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
Nicole Ballew Chang, Ph.D.
- (949) 679-0052
- [email protected]
Brent S. Colasurdo
- (949) 679-0052
- [email protected]
Negah M. Daily
(949) 679-0052
[email protected]
Negah specializes in commercial litigation. She assists clients of all sizes in a range of industries including commercial real estate and real estate finance.
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.
Priti Phukan, Ph.D.
- (949) 679-0052
- [email protected].com
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.
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
Halim Dhanidina Addresses Prospective Students at UCLA School of Law Admitted Student Day
Umberg/Zipser LLP (U/Z) partner Halim Dhanidina and other distinguished alumni and faculty addressed prospective students during the UCLA School of Law Admitted Student Day on April 11, 2021. Halim is alumni of UCLA School of Law (’97), and in 2013, received the UCLA Asian Pacific Islander Law Students Association Alumnus of the Year award. Halim says, “I was honored to be asked to address
Halim Dhanidina Serves as Moderator for Webinar “Appointment to the California Superior Court: Nuts & Bolts”
Umberg/Zipser partner Halim Dhanidina served as moderator for the California Asian Pacific American Judges Association webinar “Appointment to the California Superior Court: Nuts & Bolts” on April 7, 2021. The webinar featured Luis Céspedes, Governor Newsom’s new Judicial Appointments Secretary and a distinguished panel of recently appointed Judges to discuss the criteria used by the Governor to select judges and the process used to
Umberg/Zipser LLP Announces Former Appellate Justice Halim Dhanidina has Joined the Firm
Umberg/Zipser LLP (U/Z) is pleased to announce that the Honorable Halim Dhanidina (Ret.) has joined the firm to help lead the expansion of the firm’s complex litigation practice, including trials and appeals. Justice Dhanidina (Ret.) joins U/Z upon his retirement as an associate justice with Division Three of the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District in Los Angeles. Appointed in 2018, Dhanidina was
Umberg/Zipser LLP Announces Former Appellate Justice Halim Dhanidina has Joined the Firm
Umberg/Zipser LLP (U/Z) is pleased to announce that the Honorable Halim Dhanidina (Ret.) has joined the firm to help lead the expansion of the firm’s complex litigation practice, including trials and appeals. Justice Dhanidina (Ret.) joins U/Z upon his retirement as an associate justice with Division Three of the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District in Los Angeles. Appointed in 2018, Dhanidina was
Vikki Vander Woude and Ethan Feng lead OCSA to CRF-OC’s Mock Trial Semi-Finals
Umberg/Zipser is pleased to continue its long-time support of the Constitutional Rights Foundation of Orange County (CRF-OC), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting civic literacy, youth leadership, and career awareness among Orange County teens. Most recently, U/Z attorneys Vikki Vander Woude and Ethan Feng, along with Justice Halim Dhanadina of the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, and employment attorney Melissa Brandman, coached
Partner Mei Tsang Becomes Secretary of Community Legal Aid SoCal
Umberg/Zipser LLP (U/Z) is pleased to announce that partner Mei Tsang has been appointed Secretary of Community Legal Aid SoCal for the 2021/2022 term. Mei stated, “I am honored serve as Secretary for Community Legal Aid SoCal, and I look forward to furthering the organization’s mission of promoting equal access to the justice system through advocacy, self-help services, community education, legal counseling and representation.”
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.