‘I didn’t think twice’: How Ben Summerfield made it to the top at Morrison Foerster’s London office

In an interview recently published by Financial News London, Ben Summerfield was profiled following his recent elevation to London Office Managing Partner and discussed his ambitions and plans for the London office in the new role.

When asked about stepping into the role, Ben commented: “I was told that it wouldn’t be happening immediately but get ready for it. I was honoured to be asked, I didn’t think twice. I said, ‘I’d love to do it’.”

Following Morrison Foerster’s recent spell of lateral partner growth in London, welcoming ten new partners since July 2025, Ben discussed the importance of integration when welcoming new arrivals: “Making sure that someone is going to fit in and thrive here is something that is so thoroughly tested and checked by the time people join. We’re really, really careful with how we integrate people and it’s very deliberate and planned. People don’t just come in and set up an office and it’s sink or swim. They’re really well supported and set up for success here.”

Ben also stressed the importance of being mindful of lawyer wellbeing: “We’re conscious that people work really hard. But it’s not just ‘are they busy enough? Are they working too hard? Are they happy? We’ve all had it in our careers where you’re on one thing and you get a bit of case fatigue — is that in play with that person? Let’s take some off them, let’s spread it around, let’s get them involved in this. So much thought goes into all of that.”

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