Morrison Foerster Welcomes 2026 Class of First-Year Associates

Morrison Foerster, a leading global law firm, is pleased to welcome its 2026 class of first-year associates. Fifty-one new associates join the firm today across its U.S. offices. This first-year class includes graduates from 30 law schools.

“We are thrilled to welcome this talented group of lawyers to Morrison Foerster,” said Erika Drous, Director of Attorney Learning & Development at the firm. “Developing excellent lawyers is fundamental to delivering exceptional client service. Programs such as MoFo Activate invest in our associates at every stage of their careers, helping them build the legal and business skills they need to succeed and grow into the next generation of leaders at the firm.”

As they begin their careers, the new associates will participate in MoFo Activate, the first stage of MoFo’s level-based associate training and development curriculum. Activate begins with an in-person two-day program launching the firm’s broader first-year associate development experience. The Activate program is designed to help associates build the mindset, habits, knowledge, skills, and connections needed to successfully navigate their early years of legal practice.

MoFo Activate is the first phase of a three-tiered pathway for professional development designed to support lawyers as their roles evolve. The second phase—MoFo Accelerate—prepares mid-level associates to take greater ownership of workstreams, anticipate client and team needs, and develop their management and business skills. Senior associates participate in MoFo Amplify, which provides scaffolding as they assume broader leadership of client matters and relationships and strengthens their judgment and mentoring skills.

The 2026 MoFo Activate program kicks off today in San Francisco and continues with virtual programming throughout the associates’ first year. The program is designed to prepare associates for day-one success, foster a sense of belonging, and build early peer relationships and cross-office networks. Training covers the role and expectations of a junior associate, receiving assignments, writing and communication, the business of law, resilience and feedback, professional development, and the effective use of technology and AI.

These programs were designed with input from MoFo partners, associates, and business professionals to provide practice-specific learning, peer connections, and leadership support at key stages of associates’ careers. Together, MoFo Activate, Accelerate, and Amplify reflect Morrison Foerster’s commitment to investing in its lawyers throughout their careers.