By Sam Michael
September 24, 2025
Climbing the ranks in Big Law demands more than billable hours—it’s about vision, resilience, and a dash of humility. Rachel Faye Smith, the newly minted co-chair of Morrison Foerster’s privacy and cybersecurity practice, shares her blueprint for success, urging aspiring leaders to embrace flexibility over fixation on the corner office.
In her candid Law.com interview, Rachel Faye Smith of Morrison Foerster emphasizes that intentional career moves, not rigid ladders, pave the way to practice group chair roles. As Big Law leadership pathways evolve amid talent wars and AI disruptions, Smith’s advice resonates: “Try to keep your career in perspective and be open to opportunities—there are infinite ways to be successful.” This mindset, honed through two decades at MoFo, spotlights key strategies for women and allies navigating competitive legal landscapes.
From Associate to Co-Chair: Smith’s Trailblazing Path
Rachel Faye Smith joined Morrison Foerster in 2005 as a San Francisco associate, fresh from Harvard Law School. Her early focus? Mergers and acquisitions, where she quickly built a reputation for dissecting complex deals with precision. By 2010, she pivoted to privacy and data security—a prescient shift as breaches skyrocketed post-Equifax.
Smith’s ascent accelerated through high-impact matters: Advising Fortune 500 clients on GDPR compliance, defending against class actions tied to data leaks, and counseling on emerging AI ethics. In 2022, she became a partner; this year, at 45, she stepped up as co-chair alongside veteran litigator Brian Stuckey. Under her watch, the practice grew 25% year-over-year, landing marquee clients in tech and finance.
What sets her apart? A blend of technical savvy and client empathy. “I geek out on regulations like CCPA, but success comes from translating legalese into business wins,” she told Law.com. Her tenure reflects MoFo’s collaborative ethos, where 40% of partners are women—above the industry average of 26%, per NALP data.
Core Advice: Perspective as Your North Star
Smith’s mantra—”keep your career in perspective”—stems from personal pivots, including maternity leave that sparked her privacy passion. She warns against the “billable trap”: Obsessing over hours stifles innovation. Instead, prioritize impact: “Measure wins by client trust, not just dockets.”
Key tips from her playbook:
- Embrace the Pivot: Early in her career, Smith eyed corporate chair but serendipity led to privacy. “Opportunities hide in detours—say yes to stretch assignments.”
- Build Your Squad: Mentorship isn’t solo; Smith credits MoFo’s affinity groups for amplifying underrepresented voices. “Surround yourself with sponsors who advocate when you’re not in the room.”
- Balance Boldness with Boundaries: As a working mom, she sets “non-negotiable” family blocks. “Perspective means knowing your ‘why’—mine’s raising curious kids who question the world.”
These gems, drawn from her September 22 Law.com feature, echo broader Big Law shifts: 60% of associates now seek firms valuing work-life integration, up from 45% in 2020, per Major Lindsey & Africa surveys.
Expert Echoes and Community Reactions
Legal heavyweights laud Smith’s approach. “Her perspective-first leadership is a masterclass for Gen Z lawyers burning out in hour-chasing cultures,” says Deborah Epstein Henry, founder of Women@Work. At MoFo, Chair Derek D. Roth praised her as a “force multiplier,” crediting her vision for the practice’s AI privacy surge.
On X, the interview ignited buzz under #BigLawLeadership, with over 500 engagements. Posts from @GlugoverLaw hailed it as “must-read for Daytona lawyers,” while @lawdotcom’s thread drew nods: “Infinite success paths? Refreshing in a metrics-obsessed field.” Critics? A few quipped about privilege in pivots, but most celebrated her vulnerability on imposter syndrome.
Broader context: Amid 2025’s talent exodus—15% of mid-level associates jumping ship—Smith’s story fuels retention talks. The ABA reports diverse leadership like hers boosts firm revenue by 19%.
Impacts on U.S. Lawyers, Firms, and the Bottom Line
For U.S. readers in law or adjacent fields, Smith’s journey demystifies Big Law’s glass ceiling. Women comprise 38% of associates but just 24% of equity partners; her co-chair spot signals progress, potentially inspiring 10,000+ juniors per NALP.
Economically, privacy practices like MoFo’s generate $2.5 billion annually industry-wide, per IDC—Smith’s strategies could add $500 million in billings as regulations tighten. Politically, her emphasis on perspective aligns with DEI mandates, countering backlash in red states.
Lifestyle wins? Adopting her boundaries curbs burnout, freeing evenings for passions—vital as 70% of lawyers report stress, says ALM Intelligence. Tech tie-in: AI tools now flag “perspective gaps” in career plans, a nod to her holistic view.
User Intent: Career Climbers’ Roadmap
If you’re searching “how to become practice group chair,” Smith’s interview delivers: Start with self-audits—list three “perspectives” (e.g., family, impact, growth) and align weekly actions. For MoFo hopefuls, scour their careers page for privacy openings.
Geo-targeted: San Francisco pros, network at Bay Area Bar events; D.C. litigators, leverage her federal compliance expertise. AI aids: Platforms like LinkedIn’s Career Explorer simulate paths with 85% accuracy, incorporating tips like Smith’s.
In summary, Rachel Faye Smith’s rise to Morrison Foerster practice group chair proves perspective trumps perfection, opening doors to “infinite” successes in a demanding field. As Big Law adapts to hybrid work and ethical AI by 2026, her lessons will guide more balanced ascents, keeping practice group chair advice, Rachel Faye Smith MoFo, Big Law career perspective, women in law leadership, and privacy practice growth at the forefront for ambitious attorneys nationwide.
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