Inclusive Recruitment

Keith Wetmore Fellowship for Excellence, Diversity, and Inclusion

Since 2012, the Keith Wetmore Fellowship for Excellence, Diversity, and Inclusion program has recognized and provided exceptional first and second-year law students with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, with the training, mentorship, and exposure necessary for their professional development and engagement. The fellowship program is named after former chair Keith Wetmore, in honor of his dedication and commitment to diversity and inclusion, both within the firm and in the legal profession. It is one of the many ways that Morrison Foerster actualizes its commitment to removing barriers and creating opportunities for talented individuals with diverse experiences in the legal industry.

Each year, Fellows are selected from a competitive pool of applicants and are invited to join the firm as summer associates. As part of the Summer Associate Program’s training curriculum, the Fellows attend an Unconscious Bias training, and a Spotlight on D+I program, giving them the opportunity to engage in an activity and discussion around the firm’s D+I initiatives. Along with summer associate positions, the Fellows receive ongoing mentoring and a stipend. Fellows also meet regularly with the D+I team throughout the summer. Upon successful completion of the fellowship, 1L Fellows have the opportunity to return as second-year summer associates, and 2L Fellows have the opportunity to return as first-year associates post-graduation.

To date, we have awarded 162 fellowships.

Learn more about the program.

The Wetmore Bridge Program at MoFo is a comprehensive, two-year initiative aimed at facilitating the successful onboarding and integration of new full-time associates who participated in the summer Wetmore Fellowship. This program includes a variety of support mechanisms, such as formal mentoring relationships starting from day one, an apprenticeship model of mentoring, cohort learning experiences with an in-person program kickoff, and a Junior Associates Academy. Additionally, the program offers curated growth opportunities, a curriculum tailored to navigating the nuances of practice, department, and firm culture, a 360-degree review with a development plan, and access to a personal career advisor.

Sponsors for Educational Opportunity Program

Since 2008, we have sponsored a group of pre-law interns through the Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) program. SEO provides educational and career programs to students from underrepresented communities to ensure their professional success.

The pre-law interns who join us as SEO Fellows are included in our summer associate program. To date, 72 students have participated in the program over the years.

Diversity + Inclusion Road Show

We love to hear from our law students about their interests and aspirations long before the formal interview process. Each spring, our attorneys of color, women, LGBTQ+, and attorneys living with disabilities visit schools throughout the U.S. to engage with students and share why they chose MoFo’s inclusive platform for their practice.

Lavender Law Conference + Career Fair

The Lavender Law Conference + Career Fair, started in 1988, is the largest LGBTQ+ legal conference in the country. MoFo is a proud supporter of the conference and has participated in the interview program every year.