Morrison Foerster elects Eric Takeshi McCrath as new chair

Morrison Foerster elects Eric Takeshi McCrath as new chair

Upon replacing Larren Nashelsky in October, Eric Takeshi McCrath will become the firm's first ethnically diverse chair

In the wake of the recent election of Eric Takeshi McCrath to the position of chair at Morrison Foerster (MoFo), a San Francisco M&A partner, all in charge of the firm, has been elected to succeed Larren Nashelsky.

With his appointment in October, McCrath will become the firm's first ethnically diverse chair since it's almost 140 years. MoFo's executive and compensation committees are both part of his role, and he is the global co-chair of the company's corporate division.

Since joining Kirkland & Ellis in 2007, he has worked for MoFo as an associate, having started with Cravath Swaine & Moore as an associate. As well as his current roles, McCrath serves on the firm's diversity strategy committee as well as serving in various practice group leadership roles.

McCrath said: "Over the past decade, Larren, working closely with our executive leadership team, guided by our value-based strategy and client requirements, has led to tremendous success for the firm. The opportunity to take over from such a position of strength is a blessing to me."

A client base of 17 offices has been created under Nashelsky's leadership, including offices in Singapore, Berlin, Boston, and Austin at the beginning of this year. The company has also experienced a significant growth in revenue, which over the past five years has grown by 156%.

As part of MoFo's legacy of leadership in diversity, inclusion, pro bono, and community service, Nashelsky said: "I am proud of what we have achieved collectively for our clients. Taking Eric's leadership into account will ensure that the firm continues to prosper."

Asserting a smooth transition in the autumn, Nashelsky, who is New York-based, said he will work closely with McCrath over the next few months. As a partner, he will continue to focus on bankruptcy and restructuring in the US and internationally after stepping down in early October.

At the beginning of this month, MoFo welcomed life sciences specialist Matthew Ferry to the West Coast from Perkins Coie, the most recent addition.