Morrison Foerster boasts a robust venture capital and emerging companies practice that excels in advising emerging companies on early-stage financings through to late-stage growth rounds. The group is chiefly engaged by startups in the technology and life sciences sectors, including AI, cybersecurity, fintech, clean energy, and digital health. A skilled trio oversees the team: Michael Glaser, Peter Fusco, and San Diego-based Jim Krenn. Splitting his time between San Francisco and Seattle, Glaser is an expert in venture transactions from formation to exit. New York-based Fusco is active across seed rounds to growth investments, while Krenn also counsels angel, corporate, and venture capital investors. Seasoned practitioner Murray Indick leverages almost four decades of experience advising on venture M&A.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- The firm's venture capital practice, and in particular partner Timothy J. Harris of the firm's Palo Alto office, stands out for its combination of deep technical legal expertise and genuine commercial instinct. We engage the firm across the full spectrum of VC transactions — from early seed rounds through to late-stage growth financings and M&A exits — and the team consistently demonstrates an ability to move at the pace venture capital demands without ever compromising on quality or rigor. We particularly appreciate the high level of partner involvement in our transactions, allowing them to execute our transactions at high speed and at an exceptional standard.
- Timothy J. Harris of the firm's Palo Alto office is, quite simply, one of the best lawyers we have worked with in the venture capital space globally. What distinguishes Tim from peers at other firms is not just his technical command of VC and M&A, but the way he operates as a genuine business adviser rather than a pure legal technician. Tim brings a level of commercial judgment to every matter that is difficult to find. He understands the broader strategic context of each transaction: what matters to the founders, what the market will bear, where there is genuine legal risk versus negotiating noise, and how to move both sides toward a workable outcome efficiently. We also particularly appreciate his concise and efficient communications which always nail the key issues we care about and filter out the noise.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Michael Glaser; Peter Fusco; Jim Krenn
Other key lawyers
Murray Indick; Chuck Cotter; Timothy Harris