Michael Ward is an experienced attorney and the Global Head of Morrison & Foerster's Life Sciences Practice Group. He is also the head of the firm's Patent Practice Group and co-chair of the Intellectual Property Practice Group. With his extensive background in plant intellectual property, Michael is the founder and head of the firm's Plant Intellectual Property Group. He advises and counsels clients on plant patents, new plant traits, and new plant varieties. He also manages a team that negotiates licensing agreements related to plant intellectual property and counsels clients about litigating plant IP.

Michael has managed numerous intellectual property diligences for investors, venture capitalists, underwriters involved in IPOs, and companies seeking to acquire or merge with other companies. He works with clients to develop and manage their patent portfolios, including identifying and monitoring third-party patents' infringement risks. Michael is an IP instructor at the UC Davis Licensing Academy and a frequent lecturer and speaker on various topics.

Michael's expertise has been recognized by several institutions, including the National Law Journal, which named him one of the "Top 50 Intellectual Property Trailblazers & Pioneers" in 2014, and The Recorder, which included him in its inaugural Innovators awards as an "Innovator." Michael has also been recognized in the "Lawyers to the Innovators" section of the 2013 edition of the Financial Times U.S. Innovative Lawyers report.