LOS ANGELES (September 4, 2007) - Shirley M. Hufstedler will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by The American Lawyer for her role as a pioneer among women lawyers and her commitment to public service.

“We are extremely proud that Shirley has been recognized with this significant award,” said Morrison & Foerster Chair Keith Wetmore. “She has excelled at every aspect of law and public service. Not just a trailblazer for women in the profession, she is a role model for all lawyers and all public spirited Americans.”

Mrs. Hufstedler was the first United States Secretary of Education, serving under President Carter, and one of the first women on the federal bench, serving 11 years as a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. In 1981, Mrs. Hufstedler returned to private life to teach and practice law. She joined her husband, Seth Hufstedler, in their law firm, Hufstedler & Kaus. The litigation boutique was known for its willingness to take on difficult public interest cases. The firm merged with Morrison & Foerster in 1995. Mrs. Hufstedler continues to mentor lawyers in the firm and maintains an active practice focusing on civil appellate litigation. Mrs. Hufstedler currently has cases in the California and United States Supreme Courts.

“As a lawyer, judge, and cabinet member, Shirley has been an inspiration to many,” said Steven M. Kaufmann, Morrison & Foerster partner and head of its Litigation Department. “We congratulate her on this outstanding achievement.”

Mrs. Hufstedler is among eight recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award that will be presented at The American Lawyer's annual awards dinner on Wednesday, October 24, at Cipriani in New York.

Past winners of this award include former Morrison & Foerster partner Robert Raven, Warren Christopher of O’Melveny & Myers, Lloyd Cutler of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, Joseph Flom of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, and Sargent Shriver of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson.