Global law firm Morrison & Foerster enhances operational leadership with the appointment of Brian Gross as Chief Operating Officer.
Client: Morrison & Foerster LLP | Role: Chief Operating Officer | Candidate: Brian Gross
Recruiters: John Lamar, Managing Director and Sarah Mitchell, Director
Overview
Morrison & Foerster LLP (MoFo), a premier global law firm recognized for its work in technology, life sciences, finance, and litigation, partnered with The Alexander Group, a global executive search firm, to recruit a Chief Operating Officer (COO). As Morrison & Foerster continues to scale its international operations and deliver innovation-driven client service, the firm sought an experienced leader to optimize its business functions, drive operational excellence, and support long-term strategic growth.
Key Leadership Need
The firm required a Chief Operating Officer who could oversee the firm’s operational, financial, administrative, and marketing functions on a firmwide basis. The ideal candidate would enhance collaboration across practice groups and business services, strengthen internal systems, and align firm operations with Morrison & Foerster’s global growth strategy while maintaining its culture of innovation and service excellence.
The Alexander Group’s Approach
Managing Director John Lamar and Director Sarah Mitchell led a targeted executive search, focused on identifying operational leaders from top-tier law firms and professional services organizations.
Key priorities included:
- Proven leadership across finance, HR, IT, marketing, and administrative operations
- Expertise in driving business growth, operational transformation, and strategic initiatives
- Success leading cross-functional teams and fostering collaborative, high-performance cultures
Brian Gross was selected for his strategic leadership at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where he served as COO for North America and Managing Director and Partner, as well as for his proven ability to build high-performing teams and operationalize firm-wide growth strategies.
Successful Placement and Impact
Brian Gross joined Morrison & Foerster LLP as Chief Operating Officer. With over two decades of leadership experience across professional services, including BCG and prior business development and recruiting leadership roles, Brian now leads MoFo’s financial, operational, marketing, and administrative functions globally.
Immediate Impact:
- Strengthening alignment of business operations with firmwide strategic initiatives
- Optimizing internal processes to support cross-office collaboration and client service delivery
- Building operational teams and infrastructure to sustain long-term growth and innovation
Insights from the Recruiters
“Brian’s extensive experience as a senior operations executive, his demonstrated ability to build and lead teams, and his strong strategic skills will serve Morrison Foerster well as the firm continues to expand its global platform.”
— John Lamar, Managing Director, and Sarah Mitchell, Director, The Alexander Group
About Morrison & Foerster LLP
Morrison & Foerster LLP is a leading global law firm with more than 1,000 attorneys across 17 offices worldwide. The firm is widely recognized for its innovation, diversity, and outstanding client service across sectors including technology, life sciences, finance, and litigation.
About The Alexander Group
The Alexander Group is a global executive search firm and an executive search firm in Houston. The firm serves industries including legal services, life sciences, healthcare, financial services, energy, technology, consumer goods, and nonprofit organizations, delivering strategic, results-driven leadership placements tailored to each client’s needs.
Interested in learning more about our executive recruitment services? Contact The Alexander Group today.