Morrison Foerster Announces Leadership Transition

By Cindi Choi.
Updated Jun 27, 2022

SAN FRANCISCO (PRWEB) June 27, 2022 - Morrison Foerster, a leading global law firm, is pleased to announce that Eric T. McCrath has been elected by the partners as Chair of the firm. McCrath is a member of Morrison Foersters Executive Committee and Compensation Committee, and serves as Global Co-Chair of the firms Corporate Department. McCrath is also a member of Morrison Foersters Diversity Strategy Committee and has demonstrated a strong commitment to, and track record on, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. He will be the first ethnically diverse Chair in Morrison Foersters history.

As Chair, McCrath will play a leading role in setting the strategic direction and priorities for Morrison Foerster while continuing to advise clients on their most challenging and strategic transactions as part of his market-leading M&A practice. He succeeds Larren M. Nashelsky, who has been Chair for the past decade, a period during which Morrison Foerster has thrived and grown into a leading global law firm with 17 offices across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Nashelsky will remain a partner after his term ends on October 3, 2022.

I am deeply grateful to my partners for their trust in my leadership. It will be a true privilege to assume my new role as Chair, said McCrath. 'Over the past decade, Larren, working closely with our executive leadership team, has overseen a period of phenomenal success for the firm, driven by the strategic needs of our clients and guided by our values. I feel fortunate to take over from this position of strength. I look forward to building on the firms legacy of delivering exceptional results for our clients, continuing on our growth trajectory, and ensuring Morrison Foerster expands client relationships across key industries. We will do so while prioritizing our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and our unique culture of collaboration. I also look forward to keeping my finger on the pulse of our clients most strategic matters as part of my continuing M&A practice. I could not be more excited for the weeks, months, and years to come.

It has been the greatest honor to serve as Chair of Morrison Foerster for more than a decade,' said Nashelsky. 'I am deeply proud of what we have achieved collectively for our clients while continuing to build on MoFos proud legacy of leadership in diversity and inclusion, pro bono, and community service. I am excited for the years ahead and have no doubt the firm will continue to thrive under Eric's leadership. His impeccable track-record in building a successful global practice and recruiting talent, combined with his proven leadership and strategic vision for the firm, made him the perfect choice. Eric will continue MoFo's growth in an increasingly competitive environment and champion our shared values. I look forward to working closely with Eric over the next several months to ensure a seamless transition.'

McCrath joined Morrison Foerster as a partner in 2007 and has held multiple leadership roles at the firm over the past several years. He has been a member of Morrison Foersters Executive Committee since 2016, the Compensation Committee since 2019, has served as Global Co-Chair of the firms Corporate Department of over 400 lawyers since 2018, and has also held a number of practice leadership roles. McCrath, a diverse lawyer of Asian heritage, is also one of the longest-standing members of the firms Diversity Strategy Committee, having served since 2010.

McCrath has initiated and led many strategic growth initiatives at Morrison Foerster. He played a key role in establishing the firms presence in Boston, Miami, and Austin in recent years. McCrath has also spearheaded the significant expansion of Morrison Foersters corporate and emerging companies and venture capital capabilities in California since the start of 2022, with the addition of six partners.

McCrath, who has practiced in Japan, New York, and California over the course of his career, has built a best-in-class, global corporate practice, becoming a trusted advisor to clients on hundreds of public and private M&A, private equity, and financing transactions. He counsels strategic acquirers and targets in a variety of industries, including technology (semiconductors, software, AR/VR, FinTech, AI), healthcare, consumer products, financial institutions, media, gaming, and transportation. He represents leading U.S. and global companies on their most complex cross-border transactions.

McCrath earned his B.A. from Swarthmore College and J.D. from Columbia Law School.

Nashelsky was first elected Chair of Morrison Foerster in 2012. Over the past decade, Nashelsky has led the firm to sustained growth, increased profitability, and expansion around the globe. During his tenure as Chair, Morrison Foerster has seen its revenue, Revenue Per Lawyer, Net Income, and Profits per Partner grow significantly. Nashelsky also strategically expanded Morrison Foersters footprint in Asia and Europe to serve clients increasingly cross-border needs, and in several key U.S. markets. Nashelsky has championed diversity and inclusion, and promoted the firms values, including pro bono, earning the firm acclaim as a leader in the profession. Accomplishments and key milestones under Nashelskys leadership include:

ABOUT MORRISON FOERSTER

Morrison Foerster is a leading global law firm that transforms complexity into advantage for its clients. Our clients include some of the largest financial institutions, banks, consulting and accounting firms, and Fortune 100, technology, and life sciences companies. Highlighting the firms commitment to client service, leadership in market-changing deals and impact litigation, and values-based culture, Morrison Foerster was recognized as one of the top 10 firms on The American Lawyers 2021 A-List. Year after year, the firm receives significant recognition from Chambers and The Legal 500 across their various guides, including Global, USA, Asia-Pacific, Europe, UK, Latin America, and FinTech Legal. Our lawyers passionately care about delivering legal excellence while living our values. Morrison Foerster has a long-standing commitment to creating a culture that respects and celebrates differences, while providing an inclusive environment. The firm has achieved Mansfield Certification Plus since 2018 as a result of successfully reaching at least 30 percent women, communities of color, and LGBTQ+ lawyer representation in a notable number of current leadership roles and committees. The firm also has a long history of commitment to the community and society through providing pro bono legal services, including litigating for civil rights and civil liberties, improving public education and fostering the wellbeing of children, advocating for veterans, promoting international human rights, enforcing the right to asylum, and safeguarding the environment.