Morrison Foerster Named a Top Firm for National Security and International Trade 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. This includes being ranked in Chambers USA 2026’s inaugural National Security category, reflecting the firm’s position as a leading advisor on complex national security, regulatory, and enforcement matters.

MoFo is one of only two firms ranked in all of the following national security categories:

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

Clients told Chambers that Morrison Foerster has “an experienced national security practice” with “high-quality sanctions and export controls lawyers” capable of handling “the most complex and sophisticated matters.” Clients also praised the team’s “deep subject matter expertise,” “clear, actionable guidance,” and “agile and pragmatic approach.”

MoFo lawyers individually recognized across the full range of categories include: 

• John Smith – Described by clients as “outstanding” and “a subject matter expert,” John Smith is a Band 1 lawyer in Chambers’ Export Controls & Economic Sanctions category. John is also recognized by The Legal 500 US for Customs, Export Controls and Economic Sanctions, as well as National Security, and by The Legal 500 Latin America for International Firms: Compliance and Investigations.
• Brandon Van Grack – Brandon Van Grack is ranked by Chambers in the International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions, Political Law, and White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations categories, and by The Legal 500 for CFIUS, Customs, Export Controls and Economic Sanctions, National Security, and M&A/Corporate Commercial: Corporate Governance. Clients praised him as “savvy,” noting he provides “practical advice” with “a deep understanding” of “very complex regulatory disciplines.”
• David Newman – Recommended by The Legal 500 for CFIUS and Customs, Export Controls and Economic Sanctions, David Newman is also a “Next Generation Partner” in the National Security category.
• Rachel Fiorill – Recommended by The Legal 500 for Customs, Export Controls and Economic Sanctions, Rachel Fiorill is also a “Next Generation Partner” in the National Security category.
• Chris Chamberlain – Chris Chamberlain is recommended by The Legal 500 for Customs, Export Controls and Economic Sanctions.
• Joseph Folio – Joseph Folio is recommended by The Legal 500 for National Security.

Since the beginning of last year (and the start of the review period reflected in these rankings), MoFo has continued to strategically expand its National Security practice with the addition of several high-profile former senior government officials who work on national security and related matters. Clients shared with The Legal 500 that they are impressed with “[t]errific new hires and group leadership such as David Newman, who brings a range of unique capabilities to the practice and really ups their game.” These individuals include:

• David Newman, who joined the firm after serving as Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for National Security at the Department of Justice (DOJ);
• Chris Chamberlain, who joined the firm after serving as a Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS);
• Margot Benedict, who joined the firm after serving in senior roles at DOJ from 2021 to 2025, including as Senior Counselor to the Attorney General;
• Kuang Chiang, who joined the firm following service earlier in her career as a Licensing Officer at the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC);
• Jason Lebowitz, who joined the firm after serving as Senior Counsel in the Office of the Chief Counsel for Industry and Security at the U.S. Department of Commerce;
• Liz Aloi, who joined the firm after spending nearly 20 years at DOJ leading high-stakes criminal and civil enforcement matters, including leading multijurisdictional matters involving money laundering, BSA/AML violations, kleptocracy, cryptocurrency, illicit finance, and asset forfeiture; and
• Kara Podraza, who joined the firm after spending years of government service working on high-stakes matters at the DOJ National Security Division, including serving as a trial attorney in the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

As national security concerns continue to shape the global regulatory and enforcement landscape, companies increasingly require integrated counsel that spans multiple disciplines and jurisdictions. Morrison Foerster’s National Security practice, led by Brandon Van Grack, John Smith, and David Newman, advises clients on a broad range of national security matters, including economic sanctions, export controls, foreign investment reviews and CFIUS, cybersecurity, and the Foreign Agents Registration Act. The practice brings together more than 50 lawyers with extensive government and private-sector experience, including former senior officials from the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Departments of Treasury, Commerce, Defense, and State, the National Security Council, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. This multidisciplinary team helps clients navigate evolving regulatory requirements, manage enforcement and compliance risks, and address the national security challenges that increasingly affect business operations, transactions, and strategic decision-making.

To view the complete list of Morrison Foerster’s rankings in the 2026 editions of both guides, please visit Chambers’ website, and The Legal 500’s website.