SAN FRANCISCO, March 16, 2026―Michael Y. Lateef has joined Duane Morris LLP as a partner in the firm’s Corporate Practice Group in its San Francisco office.
“Our Corporate Practice Group is extremely busy, with a fast-paced global deal environment and ongoing strong client demand for our sophisticated support on complex transactions,” said Duane Morris Chairman and CEO Matthew A. Taylor. “We’ll continue to invest in new capabilities that extend our reach, notably in California and the international market. Mike adds to Duane Morris his truly global experience that aligns extremely well with our core capabilities and strategic work in Asia and India in particular.”
“We welcome Mike to our team, and he immediately enhances our middle market transactional scope,” said Darrick M. Mix, co-chair of Duane Morris’ Corporate Practice Group. “As part of Duane Morris, he contributes a new facet of international experience that will be embraced by our current clients, and we will support his practice in comprehensive ways.”
“We have an entrepreneurial vision for growth, and we will continue to seek out top corporate talent, particularly in key regions including the Bay Area, New York, Miami and London,” added Michael C. Hardy, co-chair of Duane Morris’ Corporate Practice Group. “Without a doubt, we are in expansion mode.”
Lateef’s practice focuses on corporate financings, venture capital, tax, and mergers and acquisitions. He works closely with startup and private and public companies on issues related to equity and financings, tax matters, the structuring of executive compensation (including stock arrangements), strategic ventures, acquisitions and management buyouts. Lateef counsels clients in all phases of business development, including capital formation, operation, acquisition and restructuring. His practice includes material transactions representing a variety of companies in the technology industry (both software and service-based companies), health and senior care, and civil construction. Lateef has represented a variety of foreign corporations based in China, India and Europe in establishing U.S.-based operations through formation, joint ventures and acquisitions. He was previously a partner at Hanson Bridgett LLP.
“Beyond its full-service platform and global footprint, Duane Morris is recognized as a sought-after provider in the middle market deal space, which is a great place for my practice to move ahead in new ways,” said Lateef. “Having worked with the firm’s attorneys, I’m excited to be a member of the firm’s collegial and collaborative culture.”
Lateef is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law (LL.M., 2002), the University of San Francisco School of Law (J.D., 1994) and the University of California, Santa Barbara (B.A., 1990).
About Duane Morris
Duane Morris LLP provides innovative solutions to today’s multifaceted legal and business challenges through the collegial and collaborative culture of its more than 900 attorneys in offices across the United States and internationally. The firm represents a broad array of clients, spanning all major practices and industries. Duane Morris has been recognized by BTI Consulting as both a client service leader and a highly recommended law firm.
