Keith Chidester Wetmore

Keith C. Wetmore is the former Chair of Morrison & Foerster. From 2000-2012, he took the lead in setting policy and providing strategic direction to the 1000-lawyer global law firm. During his tenure, the firm more than doubled revenue and tripled net income, and expanded internationally and domestically in key financial and technology centers. Morrison & Foerster is one of only eight firms from the original Am Law 100 with at least 1,000 percent growth in gross revenue and 500 percent growth in profits per partner.

Morrison & Foerster thrived under Mr. Wetmore’s leadership, and remained committed to its legendary core values: superior client service, legal excellence, a culture of collegiality, and its renowned tradition of pro bono excellence and community service. The firm strengthened its global platform, particularly in Asia, where it is the leading international firm in Tokyo. The firm also deepened its litigation, transactional and regulatory capabilities in key sectors such as financial institutions, intellectual property and technology, life sciences, cleantech, real estate, and consumer/retail. Morrison & Foerster continues to be one of the top firms in California, and during Mr. Wetmore's tenure the New York office grew substantially.

Before becoming Chair, Mr. Wetmore led the firm’s 50-lawyer Finance and Infrastructure practice, bringing to his engagements 20 years' experience in debt and lease finance, both domestic and international. Mr. Wetmore has represented money center banks as agent in syndicated credit facilities, including multi-billion dollar working capital and acquisition financings, as well as smaller transactions, with particular emphasis in the technology, energy, and forest products sectors.

While at the University of Michigan Law School, Mr. Wetmore served as Articles Editor for the Michigan Law Review and was elected to the Order of the Coif. Following law school, he clerked for the Hon. J. Edward Lumbard of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and then joined Morrison & Foerster as an associate.