Katie Mok (Associate, Corporate, London)

I was a trainee at MoFo. In terms of quality of work and transaction exposure, a trainee's experience with MoFo is second to none. Whilst being a major part of MoFo's large international practice, the size of the London office enables trainees to gain invaluable in-depth experience and allows them take on significant roles with considerable responsibility from an early stage. The learning curve was steep and the work invariably challenging, but I have always felt well supported by the team around me. I also was fortunate enough to work with colleagues from the various MoFo US and Asia offices on cross-border transactions.

Since joining, I have enjoyed working with MoFo and being a part of a dynamic and growing team. The main reasons for my decision to pursue a career with MoFo are the people I met during my interview process and their enthusiasm for the firm, the high quality of work and the firm's reputation in the areas of corporate, life sciences, technology and outsourcing.

Charlie Reid (Associate, Financial Transactions Group, London)

I wanted to be a part of a growing practice, and the London office certainly is that, attracting new lawyers at a consistent rate. It is an exciting place to be as not only is the work of the highest quality, but there is a genuinely positive team atmosphere amongst people who get on well with each other. This was further demonstrated to me on the MoFo ski weekend to St. Anton which was such a success that all of us want to go back again next year. In fact, we all raved about it so much that most of the rest of the office now want to come!

In my previous firm I specialized in finance in a specific industry sector, whereas at MoFo I have widened my horizons enormously in the Financial Transactions Group. I have found myself involved in syndicated loan and other general banking work, acquisition finance, project finance, leasing, debt trading and private placement of debt transactions all within a comparatively short space of time. As such, I am learning every day and gaining a fantastic array of experience representing clients from across the globe. All in all, I have really enjoyed my time so far at MoFo, and I am looking forward to continuing to develop my career at the firm.

Matt Edwards (Associate, Corporate Group, London)

As a member of the Corporate Group, I've had the opportunity to work for a large number of clients across a broad range of industries. I have worked on both private and public M&A and also been fortunate enough to work on a number of AIM IPOs.

One of my motivations for moving from Australia was to gain a greater degree of international and cross-border experience. London, being one of the world's major financial centers, is an ideal place to gain this experience. MoFo hasn't failed to deliver - since I joined, I've been given a great deal of responsibility and have worked on a number of international transactions with clients doing business in Asia, Africa and the US.

In addition to the quality of work, I think the great strength of the London office is the team that the partners have put together. It's nice to be able to say that I enjoy my job and the people I work with!

Tara Sherbrooke (Associate, Technology Transactions Group, London)

I applied for a job at MoFo because I wanted to use my academic scientific background in the practice of law. Working with companies that are trying to develop essential medicines, such as vaccines, and other therapeutics is incredibly rewarding. Our clients' intellectual property rights, particularly patents, are their assets, which they exploit as required. My job involves supporting our clients from a legal and commercial perspective, drafting a range of agreements and assisting with negotiations to maximize the value of their intellectual property, and my scientific background is invaluable when trying to understand our clients' complex products. Morrison & Foerster is a genuinely friendly place to work and has a deserved reputation of excellence in this practice area. I am proud to be part of the team.

Kristian Shearsby (Associate, Corporate, London)

I joined MoFo as a corporate paralegal from one of the Magic Circle firms and started my training contract as the firm's first trainee a year later, and ultimately qualified into the corporate group.

MoFo's network of international offices, commercially minded lawyers and reputation for market leading corporate, outsourcing and life science practices were major factors in my decision to pursue a career with the firm. From the start, I was given a range of responsibilities on high quality, varied and challenging transactions and I have always been made to feel like a valued member of the teams that I have worked with.

In addition, I chose to join MoFo because of the genuine enthusiasm shown for the firm by the people I met during the interview process. Since arriving, I have enjoyed being part of a growing, yet collegiate, team which is committed to developing the London office and to enhancing the MoFo brand throughout Europe.

Peter Green (Partner, Capital Markets Group, London)

I joined Morrison & Foerster after having worked for my previous firm for eighteen years. Why did I decide to move from a firm that I trained with and where I successfully joined the partnership? The decision to leave a firm I still have many fond memories of was difficult. Having made that decision, the choice of joining MoFo was easy. I was attracted by the energy and drive of all the people I met, the very clear focus on my practice area and the fact that MoFo appeared to be full of highly motivated, supportive and friendly people. Happily, all of my initial impressions were confirmed within my first few weeks in the London office.

We have created a new debt capital markets team in the London office that meets the needs of our clients on both sides of the Atlantic. My particular focus is on structured products and derivatives, which usually causes a hasty change of subject when I mention to friends and family what I do. In fact, this is an extremely interesting and rapidly growing market which is becoming increasingly important to banks and other financial institutions, both as a risk management tool and as part of their investment portfolio. Our clients are increasingly looking to us to help them develop new products as existing transactions become commoditized and their needs change. We constantly respond to global market conditions by, for example, adapting existing structures to new asset classes or advising clients on restructurings. It is, therefore, a practice that continually makes you think laterally and requires both commercial and legal input from us, which is something that has always appealed to me. It is exciting to me that MoFo shares the same enthusiasm for what I do, and I look forward to seeing the practice continue to grow over the coming years.

I was introduced to MoFo through my time as a Summer Student, and since then it has exceeded all my expectations. The summer scheme is the best and most fun way to get to know the office and get an insight into what the firm does in London (and across the world). The firm is a perfect combination of a global heavyweight with a smaller London office where you can get to know everyone, which offers the opportunity of an excellent trainee experience, working closely with clients, partners and other lawyers on quality work in a friendly and non-hierarchical atmosphere. I've found that the firm is not the type of place where you are drawn in by the marketing and then find out two weeks into the training contract that the marketing was just hype. MoFo really does practice what it preaches. I've had great trainee experience - being really involved in entire transactions from start to finish, having first-hand contact with clients and feeling a valued member of the teams I've worked with.

Simon Williams (Associate, Corporate, London)

I was introduced to MoFo through my time as a Summer Student, and since then it has exceeded all my expectations. The summer scheme is the best and most fun way to get to know the office and get an insight into what the firm does in London (and across the world). The firm is a perfect combination of a global heavyweight with a smaller London office where you can get to know everyone, which offers the opportunity of an excellent trainee experience, working closely with clients, partners and other lawyers on quality work in a friendly and non-hierarchical atmosphere. I've found that the firm is not the type of place where you are drawn in by the marketing and then find out two weeks into the training contract that the marketing was just hype. MoFo really does practice what it preaches. I've had great trainee experience - being really involved in entire transactions from start to finish, having first-hand contact with clients and feeling a valued member of the teams I've worked with.

Winston Yu (Trainee, Corporate, Hong Kong)

The learning opportunities and experiences at the Hong Kong office are simply unparalleled. As Hong Kong has traditionally served as a conduit for both in-bound and out-bound PRC related transactions, I have been exposed to some of the most exciting and cutting-edge deals in the region as a member of a close-knit team.

The firm also invests heavily in the professional development of its staff. As a trainee solicitor, the learning experiences have been remarkable. Everyone is more than willing to share their knowledge and guide you through tricky issues. Partners here have a genuine interest in your professional development and well-being as an individual. As a dynamic team, we are encouraged not only to work hard, but also to play hard. More importantly, I am amazed by the firm's inspirational culture. I truly enjoy working at MoFo.

Ivy Tsang (Trainee, Corporate, Hong Kong)

Since I joined the firm in 2010, I have truly enjoyed my time here. Before entering the trainee programme, I had the conception that a big law firm would not allow me to have any client contact as a trainee, but MoFo proved me wrong. In fact, I had my first client meeting in my second week. With the status of both an international player and a more-than-average-sized office in Hong Kong, you also have privileged access to close supervision as well as opportunities to be involved in high-end work.

During my time here, I have been trained to think creatively, challenge assumptions and take nothing at face value. Despite the fact that you are working with experts in the industry, people are very supportive, which builds on the collegiate culture of the firm. There is a sense of shared responsibility and a unique culture of belonging. It is, I believe, these qualities that create the perfect environment for you to grow and fulfill one's full potential. What adds to the fun is you will find that our people are all diverse individuals, yet on our team everyone counts.

Samuel Ng (Of Counsel, Corporate, Hong Kong)

I joined the Hong Kong office of Morrison & Foerster as an associate in 2007. My decision to pursue a career with MoFo was no doubt based on its leading position and market reputation, but another important reason was the people I met, during the interview process and informal lunch gathering, who demonstrated great leadership capabilities and friendliness.

Work in the Hong Kong office is diversified and challenging, and offers a balanced mix for good career development. We also work closely with other offices of MoFo from time to time on cross-border transactions. While work may be demanding and stressful sometimes, I can always count on the strong support of other members of the MoFo team, and senior staff are always happy to share their experience and provide guidance whether in work-related matters or more generally.