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

Dean Zipser

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

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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

 

Umberg/Zipser Again Sponsors CRF-OC’s Annual Benefit

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Umberg/Zipser LLP (U/Z) was proud to again support the Constitutional Rights Foundation, Orange County’s (CRF-OC) Annual Benefit event on October 29, 2019.

The firm has a long history of leadership in CRF-OC. 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. Partner Vikki Vander Woude has coached high school mock trial for approximately 12 years, serves on the CRF Mock Trial Committee and received the “Attorney Coach of the Year” Award in 2012.

The Annual Benefit is CRF-OC’s marquee fundraiser and all proceeds support the organization’s unique and highly-regarded civic education programs – Mock Trial, Peer Court, Constitution Day, Law Day and the Orange County Career Forum. Learn more here: https://www.crfoc.org/annual-benefit/

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

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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

 

 

 

Dean Zipser Presents at ABTL Annual Seminar

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Umberg/Zipser LLP (U/Z) co-founding partner Dean Zipser participated in a panel on civility at the Association of Business Trial Lawyers’ (ABTL) 46th Annual Seminar on October 3-6, 2019.

Umberg/Zipser attorneys are long-time supporters of ABTL and all of the firm’s litigators are members. Dean Zipser, Scott Garner and Mark Finkelstein are former ABTL Orange County Chapter Presidents, Adina Stowell has served on the board and is a former editor of the newsletter, and Carole Reagan is a former member of the newsletter’s editorial board. Tom Umberg and Scott Garner have also previously presented at an ABTL Annual Seminar.

Dean Zipser Leads OCBA Mentoring Program Networking Reception

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Umberg/Zipser LLP (U/Z) co-founding partner Dean Zipser, co-chair Orange County Bar Association’s (OCBA) Mentoring Committee, took a lead role in the recent Mentoring Program Networking Reception.

The mission of the Mentoring Committee – which was formed while Dean served as President of the OCBA – plans and coordinates the OCBA’s Mentoring Program, providing more senior attorney mentors for OCBA attorneys who are admitted to practice five years or less. This Program provides new lawyers with a helpful, independent resource in their first years of practice.

Dean’s continuing involvement with the OCBA is part of the firm’s strong commitment to the organization.  Both Mei Tsang and  Scott Garner currently serve on the Board of Directors for both the Orange County Bar Association and its Charitable Fund and Scott serves as President-Elect of the OCBA. He will become President in January.

Dean Zipser Appointed to Governor’s Judicial Selection Advisory Committee

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Umberg/Zipser is proud to announce that co-founding partner Dean Zipser will serve on Governor Newsom’s Judicial Selection Advisory Committee. The public listing of the members of the eight regional committees is a result of Governor Newsom’s commitment to increasing transparency in government. The JSACs are comprised of attorneys and judges, selected by the Judicial Appointments Secretary, who are in good standing with the State Bar of California and are diverse with respect to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender, as well as substantive legal practice areas. Dean and his fellow committee members will provide preliminary, non-partisan feedback on candidates and help promote a diverse and inclusive nomination process for California’s judiciary.

In a press release distributed by the Governor’s office, Governor Newsom says, “Judges make decisions every day that affect every Californian. The people of our state have little insight on the process by which judges are chosen, it is only fair that the public knows who is helping to select the people who will serve them. I thank the new members of the Judicial Selection Advisory Committees for taking on this essential function of our democracy.”

Umberg/Zipser Sponsors OCBA Charitable Fund’s Annual Golf Tournament

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Umberg/Zipser was proud to again sponsor the 2019 Annual Judge Kenneth Lae Charity Golf Scramble hosted by the Orange County Bar Association Charitable Fund (OCBA-CF) on Monday, April 1, 2019 at the Santa Ana Country Club. The Charitable Fund is the philanthropic arm of the OCBA and provides funding and resources to organizations and programs that enhance the system of justice and promote equal justice for all. 

Umberg/Zipser attorneys are proud to have dedicated decades of service to the OCBA and its Charitable Fund. For example, Scott Garner will serve as President of OCBA in 2020, and currently serves as the OCBA President-Elect, as an officer of the Charitable Fund, and as co-chair of the OCBA Professionalism and Ethics Committee; Mei Tsang currently serves on the Board of Directors for both the OCBA and the Charitable Fund, and as co-chair of OCBA’s Diversity Committee. Mei also served as co-chair for the 2018 Charitable Fund Annual Raise Your Glass event; and Dean Zipser is a former President of the OCBA and the 2017 recipient of the OCBA’s Franklin G. West Award – the OCBA’s highest honor – and currently co-chairs both the Mentoring Committee and Leadership Development Committee.

Learn more here: http://www.ocbacf.org/golf/

Super Lawyers 2019 Selects Five Umberg/Zipser Attorneys and Recognizes Dean Zipser as Top 50 OC Lawyer

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Umberg/Zipser is proud to announce that five of its partners have again been included in the Southern California Super Lawyers list for 2019, a recognition reserved for only five percent of the lawyers in California. In addition, co-founding partner Dean Zipser has been recognized as a one of the Top 50 Orange County Lawyers.

The following Umberg/Zipser attorneys have been recognized in the 2019 Southern California Super Lawyers list:

Super Lawyers’ annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys.

Scott Garner and Mei Tsang Sworn in at OCBA Judges’ Night

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The Orange County Bar Association’s (OCBA) annual Board of Directors election results are in and Umberg/Zipser (U/Z) is again featured prominently. Scott B. Garner was voted in as President-Elect and partner Mei Tsang was re-elected to the OCBA Board of Directors.

The 2019 Officers and Board members were installed along with the OCBA Charitable Fund’s Board of Directors on Friday, January 25, 2019, during the OCBA Judges’ Night & Annual Meeting.

Scott Garner, who will serve as President of OCBA in 2020, currently serves as the OCBA Treasurer, as an officer of the Orange County Bar Association Charitable Fund (OCBACF), and as co-chair of the OCBA Professionalism and Ethics Committee.

Mei Tsang recently served as co-chair for the OCBACF annual Raise Your Glass event, currently serves on the Board of Directors for both the OCBA and the OCBACF, and co-chairs OCBA’s Diversity Committee.

Dean Zipser also participated in the OCBA past president “passing the gavel” ceremony at the event.

Scott’s and Mei’s election is part of a long history of service by the firm’s lawyers.  For example, Umberg/Zipser co-founding partner Dean Zipser, is a former OCBA President and a former Chair of OCBA’s Masters Division – OCBA’s arm serving those in practice 25 years or more.   In 2017, Dean was the recipient of the OCBA’s highest honor, the Franklin G. West Award in recognition of his achievements that have advanced justice and the law.