MoFo Hong Kong
Your MoFo Story Starts Here...
China Is a Key Market for MoFo
Driven by Excellence
Where Will Your MoFo Story Take You?
Allyship Is Action
How to Apply and What to Expect
Inclusive to the Core
Committed to Service
Succeed as One
Our Future Is Yours
Our Future is Yours
Choose MoFo, and you’ll find the legal career you deserve. Real cases. Real clients. Real experiences. Start here, and the possibilities are endless.
Why MoFo Hong Kong?
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Thrive in an environment that is inclusive to the core, where respect for people, ideas, and differences makes us stronger colleagues and advisors. Enjoy significant responsibility from early on in your career. Join a team that is committed to service, who makes a meaningful impact for our clients, communities, and society. Learn from mentors and peers alike. Exceptional people are hired, developed, and nurtured here.
No matter where you start your MoFo story, the firm supports charting a career path that aligns with your interests and passions. Our collaborative approach to working across borders, practice areas, and industries ensures that we succeed as one firm. While each of our 2,200+ legal and business professionals have unique goals, we are united in our commitment to delivering results that best serve each other, our clients, and our communities.
I really like the hands-on experience and the steep learning curve at MoFo. I have been tasked with client-facing opportunities even as a trainee, which makes me feel trusted by the firm.
Laura Sun
Trainee Solicitor
We Rise to the Occasion...
...And Always Seek a Better Way.
For more than 100 years, Morrison Foerster has represented some of the world’s largest financial institutions, Fortune 100 companies and leading technology and life sciences companies. The collective intelligence and collaborative culture of our lawyers ensures their experience is a strategic fit to meet the needs of the clients and industries they serve. The firm consistently receives top-tier rankings from leading directories in a number of practice areas, including 43 practice area and 60 individual rankings in Chambers Global 2021, speaking to our legal capabilities, and dedication to a higher degree of client service.
At MoFo, you have the opportunity to work with and learn from the best legal minds in the industry. From early on, you’ll get exposure to training, support, and exciting projects where you’ll gain practical skills and make lifelong connections. Here, you’re encouraged to go beyond just embracing ideas to playing an active role in creating new ones.
“I have been given substantive responsibilities since day one. The partners and associates are generous with their time to guide me through a project and appreciate trainees’ perspectives and contributions.”
Winnie Lam
Work With The Best...
Morrison Foerster transforms complexity into advantage. With our collective intelligence, we shape powerful legal strategies that move our clients’ businesses forward while living our shared values. Our clients include some of the largest financial institutions, Fortune 100 companies, and leading technology and life sciences companies. We represent organizations—whether established for decades or just an entrepreneur’s idea—as they grow, innovate, disrupt, and develop into leading industry players and household names.
...And Do Your Best Work.
MoFo Values: A strong culture doesn't happen by chance.
Get to know who we are and why there really is a MoFo difference.
1,000+
Lawyers across 18 offices in the United States, Asia, and Europe
BAND 1
For nine practice areas in Chambers Asia-Pacific/ Greater China Region 2023
TIER 1
For nine practice areas in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2023
HONG KONG EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
A Story of Doing Good
An essential part of the MoFo difference is our tradition of service in the public interest. We use our talents in a range of pro bono activities, from staffing legal service clinics, to counseling more than 300 nonprofit organizations, to handling high-impact litigation. Our work focuses on assisting underserved groups and nonprofits that serve low-income people and communities. We approach pro bono work the same as our billable work—with passion, dedication, and an exacting standard of service—simply because that’s who we are.
In Hong Kong, MoFo was part of a 31-member-strong coalition of international financial institutions and law firms that took part in an effort to revise the Hong Kong Immigration Department’s policy to permit the granting of dependent visa/entry permits to non-local same-sex spouses. We led a pro bono team working with other members of the coalition on the landmark case QT v. Director of Immigration, which resulted in a unanimous victory in the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal that required the Immigration Department to grant a spousal visa to an expatriate same-sex couple.
Hong Kong: Advancing LGBTQ+ Marriage Rights
Watch
Our latest pro bono video and learn about the remarkable work our lawyers have undertaken to help make an impact.
Silver Law Firm Award
2022 Pro Bono and Community Work Recognition Programme The Law Society of Hong Kong
The Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation
Firmwide hours devoted to Pro Bono in 2022
2022 Award
100
inclusive to the core
Every Voice is Heard
Morrison Foerster believes that the lawyers who advise and represent our clients should be as diverse as they are. We place a high value on the varied perspectives, backgrounds, and ideas that our lawyers offer when it comes to serving our clients, colleagues, and communities. We’re certain that you’ll find numerous ways to connect with a diverse group of legal professionals through networking events, speaking engagements, affinity groups, community engagement, and pro bono initiatives. Our priority will always be fostering an inclusive workplace where every story matters and every voice is heard.
Lawyers and business professionals across our five Asia offices are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Our commitment to providing an inclusive environment where differences are celebrated is among the firm’s key shared values and continues to define our culture. As one demonstration of this commitment, all MoFo lawyers and timekeeper staff can receive up to 50 hours of billable-hour credit annually for activities performed in support of our diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives/events. To learn more, please visit mofo.com/culture/diversity#who-we-are.
Diversity and Inclusion in Asia
Morrison Foerster has a global commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion in the region.
Ranked first overall among firms with 601+ lawyers in
Law360
's 2022 Diversity
Snapshot. MoFo also tops the list of biggest law firms with the most diverse equity partners.
Key Market in China
Where will your MoFo Story take you?
Allyship is Action
How to Apply
Succeed As One
Why MoFo?
INCLUSION CHAMPION
In 2022 for firm leadership Diversity Lab
100%
Rating on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index in 2022, marking the 19th year of inclusion as one of the best places to work for LGBTQ+ equality
40%
Of lawyers promoted to partner worldwide in the past 10 years have been women
TOP 5
Ranked firm on Seramount’s 50 Best Law Firms for Women & Diversity List
“I really appreciate MoFo colleagues taking the time to provide us with guidance and constructive feedback that will surely stay with us as we embark on our career as legal professionals.”
“I am particularly impressed by how well-structured the summer program is, ranging from expectation setting to exposure to various training workshops and a variety of work assignments.”
“Joining MoFo’s internship program has been one of the best choices I have made for my legal career.”
“The summer program gave me valuable exposure to a myriad of practices, plus the opportunity to put my hands on real work for real clients.”
“Everyone, from partners to trainees to all administrative staff, has been very friendly, helpful and respectful. This is something I greatly value and MoFo has this quality.”
“Given how diverse and unique everyone’s background is, I have had the privilege of learning something new every day during the four weeks and have had the chance to grow exponentially as a budding lawyer.”
Our Summer Interns Say…
Click on each topic to learn more
How to Apply and What to expect
Summer Internship Program
Our Hong Kong Summer Internship Program is a great introduction to what a training contract at MoFo would offer you and the best way for you to demonstrate your potential to us. During your internship, you will be given real work for real clients. Formal and informal social events are arranged for you to meet others in the internship program as well as our partners, associates, and trainees. By the end of the scheme, you should have a good idea of whether the legal field is the career for you—and whether MoFo is the right place for you.
Trainee Program
From day one, you will be surprised by how much direct contact you have with clients. You will feel valued and involved. The hands-on learning we offer will help you understand the legal and commercial context of the advice we give. You will quickly experience the satisfaction of going the extra mile for our clients. The sheer variety of work you undertake in your training contract will help you decide where your future lies. During your two-year training contract, you will work closely with associates and partners who will encourage you to show initiative and take on responsibility. As a trainee, you will rotate through different practice areas in your two-year training program. Seat options include Private Equity/Mergers and Acquisition, Funds, Capital Markets, Dispute Resolution, and Technology Transactions. Subject to business needs, you will also have an opportunity to go on a secondment at other MoFo offices.
In addition to on-the-job training, we offer formal training sessions and workshops that will give you the practical and legal knowledge that is necessary to become a fully qualified lawyer. You will be given help to evaluate your strengths and identify your developmental needs, both informally and through formal reviews with your supervisors. Plus there will be opportunities to become involved in our pro bono activities and community action initiatives. All trainees will have opportunities to work with partners. MoFo maintains an open door policy that encourages interaction among all attorneys. The firm also holds social events and regular meetings to facilitate interactions among paralegals, trainees, associates, partners, and other staff.
What Can We Do For You?
Choosing a firm that is right for you is an important decision. We understand that the selection process may seem overwhelming. There is a lot to think about, from the city where you would like to build your career, to the type of work that you will find interesting, to the kind of firm that you see yourself in, to how to distinguish among highly respected firms that sound similar, and so on. We believe that direct participation and hands-on experience engaging in client matters provide the most rewarding opportunities. We present trainees with the tools they need to enhance their skills through our program, as well as continued guidance and mentoring. Our trainee program is of the utmost importance to us. We are eager to help talented students find their place in our firm and are committed to helping them succeed.
Once you accept a training contract with us, you become part of the firm, and your training and development start right away. As a “future joiner” you will receive the following: examination fees for the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) conversion exam for those who graduated overseas, course fees for the PCLL course, a stipend during your PCLL, and a joining salary that is highly competitive with the other premier firms in the market.
Sponsorship
What Do We Look For?
MoFo realized that delivering results for our clients requires the best legal talent. We have long thought that our greatest asset is the last person hired. We seek out not only the best and brightest in academic pursuits, but also those with motivation, a can-do attitude, creativity, an entrepreneurial spirit, drive, and confidence. We look for candidates with strong academic backgrounds with a minimum 2:1 degree or at least a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or the equivalent from top universities. In addition, given that there is a lot of cross-border work in the office, we definitely seek out bilingual or trilingual students. The ability to read and write Chinese is preferred. Like most other firms in Hong Kong, we typically select trainees two years before they start work with us. So if you are studying law, you should apply in your penultimate year, preferably through our Summer Internship Program.
When Will the Summer Internship and Training Contract Begin?
Summer internships take place in June and July and last for four weeks. The training contract starts in September every year. Like most other firms in Hong Kong, we typically select trainees two years before they start work with us. So if you are studying law, you should apply in your penultimate year.
How To Apply?
Please submit an online application with a cover letter, résumé, and transcripts at https://careers.mofo.com/. Interviews are on a rolling basis.
Timeline
September 1, 2023 | Applications open January 31, 2024 | Summer intern applications close June/July 2024 | Summer internships begin 2026 Training Contracts | Applications close when all vacancies are filled
allyship is action
At MoFo, we pair diversity of perspective with a strategic consultative approach to craft the tailored strategies our clients need. We foster trusted partnerships that are defined by winning for our clients when it matters most—whether that’s forming special task forces to tackle issues of racial injustice, seeking new ways to amplify diverse voices, or partnering with legal partners and nonprofits to help those underserved in our communities and underrepresented in the legal profession. Learn more about how MoFo is putting allyship in action and responding to racial injustice.
where will your mofo story take you?
18 cities. 3 continents.
AMERICAS
From its deep roots in the Bay Area, MoFo has grown into a leading global law firm.
Our San Francisco and Palo Alto offices serve at the epicenter of the most recent technology revolution. Both offices offer full-service corporate, finance, IP, and litigation capabilities to clients at all stages of development, providing advice in transactions, regulatory programs, and contentious matters. In Los Angeles and San Diego, our lawyers advise a diverse group of private and public companies in Cleantech, electronics, entertainment and media, life sciences, medical technology, real estate, and venture and institutional investors, while lawyers in our Denver office focus on public and private financing, licensing, purchasing, and litigation. On the East Coast, our New York office, strategically located for many of our financial services, real estate, and corporate clients, is a global center for business, finance, and media. In D.C., we are home to some of the most powerful and influential players in both government and the private sector, providing regulatory, corporate, litigation, and IP counsel on behalf of financial institutions, investors, entrepreneurs, and Fortune 500 and technology companies. In Boston, we serve a growing and dynamic technology and life sciences market, representing emerging and established companies in global matters involving business, finance, IP, and litigation. In Austin, our lawyers provide companies, including emerging companies, and investors in the technology, life sciences, and healthcare sectors, access to MoFo’s full-service platform and global network, with a focus on IP litigation and transactional matters. Our Miami office serves its clients as a trusted local resource and a key gateway into the Americas and beyond, combining our local bench strength across corporate, real estate, finance, and litigation practices.
Asia
With five offices in Asia—Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo—we are one of the preeminent law firms in the region, providing integrated U.S. and local law advice.
Morrison Foerster has an exceptionally strong Asia platform and an expansive reach of 200 attorneys in five offices in key Asian business centers, including Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Singapore. This year marks the 40th anniversary of Morrison Foerster’s presence in Asia. In March 1983, we entered the Asia market by opening the Hong Kong office, with the objective to expand our legendary client service and best-in-class legal services to Asia-based clients and multinational clients with business interests in the region. Today, Morrison Foerster is one of the largest and longest-standing international law firms in Asia. MoFo Asia continues to consistently deliver exceptional client service while making positive contributions to our communities. We now have over 50 lawyers in our Greater China offices, qualified to advise on the laws of a range of jurisdictions, including the U.S., Hong Kong, the PRC, India, and England & Wales. We have presence for more than 35 years in Japan and have the largest Tokyo presence of any international law firm: over 110 attorneys, including approximately 50 U.S. attorneys, 50 Japanese bengoshi, and six attorneys qualified in England & Wales. Our award-winning Singapore office features lawyers with significant experience advising clients on transactions, disputes, and investigations throughout South and Southeast Asia.
europe
Morrison Foerster’s long-established European presence dates back to 1980, when we opened our London office. We collaborate across borders, practice areas, and functions to win together.
From our London office, UK- and U.S.-qualified lawyers advise clients on all aspects of corporate, finance, securities, taxation, privacy, real estate, and employment law. The office’s multijurisdictional litigation, arbitration, and mediation practices allow us to resolve even the most complex disputes. Our Berlin office represents clients in M&A transactions, corporate and commercial litigation, antitrust and sector-specific regulation, and tax, labor and employment, and privacy matters, with a particular focus on the technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) sector, as well as on other industries such as transportation, real estate, private equity, and financial services. MoFo’s Brussels office is a key element of our globally integrated antitrust and competition practice and our privacy and data security practice. Our lawyers in Brussels regularly deal with antitrust agencies, both at the level of the European Union and at the Member State level.
Succeeding as one is what distinguishes us as a firm. Working across offices is the norm and drives incredible value for our clients and our people.
Eric McCrath, MoFo Chair
driven by excellence
We are champions of progress, delivering meaningful client results, serving our communities, and moving industries forward. Click on each practice group to learn more:
Capital Markets
Emerging Companies + Venture Capital
Intellectual Property
Life Sciences
Mergers + Acquisitions
Private Funds
Real Estate
Securities Litigation, Enforcement + White-Collar Criminal Defense
Privacy + Data Security
Technology Transactions
Dispute Resolution
Finance
National Security, CFIUS, FARA, Sanctions + Export Controls
Private Equity Investments + Buyouts
Tax
85
Practice area rankings + individual recognitions in Chambers Asia-Pacific/Greater China Region 2023
TOP 15
ESG Law Firm Asia Legal Business 2023
ONE OF THE MOST INNOVATIVE
Law firms headquartered outside Asia Pacific FT Innovative Lawyers Asia Pacific Awards 2023
198
Practice area rankings + individual recognitions in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2023
China is a key market for mofo
We counsel a wide variety of clients in China on their high-profile investments, finance, and regulatory matters, including many of the world’s largest multinationals and the most substantial and active institutional PRC companies, as well as promoting startups in the internet, technology, entertainment, telecommunications, energy, clean technology, renewable energy, and life sciences industries.
Our Future is Yours...
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“I chose to train at MoFo because of its supportive and collaborative culture.”
“MoFo has a great sense of community. You really feel that you are part of the team.”
Cyrus Ye
Cori Ling
MorrisonFoerster
