Experience
Integrity
Results
Firm Overview
About Us
Umberg/Zipser LLP is a premier business litigation and intellectual property boutique law firm. Drawing on decades of experience in some of the nation’s largest and most prestigious law firms, as well as national and state government service, our lawyers provide exceptional work with the unparalleled personal service of a boutique.
Our Culture
Umberg/Zipser believes in giving back, both to our community and to our profession. We regularly handle pro bono matters, and our attorneys devote countless hours to supporting — and leading — professional and community organizations. It would be difficult to find another firm in Orange County, regardless of size, that can boast the number of community leaders that exist at Umberg/Zipser.
Why Us?
By combining big-firm experience with small-firm efficiencies, we can handle complex matters for large companies, but we also are nimble enough to represent small companies and entrepreneurs. Our clients come to us because we deliver the highest quality work product together with extraordinary service.
Practice Areas
We Have the Experience to Handle a Wide Array of Matters
Professionals
We Have Exceptional Attorneys Who Stand Ready to Serve Our Clients
Brent S. Colasurdo
- (949) 679-0052
- [email protected]
Ryan S. Dean
- (949) 679-0052
- [email protected]
Halim Dhanidina
(949) 679-0052
[email protected]
Halim practices in U/Z’s trial practice group after retiring as an appellate court justice with Division Three of the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District in LA.
Ethan Feng
- (949) 679-0052
- [email protected]
Ethan Feng is an associate at Umberg/Zipser where he focuses his practice in complex commercial litigation, professional liability disputes, and employment litigation.
Martin Fessenmaier, Ph.D.
- (949) 679-0052
- [email protected]
Mark A. Finkelstein
- (949) 679-0052
- [email protected]
Mark Finkelstein is a partner at Umberg/Zipser with more than 25 years of intellectual property and complex litigation experience.
Scott B. Garner
- (949) 679-0052
[email protected]
Scott B. Garner is a partner at Umberg/Zipser in Irvine, California. He represents clients in complex business litigation matters, with a particular focus on professional liability disputes and ethics counseling.
Phillip R. Kaplan
Partner
(949) 679-0052- [email protected]
Phillip R. Kaplan is a recognized leader in the Orange County legal community, and is an accomplished business trial lawyer with a record of handling his client’s most difficult cases.
Ellen S. Kim
(949) 679-0052- [email protected]
Ellen Kim is an Associate at Umberg/Zipser LLP (U/Z) where she focuses her practice in complex commercial litigation.
Priti Phukan, Ph.D.
- (949) 679-0052
- [email protected]
Carole E. Reagan
- (949) 679-0052
- [email protected]
Todd W. Smith
- (949) 679-0052
- [email protected]
Adina W. Stowell
- (949) 679-0052
- [email protected]
Adina Stowell specializes in complex litigation involving corporate, commercial, trade secret, and real estate disputes in both state and federal courts.
Jason Tejani
Jason Tejani concentrates his practice on patent prosecution and intellectual property (IP) transactional matters. Prior to his legal career, he was a chemist at a global chemical company.
Mei Tsang
- (949) 679-0052
- [email protected]
Thomas J. Umberg
- (949) 679-0052
- [email protected]
Vikki L. Vander Woude
- (949) 679-0052
- [email protected]
Dean J. Zipser
(949) 679-0052- [email protected]
Dean J. Zipser is a recognized leader in the Orange County legal community, having served as President of the Orange County Bar Association (OCBA) along with many other professional leadership positions.
NEWS and EVENTS
Umberg/Zipser in the Community
Super Lawyers 2022 Selects Seven Umberg/Zipser Attorneys
Umberg/Zipser LLP is proud to announce that seven of its partners have been included in the Southern California Super Lawyers list for 2022, a recognition reserved for only five percent of the lawyers in California. Co-founding partner Dean Zipser and Partner Scott Garner, have also been recognized again as 2022 Top 50 Orange County Lawyers. The following Umberg/Zipser attorneys have been recognized in the 2022 Southern
Partner Mei Tsang Elected as Secretary of the Orange County Bar Association (OCBA)
On Thursday, January 13th, the Orange County Bar Association (OCBA) installed its new officers and directors for the year 2022 in a small ceremony outdoors. We are delighted to now formally congratulate Umberg/Zipser’s own partner, Mei Tsang, on her new role as OCBA Secretary! In 2025, Mei will become the third U/Z attorney who will have served as OCBA President, following Dean Zipser and
Umberg/Zipser LLP Announces Attorney Ellen S. Kim has Joined the Firm
Umberg/Zipser (U/Z) is delighted to welcome our newest attorney, Ellen S. Kim, to our team! Ellen brings a broad range of successful legal experience, having represented clients in complex commercial litigation matters including business disputes and consumer class actions. Ellen also maintains an active pro bono practice, where she represents survivors of human trafficking and asylum seekers. Prior to joining U/Z, Ellen served as
Project Youth’s Annual Meeting Event
Umberg/Zipser (U/Z) congratulates our partner, Mark Finkelstein, on his election to the Board of Directors for Project Youth OCBF. Mark was sworn in on Tuesday evening at Project Youth’s Annual Meeting and Society of Fellows Recognition Reception held at The Boardwalk in Irvine. U/Z partner, Dean Zipser, who has served as a board member for approximately 15 years, was sworn in as a member
Umberg/Zipser Again Sponsors OCBA Charitable Fund’s Raise Your Glass Fundraiser
The OCBA Charitable Fund’s recent annual “Raise Your Glass” event was once again a special experience. Umberg/Zipser (U/Z) continued to be a sponsor and our attorneys play a prominent role in the organization. Scott Garner is the Charitable Fund’s current president, Dean Zipser is a past president, and Mei Tsang has been a long-time board member. The OCBA’s mission is “To Enhance the System
Umberg/Zipser Continues Key Roles at ABTL Annual Seminar
Umberg/Zipser LLP (U/Z) once again had a meaningful role in the Association of Business Trial Lawyers’ (ABTL) 47th Annual Seminar, “Evolution of Business Litigation: Adapting and Overcoming” on October 20-24, 2021. Vikki Vander Woude is an ABTL board member and served on the planning committee for the event. Hon. Halim Dhanidina (Ret.) participated on the panel and delivered one of two closing arguments at
CAREERS
If you are an exceptional attorney who thrives on delivering top-notch client service, and would enjoy practicing law in a small, collegial environment, we invite you to contact us to learn more about how we can support your career growth. Umberg/Zipser is proud of its diversity, and is an equal opportunity employer.