Halim Dhanidina Addresses Prospective Students at UCLA School of Law Admitted Student Day

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Halim Dhanidina Addresses Prospective Students at UCLA School of Law Admitted Student Day

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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 the next generation of lawyers. When I started at UCLA Law many years ago, I never would have predicted that my career would take me through the trial court, judicial branch, and now with a premier litigation firm. The education I received at UCLA has played a significant role in all that I have done in the legal profession.”

Since college, Halim has been of great service to the community of Los Angeles. Before joining U/Z, Halim served as an appellate court justice with Division Three of the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, in Los Angeles. Halim was the first South Asian American to serve as an appellate justice in the State of California and the first Muslim appellate-level judge in the United States. Prior to his appointment to the Court of Appeal, Halim served for six years on the Los Angeles County Superior Court, making him the first Muslim judge ever appointed in California history. Prior to his judicial career, Halim had extensive trial experience as a Deputy District Attorney of Los Angeles County, where he prosecuted 68 jury trials in 14 years, primarily while assigned to the Hardcore Gang and Major Crimes Divisions.

Halim Dhanidina Serves as Moderator for Webinar “Appointment to the California Superior Court: Nuts & Bolts”

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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 vet and appoint them.

Vikki Vander Woude and Ethan Feng lead OCSA to CRF-OC’s Mock Trial Semi-Finals

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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 Orange County School of the Arts’ mock trial team in CRF-OC’s first “virtual only” high school mock trial competition, ending with an impressive 6-1 record and advancing to the semi-finals for the first time since Vikki and OCSA teacher sponsors Whitney Coates and Julie Scheppele formed the team four years ago.  CRF’s mock trial program provides high school students the opportunity to develop impressive trial advocacy and public speaking skills, as well as a deep understanding of the purpose and role of all participants in the criminal justice system.

Vikki is an award-winning CRF mock trial coach who has formed and developed numerous teams in Orange County over the past 12 years and currently serves on the mock trial committee of CRF-OC’s Board of Directors. Attorney Ethan Feng is a graduate of UCLA Law School, where he was the co-president of the UCLA Law Mock Trial Program, and led the program to victory in various national competitions.

Vikki said, “We are very proud of these talented students. They put in a lot of hard work and were able to collaborate as a team and compete at the highest level in this very challenging virtual environment.”

The firm has a long history of leadership in CRF-Orange County. Partner Adina Stowell served as CRF-OC’s 2014/2015 President and has been a Board Member since 2006. Co-founding partner Dean Zipser served as the organization’s 2017/2018 President, and has been a Board Member since 2007.

Read more about CRF-OC here. 

Umberg/Zipser Continues Its Prominence With Orange County Bar Association

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Umberg/Zipser LLP (U/Z) continues to play a major role with the Orange County Bar Association (OCBA).  On January 21, 2021, OCBA held its annual Judges’ Night and Annual Meeting (for the first time virtually).  At the meeting,  partner Scott B. Garner, the Immediate Past President of OCBA, was sworn in as an officer of the OCBA and as 2021 President of the Orange County Bar Association Charitable Fund (OCBACF).

After having led the OCBA through unprecedented times, Scott now takes the helm of  OCBACF, which oversees and administers the charitable giving for the OCBA. It is dedicated to bettering the Orange County community and legal profession by facilitating access to justice. OCBACF raises and distributes monetary contributions to carefully selected Orange County law-related organizations.

Garner is immediate Past-President of the OCBA, has served on the Board of Directors for the OCBACF and as co-chair of the OCBA Professionalism and Ethics Committee. As a partner with U/Z, Scott represents clients in complex business litigation matters, with a focus on professional liability disputes and ethics counseling. He also frequently serves as an expert witness on legal ethics and standard of care issues.

“I am honored to serve as 2021 President of the OCBA Charitable Fund. I look forward to working with a dedicated group of professionals with the mission to enhance the system of justice and promote equal justice for all,” says Scott.

In addition to Scott’s leadership role, U/Z partner Mei Tsang was sworn in and will again serve on the Board of Directors of both the OCBA and the OCBACF. Mei also co-chairs OCBA’s Diversity Committee.

The annual meeting also recognized all of the recipients of OCBA’s highest honor, the Franklin G. West Award. Umberg/Zipser co-founding partner Dean J. Zipser, a former OCBA President, received the honor in 2017, given annually to an attorney or judge in recognition of lifetime achievements that have advanced justice and the law.

Scott, Mei, and Dean are part of a long history of service by the firm’s lawyers to the OCBA, as well a host of other professional and community organization.

Tom Umberg Featured in Daily Journal Article: Umberg Appointed New State Senate Judiciary Chair

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Umberg/Zipser LLP (U/Z) co-founding partner, California State Senator and newly appointed Chair of the California Senate Judiciary Committee Thomas J. Umberg was featured in a Daily Journal article titled, “New State Senate Judiciary Chair Likes to Get into the Weeds” published on December 16, 2020.

The article highlights Tom’s significant impact as a California State senator and explains that a goal of the California Senate Judiciary Committee will be to address the impact of COVID on California’s civil justice system.

“The cost and the time consumed in discovery are overwhelming the civil litigation process,” Umberg said. “One of the things I will focus on and have focused on is reducing the gamesmanship and the costs that are currently part and parcel of discovery.”

The Judiciary Committee has the broadest jurisdiction of the Senate policy committees. Legislation in the following categories are within its jurisdiction: bills amending the Civil Code, Code of Civil Procedure, Evidence Code, Family Code, and Probate Code; bills relating to courts, judges, and court personnel; bills relating to liens, claims, and unclaimed property; and, bills relating to privacy and consumer protection.

If you have a Daily Journal subscription, you can click here to log-in and read the article.

U/Z Honored as Law Firm of the Year at the VLI 2020 Lawyers for Warriors Event

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Umberg/Zipser LLP (U/Z) was proud to be recognized as the 2020 Law Firm of the Year by the Veterans Legal Institute (VLI) at its annual Lawyers for Warriors Networking and Fundraising Event. This year’s event was held virtually. Partner Scott Garner, who has led the firm’s pro bono team in support of the organization, accepted the award on behalf of the firm. In addition to being a long-standing supporter of VLI, U/Z was again a proud sponsor of the event.

VLI recognized the firm’s contributions by noting, “One of the core values of Umberg/Zipser LLP, a premier business litigation and intellectual property boutique law firm, is giving back to the profession and community. The firm supports – through contributions and participation – a host of organizations, and its attorneys devote countless hours to professional, community, and charitable service. The firm includes current and former presidents of organizations such as the Orange County Bar Association, the Orange County Bar Association Charitable Fund, the Federal Bar Association of Orange County, the Association of Business Trial Lawyers (Orange County), and the Constitutional Rights Foundation of Orange County, and board members of organizations such as Public Law Center, Project Youth OCBF, Community Legal Aid SoCal, Mercy House, CASA-OC, and Pretend City, to name just a few. Co-founded by a retired U.S. Army colonel and the son of a Naval officer, the firm proudly supports veterans in general and VLI in particular in a variety of ways, including pro bono legal representation.”

U/Z’s co-founding partner Dean Zipser commented, “We are humbled by this recognition. A vital component of our firm’s culture is our commitment to providing pro bono legal services to individuals and organizations with limited financial means. It is our firm’s honor to support our veterans through VLI. We are grateful for the sacrifice and bravery of all those who have served, and those who continue to serve.”

VLI provides pro bono legal assistance to homeless, at risk, disabled and low income current and former service members to eradicate barriers to housing, healthcare, education, and employment. VLI is one of the very few public interest law firms in the nation dedicated entirely to current and former US service members.  Proceeds from Lawyers for Warriors Event will ensure that veterans can receive free legal services so they can thrive.

Umberg/Zipser Again Named to Orange County Best Law Firms List for 2021

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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.

For 2021, the firm received four Tier One rankings, in Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Intellectual Property Litigation, and Real Estate Litigation. The firm also received recognition in the areas of Banking & Finance Litigation, Patent Litigation and Trademark Law.

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

Once again, U/Z clients were effusive in their comments, responding to the U.S. News — Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” research process by commenting, among other things, “Umberg Zipser is a world class law firm exhibiting the highest level of competence and professionalism,” and that “Umberg Zipser asks the right questions and they make the most of every answer.”

In addition to the 2021 Best Law Firms ranking, 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.

Attorneys are ranked in the following practice areas:

  • Finkelstein for 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;
  • Tsang for Copyright Law;
  • Umberg for Commercial Litigation and Litigation – Real Estate;
  • Zipser for Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Intellectual Property and Litigation – Real Estate;
  • Colasurdo – “Ones to Watch” list for Intellectual Property Law.

Business Litigation Partner Phillip Kaplan Joins Umberg/Zipser

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Umberg/Zipser LLP is pleased to announce that partner Phillip R. Kaplan has joined the firm.

Kaplan is an accomplished business trial lawyer with a record of handling his client’s most difficult cases. Phil has a track record of success in cases involving real estate development, securities, mergers and acquisitions, government procurement, technology, consumer class actions, product liability, insurance coverage, professional liability, and environmental litigation. Kaplan represents clients of all sizes, ranging from large business financial institutions and government entities to start ups and high net worth individuals and families. Among his many high-profile cases, Phil co-led a team on behalf of the California State Controller with U/Z’s Sen. Tom Umberg in a successful contract action against SAP Public Services Inc. over the failed implementation of a new payroll system for the state.

“I have known Phil for over 25 years, both as a friend and a colleague. I am thrilled that he is joining U/Z. Phil’s professionalism, collaborative approach and dedication to client service, and commitment to giving back to our community are in direct alignment with U/Z’s core values and culture. We are proud to welcome him as a partner at our firm,” stated U/Z Managing Partner Dean Zipser.

Kaplan commented, “I have had the opportunity to work alongside a number of U/Z attorneys in high stakes litigation, and have respected their drive, teamwork and, most importantly, their impressive results. We share a laser-focus on excellence and achieving the best outcomes for our clients.  For me, this is a welcome reunion with former colleagues and a chance to blaze a new trail in a smaller, more nimble, litigation-focused firm.”

Consistent with U/Z’s commitment to community service, Phil is dedicated to serving the Orange County community and has held a variety of leadership roles with local organizations including Mercy House, the Federal Bar Association, Association of Business Trial Lawyers, Orange County Bar Association, Constitutional Rights Foundation of Orange County, and Public Law Center.

Kaplan has been repeatedly recognized for his legal accomplishments and his community involvement.  He is a perennial selection as a Super Lawyer® and was recognized by America’s Top 100 Bet-the-Company Litigators® in 2020.  He has received awards for his public service, including the Anti-Defamation League’s Marcus Kaufman Jurisprudence Award for outstanding contributions to the legal profession and the community.  Phil has been honored for his ongoing commitment to pro bono work.  For example, he received USC’s Public Interest Law Foundation’s Paul Davis Memorial Award to the USC Law Alumnus “Lawyer of the Year” for Pro Bono Work, and the Public Law Center Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Work for the homeless.

Kaplan added, “I look forward to working with an incredible team of accomplished professionals at U/Z. I am honored to have been asked to play a role in the firm’s continued strategic growth.”

Prior to joining U/Z, Kaplan was a litigation partner at O’Melveny & Myers LLP, and most recently with Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP.

In addition to welcoming Kaplan, the firm recently announced the hiring of two new associates Ethan Feng and Negah Daily, further bolstering its litigation ranks.

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

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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.

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

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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/.