Eight U/Z Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2021

Umberg/Zipser LLP (U/Z) is proud to announce that attorneys Mark Finkelstein, Scott Garner, Carole Reagan, Adina Stowell, Mei Tsang, Thomas Umberg and Dean Zipser have been selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America© 2021. In addition, Mark Finkelstein has been recognized as the Orange County Attorney of the Year and Brent Colasurdo listed in the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.

  • Finkelstein was again selected in the fields of “Commercial Litigation,” “Litigation – Intellectual Property,” “Litigation – Patent” and “Trademark Law” and has been on the Best Lawyers list since 2016. Finkelstein was recognized as the 2021 Lawyer of the Year in Orange County for “Trademark Law.”. The Lawyer of the Year is awarded to individual lawyers with the highest overall peer feedback for a specific practice area and geographic region. Only one lawyer is given this recognition per each specialty and location.
  • Garner was again selected for “Commercial Litigation” and “Litigation – Intellectual Property.”
  • Reagan was again selected for “Litigation – Intellectual Property” and “Commercial Litigation,” and has been on the Best Lawyers list since 2013.
  • Stowell was again selected for “Litigation – Intellectual Property” and “Litigation – Real Estate,” and has been listed since 2019.
  • Tsang has been selected this year for “Copyright Law.”
  • Umberg has been listed since 2008, and was selected for “Commercial Litigation” and “Litigation – Real Estate.”
  • Zipser was again selected for “Bet-the-Company Litigation,” “Commercial Litigation,” “Litigation – Banking and Finance,” “Litigation – Intellectual Property” and “Litigation – Real Estate,” and has been on the Best Lawyers list since 2008. Zipser has been recognized by Best Lawyers as the Lawyer of Year in Orange County for “Litigation – Intellectual Property” in 2017, and for “Bet-the-Company Litigation” in 2014.
  • Colasurdo was selected this year to the Best Lawyers’ “Ones to Watch” list for Intellectual Property Law. These awards recognize extraordinary lawyers who have been in private practice for less than 10 years in the United States.

In addition, U/Z is consistently recognized as one of the “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers. In 2020, the firm received three Tier One rankings in Commercial Litigation, Intellectual Property Litigation, and Real Estate Litigation, as well as recognition in the areas of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Banking & Finance Litigation and Patent Litigation.

Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation. 105,000 industry leading lawyers are eligible to vote (from around the world), and they have received 11+ million evaluations on the legal abilities of other lawyers based on their specific practice areas around the world. For the 2021 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America, millions of votes were analyzed, which resulted in more than 65,000 leading lawyers being included in the new edition. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers “the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice.”

Super Lawyers 2020 Selects Six Umberg/Zipser Attorneys

Umberg/Zipser Again Named to Orange County Best Law Firms List for 2020

Umberg/Zipser LLP (U/Z) is pleased to announce that the firm again has been ranked Tier One in the “Best Law Firms” list by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® for the Orange County metropolitan area. The firm has received this recognition each year since it was formed. The ranking showcases top law firms recognized by clients and peers for delivering professional excellence and for high quality ratings, and  indicate a unique combination of quality in practice and legal expertise.

In 2020, the firm again received three Tier One rankings in Commercial Litigation, Intellectual Property Litigation, and Real Estate Litigation. The firm also received recognition in the areas of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Banking & Finance Litigation and Patent Litigation.

“We are honored to again be recognized as one of the Best Law Firms in Orange County. Our firm remains committed to pursuing our clients’ objectives by providing strategic and efficient solutions, and we appreciate the continued recognition from our clients and peers,” said co-founding partner Dean Zipser.

One Umberg/Zipser client responded to the U.S. News — Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” research process by commenting, “I have retained the law firm Umberg/Zipser and have found they deserve your highest ranking. Their legal expertise at handling intellectual property legal matters is exceptional and of the highest quality. Their counsel and advice is well researched and they are always well prepared.  I have 100% confidence in their ability to successfully litigate any IP matter, or in the alternative negotiate a favorable legal resolution in a timely manner.”

Another client commented, “Umberg Zipser’s legal service is above and beyond.”

In addition to the 2020 Best Law Firms ranking, attorneys Mark Finkelstein, Scott Garner, Carole Reagan, Adina Stowell, Tom Umberg and Dean Zipser were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2020:

  • Finkelstein in the fields of “Commercial Litigation,” “Litigation – Intellectual Property,” “Litigation – Patent,” and “Trademark Law”;
  • Garner for “Commercial Litigation” and “Litigation – Intellectual Property”;
  • Reagan for “Litigation – Intellectual Property” and “Commercial Litigation”;
  • Stowell for “Litigation-Intellectual Property” and “Litigation-Real Estate”;
  • Umberg for “Commercial Litigation” and “Litigation-Real Estate”; and
  • Zipser for “Bet-the-Company Litigation,” “Commercial Litigation,” “Litigation – Banking and Finance,” “Litigation – Intellectual Property,” and “Litigation – Real Estate.”

Umberg/Zipser Again Included in the Civic 50 OC List for 2019

Umberg/Zipser LLP (U/Z) is honored to be named again one of Orange County’s 50 most community-minded companies by the Orange County Business Journal in partnership with OneOC, Points of Light and True Impact. This is the third year that Umberg/Zipser has been honored with the award.

Umberg/Zipser attorneys hold or have held leadership roles with over 25 professional, pro bono, and charitable organizations, as well as governmental positions, and have dedicated over 1,200 hours of service to the community in the past year alone.

“We are honored to be recognized again in the Civic 50 OC. All of our attorneys are leaders in our community, and we believe it is a privilege and part of our core values to give back to our profession and our community,” said Dean Zipser, co-founding partner.

Civic 50 OC honorees are selected based upon four dimensions of their community engagement programs: investment, integration, institutionalization and impact, as determined by an annual survey independently administered and scored by True Impact.

In addition to the Civic 50 Orange County List, special category awards were announced at the Civic 50 Orange County Awards Luncheon on October 16, 2019 at the Hotel Irvine.

The Civic 50 Special Report and List will publish on October 21, 2019 in the Orange County Business Journal.

Dean Zipser Becomes President of the OC Chapter of the Federal Bar Association

Umberg/Zipser LLP (U/Z) is pleased to announce that co-founding partner Dean Zipser has been elected President of the Orange County Chapter of the Federal Bar Association (FBA/OC), effective November 1, 2019. Dean was installed at FBA/OC’s annual Judges’ Night on October 17.

Dean was a founding member of FBA/OC and has been on the board of directors for many years. Dean states, “I am humbled and honored for this opportunity to serve as President of the FBA/OC. I am committed to furthering the mission of the organization, by serving the needs of federal practitioners in Orange County.”

In addition to Dean’s significant involvement, Umberg/Zipser attorney Brent Colasurdo currently serves on the Board of the FBA/OC Young Lawyers Division, and as Editor-in-Chief of the Association’s Newsletter, and Adina Stowell and Mark Finkelstein have served as board members.

The FBA/OC is committed to meeting the needs of federal practitioners in Orange County, California by sponsoring important “Bench and Bar” programs, and continuing legal education and other social events. These events all focus on issues relevant to federal practitioners and provide an important bridge between the Federal Judges in Orange County and the attorneys who practice before them. Learn more here: fedbar.org/Chapters/Orange-County-Chapter.aspx

 

Mei Tsang Again Serves as Co-Chair and Umberg/Zipser Sponsors OCBA Charitable Fund’s 2019 Raise Your Glass Fundraiser

Umberg/Zipser partner Mei Tsang again served as co-chair for the Orange County Bar Association Charitable Fund’s (OCBACF) annual Raise Your Glass event on Thursday, August 22 at the Newport Beach Country Club. Mei and Umberg/Zipser partner Scott Garner currently serve on the Board of Directors for both the Orange County Bar Association and its Charitable Fund. Scott also serves as President-Elect of the OCBA. Umberg/Zipser is proud to be a long-time supporter of the OCBACF, and is an Underwriter Sponsor for the event.

Raise Your Glass is the marquee wine tasting and charity awards benefit that is organized by the OCBACF, a nonprofit foundation raising money for law-related charities in Orange County. The event is held to help raise much-needed funds to support law-related organizations and programs in Orange County, including Constitutional Rights Foundation of Orange County, Legal Aid Society of Orange County and Southeast Los Angeles, Public Law Center, and law school and domestic violence clinics and programs. Read more about the event here: http://www.ocbacf.org/ryg/.

Umberg/Zipser Sponsors Orange County Women Lawyers Association’s Annual Gala

Umberg/Zipser LLP (U/Z) is proud to again have sponsored the Orange County Women Lawyers Association’s (OCWLA) Annual Gala on October 3 at the Pelican Hill Resort.

This year, the Honorable Elizabeth Macias was honored as “Judge of The Year”, Lei Lei Wang Ekvall was recognized as “Attorney of The Year”, and Walsworth was presented with the “Advancement of Women Award”. The OCWLA is dedicated to advancing women in the legal profession by providing a professional network, raising awareness of discrimination and bias, and supporting charitable organizations. Learn more here: www.ocwla.org.

Dean Zipser Selected to Serve as Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference Lawyer Representative

Umberg/Zipser LLP (U/Z) is pleased to announce that co-founding partner Dean Zipser has been selected again to serve as a Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference Lawyer Representative. This is the second time Dean has been appointed as a Lawyer Representative. His three-year term will begin November 1, 2019.

Umberg/Zipser co-founding partner Thomas Umberg and partner Mark Finkelstein have also previously served as Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference Lawyer Representatives.

Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference Lawyer Representatives represent attorneys practicing in each of the Ninth Circuit’s fifteen districts in nine western states and two Pacific Island jurisdictions. They play an important role in the administration of justice in the circuit. Representatives work to foster open communications between judges and attorneys, and provide support and advice in the functioning of the courts. Learn more here: www.ca9.uscourts.gov

 

 

 

Umberg/Zipser Adds to Litigation and Intellectual Property Groups with Addition of Vikki Vander Woude and Nicole Ballew Chang

Umberg/Zipser is pleased to announce that business litigation partner Vikki L. Vander Woude and patent agent Nicole Ballew Chang, Ph.D. have joined the firm. 

“We are pleased to welcome Vikki and Nicole to the Umberg/Zipser team. Their experience is directly aligned with our focus of strategically growing in the areas of business litigation and intellectual property. We remain committed to meeting our clients’ objectives with maximum efficiency and flexibility,” said co-founding partner, Dean Zipser.

Vikki L. Vander Woude focuses her practice on commercial litigation, litigation consulting and neutral services. She represents both plaintiffs and defendants, companies and individuals, in business, real estate, employment, and class action and other multi-party litigation, and also assists smaller and mid-sized businesses as an “outside in-house” counsel with management and oversight of litigation, legal expenses, discovery, proactive risk management and alternative dispute resolution. Vikki is experienced in all phases of litigation, including trials and alternative dispute resolution proceedings.Immediately prior to joining the firm,Vikki served as a Senior Research Attorney for the Orange County Superior Courtin the Complex and Unlimited Civil Divisions.

Vikki commented, “I am thrilled to re-join some of my former colleagues from the Morrison & Manatt firms, and the rest of the Umberg/Zipser team. I am proud to work with such a wonderful group of attorneys who are deeply committed to client and community service.” 

Nicole Ballew Chang focuses her practice on domestic and international patent prosecution in biotechnology, life sciences, and chemical arts. Nicole’s educational and professional background serves clients well in her role on the Umberg/Zipser team. Her years of experience as a patent agent together with her experience in molecular and cellular biology provide her with unique insight into the intellectual property challenges faced by those in the scientific industries, and enable her to provide clients with strategic solutions as well as provide support for due diligence and licensing matters. Prior to joining Umberg Zipser, Nicole served as a patent agent at Lewis Roca Rothergerber Christie, LLP.

Nicole also commented, “I am honored to join the impressive Umberg/Zipser team.  I am excited to have the opportunity to work with such a sincere group of experienced professionals to serve the firm’s clients.” 

Tom Umberg Again Named to the “OC 500” by Orange County Business Journal

Umberg/Zipser is pleased to announce that co-founding partner Thomas J. Umberg has been selected again for the Orange County Business Journal’s “OC 500 Directory of Influence” in 2018. This list honors the most influential individuals from throughout Orange County. Honorees range from top executives at the largest publicly traded or privately held companies to up-and-comers, as well as a diverse group of governmental, philanthropic, religious and other civic representatives who contribute to the community of business.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the OCBJ alongside these distinguished community leaders. I have dedicated my career to the law and Orange County community. I am thankful for the opportunity to continue to serve our clients and community,” said Tom Umberg.

Tom Umberg has extensive trial experience in both federal and state courts. He has successfully tried over 100 cases to verdict or judgment; including complex matters involving health care, real estate, work place harassment, construction defects, employee pension plans, etc. As a federal criminal prosecutor, he tried numerous white collar and civil rights cases, including tax evasion schemes. Tom has been selected for the prestigious publication “The Best Lawyers in America®” in commercial litigation for 11 consecutive years. He is a retired Army Colonel, veteran of Afghanistan, and Bronze Star recipient.