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.” 

Leah Hamlin Joins Umberg/Zipser as Litigation Associate

Umberg/Zipser (U/Z) is pleased to announce that Leah A. Hamlin has joined the firm as a litigation associate. She focuses her practice in the areas of complex commercial litigation, intellectual property disputes, and employment litigation.

Leah attended law school at the University of California, Berkeley where she graduated with honors. While attending law school, Leah served as Editor-in-Chief for the Berkeley Journal of Entertainment & Sports Law, acted as a student advocate for the Juvenile Education Advocacy Project, competed and placed at the Bales Internal Mock Trial Competition, and worked as a research assistant on publications related to presidential power. Leah received her Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from Yale University.

Prior to joining U/Z, Leah worked as a law clerk to Hon. Josephine Staton ofthe U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

“We are very pleased to welcome Leah to the Umberg/Zipser litigation team. Leah has an impressive academic history, and shares the firm’s core values,”commented co-founding partner, Dean Zipser.  “Leah will add strength to our growing litigation practice,” added co-founder Tom Umberg.

Dean Zipser Participates in ABTL Panel

Dean Zipser recently participated in an Association of Business Trial Lawyers (ABTL) Panel “Charting a Path to the Bench: A Panel Discussion About Things You Might Want to Know.” Dean is a former president of the Orange County chapter of ABTL and the Orange County Bar Association (OCBA). Other panelists included Assistant Presiding Judge Kirk Nakamura and Judge Melissa McCormick of the Orange County Superior Court, and Kimberly Knill, research attorney at the California Court of Appeal and former chair of the JNE Commission. 

Click here for more information about ABTL.

Dean Zipser Named President of Constitutional Rights Foundation, Orange County

Umberg/Zipser co-founding partner Dean Zipser has become President of the Constitutional Rights Foundation, Orange County (CRF-OC)  for the 2017/2018 term, having served last year as its Vice President.  Dean, who is Past President of the Orange County Bar Association and the Orange County Chapter of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers, has been a member of the CRF-OC board since 2007.

Dean follows in the footsteps of Umberg/Zipser partner Adina Stowell, who was President of CRF-OC for 2014/2015 and has been a member of the board since 2006.

The Constitutional Rights Foundation, Orange County is a local non-profit, non-partisan, education organization dedicated to promoting civic literacy, youth leadership, and career awareness among Orange County teens. Operating consistently since 1981, CRF-OC organizes and operates high-quality, interactive civic and law-related education programs that connect students directly with professionals and community leaders. The innovative programs help local teens understand and appreciate our democratic institutions and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, develop academic and leadership skills, as well as an interest in contributing to the larger community, and aspire to professional careers. The programs are made available to all high school students in Orange County at no cost to participating youth.