practice areas.
Experience
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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]
The Honorable Halim Dhanidina (Ret.) is a partner at the prestigious criminal defense firm of Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP in Los Angeles, where he handles challenging and high profile criminal cases. He serves as co-counsel with Umberg/Zipser in a variety of civil matters as the firm’s Senior Trial and Appellate Counsel.

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.

Molly Magnuson
- (949) 679-0052
- [email protected]
Molly Magnuson is an experienced, results-oriented litigation attorney. Molly’s experience comes not only from working for significant clients, but also from working in some of America’s top law firms, which has created exposure to high-stakes, 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

Umberg/Zipser LLP Wins $47 Million Jury Verdict After Lengthy Trial
Umberg/Zipser LLP (U/Z) located in Irvine, CA and on behalf its client, John Park, won a $47 million jury verdict on February 3, 2022, Sonoma County Superior Court, Case No. SCV-259791. Mr. Park sued the defendant Tracey Buck-Walsh for intentional interference with contractual relations and breach of fiduciary duty. After a lengthy trial that began on November 19, 2021, a Sonoma County jury found

Umberg/Zipser LLP Named One of Orange County’s “2022 Best Places to Work” By Orange County Business Journal
For Immediate Release Umberg/Zipser LLP Named One of Orange County’s “2022 Best Places to Work” By Orange County Business Journal IRVINE, Calif. – July 5, 2022 – Umberg/Zipser LLP, a premier business litigation and intellectual property law firm, has been named one of the 2022 Best Places to Work in Orange County by the Orange County Business Journal. This survey and award program identifies

Umberg/Zipser LLP Announces Attorney Molly Magnuson has Joined the Firm
Umberg/Zipser LLP (U/Z) is delighted to welcome our newest attorney, Molly Magnuson, to our team. Molly is a seasoned attorney with extensive trial experience who will further bolster our litigation ranks. She has successfully represented clients in a broad range of complex contract and commercial litigation cases, including intellectual property, entertainment litigation, class actions and professional malpractice matters. Molly began her career and spent

Umberg/Zipser Proudly Sponsors Public Law Center’s Annual Volunteers for Justice Event 2022
Umberg/Zipser LLP (U/Z) has been privileged to continually support the Public Law Center (PLC), Orange County’s pro bono law firm providing access to justice for low-income residents. U/Z regularly takes on pro bono matters through PLC and provides financial support, and U/Z attorneys have served on PLC’s board. On Thursday, June 16th, PLC held its annual Volunteers for Justice event and, once again, U/Z

Orange County Bar Association (OCBA) Annual Judges’ Night 2022
On Thursday, April 7th, the Orange County Bar Association (OCBA) held its annual Judges’ Night. It was a special evening, as the OCBA returned to an in-person event after two years. Hundreds celebrated as the Honorable Judge David O. Carter installed the new OCBA officers and directors, including Umberg/Zipser’s own Mei Tsang as OCBA Secretary. Mei is now in line to become OCBA President

Thomas J. Umberg Recognized As 2022 Legislator of the Year
The California Lawyers Association has recognized California Senator Thomas J. Umberg as the 2022 Legislator of the Year. ” As Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Umberg has taken the lead on passing legislation that is integral to the daily practice of CLA members and that improves the lives of all Californians.” California Lawyers Association President, Jeremy M. Evans, said “CLA is grateful for the ability to work with Senator

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.


CAREERS
At Umberg/Zipser LLP, it’s the quality of our people that makes our firm and work environment rewarding and unique. We are proud to have been recognized by our team as one of Orange County’s “2022 Best Places to Work.”
If you are an exceptional attorney, who thrives on delivering top-notch client service, and enjoys practicing law in a strong team culture, we invite you to contact us to learn more about how we can support your career growth.
Umberg/Zipser is also proud to have created a work environment that promotes and honors diversity and we are an equal opportunity employer. We look forward to hearing from you soon.