanced information technology. He has represented clients such as Accenture, Altera, Autodesk, Mozilla, Netflix, Palo Alto Networks, Panasonic, Red Hat, Softbank, Sprint Nextel, Visa, Whirlpool, VMware, and Yahoo, among others.Mr. Schwartz is a frequent presenter on information technology and intellectual property issues. For example, he has lectured in the MBA program at Oxford University, and was a visiting fellow of Oxford’s Centre for Socio-Legal Studies. He also served as an adjunct instructor at Stanford Law School and lectured at the University of California (Boalt Hall) School of Law, University of Southern California Computer Law Institute, Licensing Executives Society, and American Intellectual Property Law Association.Mr. Schwartz received his B.A. degree, with high honors, from Amherst College in 1976. He studied Japanese language and history from 1976 to 1977 at Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan, and then worked in Tokyo and Hong Kong as a reporter and editor for the Asian edition of The Wall Street Journal from 1977 to 1980. He received his J.D. degree, with honors, in 1983 from the University of Chicago Law School, where he was an editor of The University of Chicago Law Review. Following law school, he served as a law clerk to Judge John D. Butzner, Jr., United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. He joined Morrison & Foerster in 1984 and became a partner of the firm in 1990.Representative Matters<div id="scoped-content"><ul><li>Autodesk in the technology and intellectual property aspects of various transactions.</li><li>Dexcom, a San Diego-based medical device manufacturer that markets a continuous glucose monitoring device for use by people with diabetes, in a patent licensing agreement with Abbott.</li><li>SoftBank on intellectual property aspects of its $1 billion investment in OneWeb for low Earth orbit satellites to provide global broadband access.</li><li>Palo Alto Networks in its patent cross-license with Juniper Networks relating to (among other things) network security technology. </li><li>Panasonic in its disputes and settlements with Qualcomm regarding patents relating to mobile communications equipment. </li><li>Qwest in a variety of intellectual property and information technology matters, including the intellectual property and technology aspects of Qwest’s sale of its Dex directory publishing business in a $7.05 billion leveraged buyout, Qwest’s agreements with IBM and Hewlett-Packard for the establishment and outsourcing of Internet services facilities, and Qwest’s strategic relationship with BellSouth. </li><li>Red Hat in its agreement with Microsoft for offering Red Hat Enterprise Linux on Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing infrastructure.</li><li>Sprint Nextel in its agreements with Qualcomm and other companies in connection with the development, licensing and deployment of technology for the next generation of Sprint Nextel’s wireless telecommunications services. </li><li>SUSE (formerly Novell) in the formation of Open Invention Network, a company formed by SUSE, IBM, Philips, Red Hat, Sony, NEC and Google to promote the Linux operating system by using an innovative model for patents and in SUSE’s dispute with The SCO Group concerning Unix-related copyrights. </li><li>Visa in its agreement with a major investment bank to establish a customized payments platform to provide differentiated experiences for merchants and cardholders.</li><li>VMware and its AirWatch subsidiary in a patent license agreement with Good Technology relating to mobile device management (MDM). </li><li>Yahoo and SoftBank, the largest shareholders of Alibaba Group (the leading PRC-based online and mobile commerce company), in the intellectual property aspects of the carve-out and restructuring of Alipay and Alibaba’s other financial services businesses.</li></ul></div>

William Schwartz

Senior Of Counsel

Anthony Ramirez is a partner in the Technology Transactions Group in the New York office of Morrison Foerster.Anthony advises clients on general commercial and transactional matters. He regularly advises companies on the IP aspects of their M&A transactions. His clients include technology, digital media and content for television and music, financial services, and communications companies with diverse intellectual property assets and issues.His practice focuses on the legal aspects of developing, licensing, and commercializing technology and intellectual property, as well as negotiating general commercial contracts, including outsourcing transactions, as well as content and data licenses. He regularly assists clients with legal issues relating to licensing and commercialization of digital media and content, digital content that is distributed over the Internet or streamed, mobile applications and social media, as well as the licensing of recorded music for distribution via digital platforms. Anthony is also experienced with issues relating to open-source software, software development, artificial intelligence and machine learning, cloud-based technology, and protection of proprietary information.Anthony has extensive experience working on matters involving disruptive technologies, such as blockchain. He has helped fintech clients with general intellectual property issues in connection with terms of service for online financial products and services.Anthony is an integral part of the outside pro bono legal team for nonprofit organizations based in New York, including advising clients on legal issues regarding entertainment, social media, privacy rights, and the negotiation of outsourcing and service agreements. Anthony received his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School in 2009. He received his B.S. from Cornell University in 2004.

Anthony Ramirez

Stephanie is a trusted advisor to companies with respect to technology and life sciences transactions, related IP counseling, and responsible tech and AI governance practices.Stephanie represents both private and public companies, from emerging growth through the Fortune 50. For over 25 years, her practice has focused on helping companies that leverage data through technology.Stephanie serves on the Responsible AI Venture Council, part of the recently launched Lucas Institute for Venture Ethics at Santa Clara University’s Markkula Center for Applied Ethics and currently serves as an advisor to certain research projects of the Institute. Stephanie is also a member of the firm’s global Sustainability + Corporate Responsibility and FinTech steering committees.In addition to publishing on a variety of legal topics related to AI, since 2016, Stephanie has taught as a guest lecturer on data licensing and other IP-related topics in Cornell Law School’s Technology and Entrepreneurship LLM program at CornellTech and has served as a guest lecturer at Cornell Law School.

Stephanie Sharron

Steve Tyndall is a corporate partner based in the firm’s Austin office.Steve has over 20 years of experience in corporate and securities law. He advises emerging and established companies at every step of their evolution, counseling on a broad range of corporate and transactional matters including venture financings, public and private offerings of equity and debt securities, mergers and acquisitions, and joint ventures.Steve also provides corporate governance guidance to his clients, including in connection with the preparation of periodic reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with respect to publicly held companies.While Steve advises across a wide range of industries, he offers particular experience in the energy-related technology and life sciences spaces.<h4>Representative Experience</h4><ul><li>Has advised public and private companies, private equity and venture funds, and Board committees in mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and other strategic transactions with an aggregate transaction value in excess of $1.5 billion.</li><li>Has represented issuers and investment banks in public offerings of equity and debt transactions with an aggregate transaction value in excess of $3 billion.</li><li>Has represented issuers and investors in private placements with an aggregate transaction value in excess of $500 million.</li></ul><h4>Rankings</h4><ul><li>Chambers USA: Technology: Corporate & Commercial (2020 – 2023)</li><li>Legal 500 US 2023: M&A / Corporate and Commercial: M&A: Large Deals ($1BN+)</li></ul>

Steven Tyndall

Justin Haan is the chair of the firm's Technology Transactions Group, advising leading technology industry pioneers to help them navigate their most critical IP and technology needs.Justin’s practice focuses on transactions and counseling involving intellectual property and technology, including licensing arrangements, technology transfers, and joint development activities. Justin structures, drafts, and negotiates a wide range of commercial agreements, including software and content licenses, service agreements, reseller arrangements, and collaboration, manufacturing, supply and distribution agreements. He advises clients on the development, procurement and commercialization of cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, augmented/virtual reality, semiconductors, data centers, cloud computing services, autonomous vehicles, and unmanned aircraft systems.  Justin also counsels clients on open source software, complex patent-related transactions, and the intellectual property aspects of M&A transactions. Justin’s experience includes advising OpenAI, Arm, Autodesk, Meta, Salesforce, SoftBank, Unity, and others on the IP aspects of complex projects involving cutting-edge technologies and fast-evolving areas of law. Justin serves on the firm’s AI industry committee, where he helps to lead and collaborate with attorneys across multiple practices on the rapid advances of generative AI. Justin is also a sought–after speaker and thought leader on artificial intelligence and has spoken at SXSW on the subject of multimodal AI.Before joining the firm, Justin was an intellectual property associate in the New York office of another global law firm.Justin received his J.D., with a certificate in law and technology, from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, where he won the Prosser Prize in intellectual property in the entertainment industries and was an articles editor for the Berkeley Technology Law Journal. He received his A.B. from Harvard University.