The Recorder has named Daphne Higgs a Women Leader in Tech Law, and Roman Swoopes a Lawyer on the Fast Track (under 40) as part of its California Legal Awards. MoFo was also named a finalist in the Environmental, Social, and Governance Initiative category. The annual awards celebrate the achievements of lawyers and companies leading technology, innovation, and the profession as a whole.

Daphne Higgs, partner in MoFo's Technology Transactions Group, is a trusted advisor to clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies. Daphne possesses a unique ability to strategically and creatively tackle complex issues relating to AI, blockchain, social media, cloud offerings, open source, entertainment, and the metaverse. Leveraging her background in pure mathematics and corporate law, Daphne brings a valuable business and quantitative perspective to cross-border strategic alliances, post-acquisition product/service integrations and product/service launches, patent and technology licensing, M&A, privacy and data security, and other matters.

Roman Swoopes, partner in MoFo's Intellectual Property Group, focuses his practice on patent and copyright litigation and counseling. He represents clients in a range of industries, including computer software, hardware, and peripherals, data storage, digital imaging, consumer electronics, music, and graphic design. In a case the court dubbed the "World Series of IP Cases," Roman successfully argued in court against partial summary judgment on a copyright claim and in support of a favorable claim construction at a Markman hearing. He has represented clients at two intellectual property trials, where he worked closely with expert witnesses. He also represents clients at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. Roman has considerable experience in the areas of copyrightable and patent-eligible subject matter for software. Roman also co-led a pro bono team that brought a civil rights action under the California state constitution to protect students' right to access to literacy, which culminated in a $50-million settlement providing immediate relief to 75 low-performing California schools.

MoFo is one of three finalists in the Environmental, Social, and Governance Initiative (ESG) category, reflecting MoFo's position as a leader in ESG, sustainability, social impact, and pro bono work. MoFo's deep and abiding commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and environmental sustainability, spans over two decades, with the firm specifically focused on environmental sustainability since 2001. Our partners are at the forefront of the industry as founding members of the Social Accountability Standards Board, and on the boards of Ceres, Business for Social Responsibility, the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative, and the Climate Registry. Our partners also played a key role in drafting the new corporate forms to create a social purpose corporation (SPC) in California, which is substantially similar to the Delaware public benefit corporation and requires boards and management to focus on positive social and environmental impact in addition to financial returns.

"We are proud of MoFo's Daphne Higgs and Roman Swoopes for being named among The Recorder's California Legal Awards, and for being selected as a finalist in the Environmental, Social, and Governance Initiative category. These recognitions underscore our commitment to delivering legal excellence for our clients, while living our shared values and our commitment to being a future-focused firm," said Morrison Foerster Chair-Elect, Eric McCrath.

View the full list of winners and finalists here.