Whitney O’Byrne Wins Young Lawyer of the Year – Litigation

Morrison Foerster partner Whitney O’Byrne won Young Lawyer of the Year (Litigation) at The American Lawyer Industry Awards 2026. The award honors a young lawyer who has shown exceptional work in any litigation practice over the last two years.

Whitney is a first-chair trial lawyer in Los Angeles. She handles high-stakes disputes at the intersection of emerging technology and the courtroom. Her recent work includes:

• Helping lead trial strategy and settlement in a landmark generative AI copyright class action that resolved on the eve of trial.
• Serving as lead trial counsel in a copyright case that tested novel issues around copyright management information, which now sit at the center of AI copyright litigation. The client faced a multibillion-dollar statutory damages demand, and the jury awarded less than one percent of it.
• Leading trial preparation in a closely watched copyright dispute over digital building codes, which resolved favorably before trial.
• Serving as lead trial counsel for a public university system in a COVID-era tuition class action. Whitney significantly narrowed the class plaintiffs sought to certify, then secured a favorable settlement.

Whitney also leads pro bono work. After the 2025 Eaton Fire, she co-led litigation with Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles to protect displaced tenants returning to smoke- and ash-contaminated homes. The settlements set enforceable inspection and remediation protocols for fire-affected properties. Her leadership and advocacy helped our Los Angeles office win the inaugural Pro Bono Pentathlon, a firmwide competition recognizing pro bono engagement.

Inside MoFo, Whitney serves as Los Angeles hiring partner. She rebuilt the summer associate program to give junior lawyers early courtroom exposure. She also co-founded our Middle East North Africa Affinity Network and sits on the boards of the Southern Center for Human Rights, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, and California ChangeLawyers.

View the 2026 honorees on The American Lawyer Industry Awards website.