Morrison & Foerster Alumni News - Winter 2020

MoForever Winter 2020 | 18 Marshall Small was the first Jewish attorney hired by Morrison & Foerster, joining the firm in 1954. To the casual observer, Marshall Small became a preeminent lawyer in corporate and securities law, making partner in 1961, serving as chair from 1982 to 1984 and as senior of counsel to the firm from 1993 on. But to those who got to know Marshall during his 65 years in the MoFo family, his legal acumen, leadership talent, patience, and compassion made him one of the most beloved and important people in the firm’s history. Marshall passed away on December 8, 2019, at age 92. MARSHALL SMALL IN MEMORIAM In sad but sweet remembrance, we say a final farewell to our former chair, partner, colleague, and friend, Marshall Small. Marshall held numerous leadership positions within the firm, including chair, Managing Partner, and general counsel. But he never forgot his experience as the first Jewish lawyer in the firm and is remembered for admonishing his partners to be mindful of what a scary place a big law firm can be for those who are “just a little bit different.” His caring, collaborative approach to partnership was highly influential in creating the inclusive firm culture we enjoy today. Some of our most esteemed attorneys can attribute their accomplishments to Marshall’s outstanding mentorship. Partners and associates never stopped seeking his guidance and insight. They knew and loved Marshall best as a modest, brilliant, and approachable professional. Colleagues saw Marshall as a patient mentor who could elicit the best from everyone. Clients drawn to the firm by Marshall remain with us even today. Marshall embodied all that is best about MoFo, championing the importance of diversity and dedicating countless hours to pro bono work. Even the U.S. Supreme Court was impressed with his work, appointing him to protect the rights of a San Quentin prisoner. Marshall’s dedication to the legal profession went beyond his work with the firm to include, most notably, serving as a reporter for the American Law Institute’s Corporate Governance Project for more than a decade. He was also a fellow of the American Bar Foundation and lectured and wrote extensively on the fields of corporate and securities law. In 2002, the State Bar of California bestowed upon Marshall its Business Law Section Lifetime Achievement Award.   Marshall graduated first in his law school class at Stanford University in 1951. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Marshall served as a sailor in the Merchant Marine during and immediately after World War II. After clerking for the legendary U.S. Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, Marshall served on active duty during the Korean War in the office of the Judge Advocate General. Beyond his legal contributions, he worked as an unpaid teacher’s assistant in a primary school located in a low-income neighborhood for more than a decade. He was devoted to his wife and family; he and his wife Mary (who many in San Francisco saw every year at the office holiday party) were married for 63 years until her death early last year. While we greatly miss Marshall, his spirit forever remains at the core of our firm’s heart and soul. His memory will continue to inspire our dedication to diversity, inclusion, and compassionate pro bono work. F I RM UPDAT ES