Partner Morgan Xu was recently profiled in the Law.com "How I Made Partner" series, where he discussed his career path, joining Foley Hoag and advice he's received.
Xu emphasized the importance of goalsetting early on in one's career, particularly for associates hoping to make partner, advising "first, set the goal clearly and commit to it. Making partner is a marathon, not a sprint. Second, accept that the path is rarely linear."
He also encouraged younger attorneys to be more open about their goals and to not be afraid about taking time to build relationships: "Don't hesitate so much before reaching out, offering help, or expressing interest—most missed opportunities start with unnecessary second-guessing. And enjoy the process....Many experiences that don't seem consequential at the time turn out to be meaningful investments later."
Xu, whose clients include both large and small biotech and life sciences companies, said that he chose to join Foley Hoag because it was a full-service firm that could help him grow his practice and meet his clients' needs at every stage of their growth: "My clients span different stages of growth and face evolving needs—corporate financing, regulatory coordination, employment matters, and beyond. I wanted to be at a firm that could serve those needs seamlessly, without forcing clients to look elsewhere as they scale."
Xu noted that his diverse background has provided him with a unique perspective which enables him to relate to his clients and build trust with them, something which continues to motivate him: "Clients always have choices. The fact that they trust me with their legal and business needs is something I never take for granted. That trust drives my commitment to quality, transparency, and clear communication—delivering thoughtful work, setting expectations early and avoiding surprises."
Read the full Q&A on Law.com.