Carl Anton Leonard

1940 - 2025

Carl Anton Leonard
09/01/1940 - 11/23/2025
Carl Leonard was born in Chicago in 1940 to Charles and Elizabeth Leonard, Danish immigrants determined to build a better life in America. Smart and driven, he was the first in his family to attend college. At the University of Kansas, he studied mechanical engineering, served as president of his Phi Psi fraternity, and met his future wife, Sarah, on a blind date. She later said he was "the funniest, most mature man I ever met."
After marrying in 1963 and moving to the San Francisco Bay Area, Carl began his career as an engineer at Standard Oil before deciding to pursue law. At UC Law San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings), he became Editor-in-Chief of the law journal and graduated second in his class.
Carl joined Morrison Foerster in 1968, where over 26 years he built lifelong friendships and an extraordinary career. A corporate attorney, he later served as managing partner of the San Francisco office and went on to become the firm's youngest chairman at age 44. During his decade as chairman, the firm grew from 200 lawyers in six offices to 650 lawyers across 14 offices worldwide. At the time, the National Law Journal named Morrison one of the fastest-growing U.S. law firms and recognized Carl as one of the 100 most influential lawyers in America.
As a leader, Carl was especially proud of strengthening the firm's commitment to pro bono work, community service, and the advancement of women and minorities. Known for his principles, willingness to innovate, and sense of humor, he led with honesty, generosity, and care.
After retiring from Morrison Foerster, Carl devoted himself to teaching leadership and law firm management-and became a trusted mentor to countless students and young leaders. He founded the Hildebrandt Institute, taught at Nottingham Law School in the UK, lectured at Columbia Business School's Executive Education Program, and served as Program Director and Assistant Professor in the George Washington University Master's Program in Law Firm Management.
Above all, Carl found his greatest joy in family. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather-strong, steady, and deeply loving. He is dearly missed by his wife Sarah, children Jennifer and Michael, daughter-in-law Susan, and grandchildren Wyatt, Caitlin, and Penny.