Umberg/Zipser Continues to Grow IP Group with Addition of Mark Finkelstein and Priti Phukan

Umberg/Zipser (U/Z) is pleased to announce that partner Mark Finkelstein and associate Priti Phukan, Ph.D. have joined the firm. The addition of Mark and Priti further strengthens the firm’s full-service Intellectual Property Practice Group, and dedicated to identifying, procuring, shepherding, and defending our clients’ intellectual property rights.

Mark Finkelstein has more than 23 years of intellectual property and complex litigation experience in some of the nation’s largest firms. He advises clients on matters involving patent, copyright, trademark, and trade dress infringement, as well as misuse of trade secrets, unfair competition, and other commercial disputes. Mark is the immediate Past President of Orange County’s Association of Business Trial Lawyers and has significant first-chair trial experience in both state and federal courts, and has argued before the Federal and Ninth Circuits.

Priti Phukan concentrates her practice on patent and trademark prosecution across various technology industries, including chemistry, life sciences, diagnostics, medical devices, and mechanical engineering. Priti began her career as a chemist and molecular biologist and then ultimately made the choice to start her career in patent law in 2012.

“We are excited to strategically grow our IP practice and continue to offer our clients the highest caliber of legal services. I have known Mark for many years.  He is an exceptional lawyer with extensive IP litigation and trial experience. His IP focus and tireless commitment to community involvement makes him a perfect fit,” said co-founding partner, Dean Zipser.

“Priti brings a unique background that includes a blend of bioscience expertise and legal skills. We are thrilled to bring the value of this combination of experience to our clients. She is a fantastic addition to the Umberg/Zipser team,” added IP partner, Mei Tsang.

Mark commented, “I am delighted to join the talented team at Umberg/Zipser and to offer increased flexibility in the delivery of legal services to my clients. I have known and had the pleasure of working with many of the firm’s lawyers in various capacities over the years and greatly admire and respect the way they approach solving clients’ business issues.”

Priti also commented, “It is an honor to join U/Z. I am delighted to be working with such a talented legal team with deep ties to the Orange County legal, business and technology communities.”

About Umberg/Zipser LLP

Umberg/Zipser is a premier business litigation and intellectual property boutique.  Drawing on its lawyers’ many decades of experience in some of the nation’s largest and most prestigious law firms, as well as national and state government service, Umberg/Zipser provides clients with unparalleled legal services. Named one of the Daily Journal’s Top Boutique Firms, Umberg/Zipser is a go-to firm for litigation and intellectual property in Orange County and around the state. https://umbergzipser.com/

Mei Tsang Authors Article for the OC Lawyer: The Case for Diversity

Mei Tsang recently authored an article in the March 2018 edition of the OC Lawyer, a publication of the Orange County Bar Association titled “The Case for Diversity: Why it Matters and Why it is Hard to Achieve in the Legal Profession.”

The article explores misconceptions about diversity and why it is an important consideration in legal practices. Mei explains, “Even with the great diversity that exists in Orange County, the legal profession does not reflect any more diversity than the national average. It is well known that the legal industry is one of the least diverse professions in the nation despite the well-intentioned initiatives, policies, and programs.”

Click here to read the article. 

Mei serves on the Board of Directors for both the Orange County Bar Association (OCBA) and its Charitable Fund. She has an international intellectual property practice focused on helping clients formulate their IP strategy, and shepherding their IP through various business cycles to achieve their business goals worldwide.  Mei has substantial experience in patent and trademark portfolio development, and in all aspects of IP enforcement, including negotiation, licensing, and litigation at various courts at the federal, state, and administrative levels. Her clients also depend on her multicultural background and language abilities (Mandarin and Cantonese) to help them expand and navigate their IP strategy worldwide.

Umberg/Zipser Attorneys Featured Prominently at OCBA Judges’ Night

Umberg/Zipser proudly sponsored and supported 2018 Judges’ Night & Annual Meeting hosted by the Orange County Bar Association (OCBA) on Thursday, January 18, 2018 in Irvine.  This event featured the installation of Nikki P. Miliband, Esq. as 2018 OCBA President, the installation of the OCBA Officers and Directors and the OCBA Charitable Fund Directors, and the presentation of the Franklin G. West Award, the highest honor bestowed by the OCBA.

The firm’s attorneys have decades of service to the OCBA, and the most recent Judges’ Night was an example.  U/Z’s Scott Garner was sworn in as the 2018 OCBA Treasurer and a board member of the Charitable Fund, and Mei Tsang was sworn in as a board member of both the OCBA and the Charitable Fund.

U/Z’s co-founding partner Dean Zipser, a former OCBA President and the 2017 recipient of the Franklin G. West Award, spoke at the event. In addition, Zipser recently co-authored the OCBA article: January 2018 Cover Story – Nikki Presley Miliband: We’re Not Returning to Sender!, highlighting the accomplishments of the newly appointed OCBA president, Nikki Presley Miliband. Click here to read the full article.

 

About Umberg/Zipser LLP

Umberg/Zipser is a premier business litigation and intellectual property boutique.  Drawing on its lawyers’ many decades of experience in some of the nation’s largest and most prestigious law firms, as well as national and state government service, Umberg/Zipser provides clients with unparalleled legal services. Named one of the Daily Journal’s Top Boutique Firms, Umberg/Zipser is a go-to firm for litigation and intellectual property in Orange County and around the state.

Thomas Umberg Provides Commentary in OCBJ Cover Story “The Executive v. The Ballplayer”

Trial attorney and co-founding partner Thomas J. Umberg recently commented in the Orange County Business Journal article “The Executive v. The Ballplayer” discussing alleged inside trading of Advanced Medical Optics prior to being acquired by Abbott Laboratories. In the article, Tom stated that this particular jury case is “really unusual for several reasons. One reason is you have the witness whose testimony is contrary to the earlier trial and you’re asking a jury to believe the more recent testimony.”

Click here to read the article.

Scott Garner and Todd Smith to Present at OCBA Specialty Credit Night – Navigating the Perilous Waters of the Attorney-Client Privilege

Umberg/Zipser is pleased to announce that attorneys Scott Garner and Todd Smith will co-present on the topic of “Navigating the Perilous Waters of the Attorney-Client Privilege” to members of the Orange County Bar Association.  The event will take place on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 in Costa Mesa. Click here for more information about the event.

Scott Garner represents clients in a wide array of complex business litigation matters with a focus on professional liability disputes and ethics counseling. He has represented large, mid-size, and small law firms, along with individual lawyers, in pre-litigation and litigation disputes concerning claims of legal malpractice, ethical violations, and securities fraud arising from their litigation, transactional, and IP practices. Scott also consults with clients on legal ethics issues, and has served as an expert witness on ethics and standard of care issues.

Todd Smith’s practice focuses on complex business litigation in state and federal courts. He represents companies and individuals in consumer and securities class actions, shareholder and derivative litigation, breach of contract and fiduciary duty claims, financial services litigation, real estate disputes, protection of intellectual property rights, and unfair competition claims. Todd also represents law firms and lawyers in legal malpractice actions. He is experienced in all phases of litigation, including trials, arbitrations, mediations, and appeals, as well as regulatory proceedings and internal investigations.

Mei Tsang Presents in B2C eCommerce Workshop

Umberg/Zipser partner Mei Tsang participated at the B2C eCommerce Workshop hosted by U.S. Commercial Service of Orange County and the Women in International Trade on Reach Global Customers Through E-Commerce on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 in Costa Mesa, California.

Mei presented alongside speakers from Earth Friendly Products, Jordana Cosmetics, iGlobal Stores and JD.com as well as James Bledsoe, Director of the U.S. Commercial Service eCommerce Innovation Lab and China marketing expert Ann Bierbower.  The workshop focused on selling direct to global consumers through eCommerce, featuring different online sales options, marketing and mechanics as well as the logistics needed to support eCommerce sales.

Mei has an international intellectual property practice focused on helping clients formulate their IP strategy, and shepherding their IP through various business cycles to achieve their business goals worldwide.  Mei has substantial experience in patent and trademark portfolio development, and in all aspects of IP enforcement, including negotiation, licensing, and litigation at various courts at the federal, state, and administrative levels.  Her clients also depend on her multicultural background and language abilities (Mandarin and Cantonese) to help them expand and navigate their IP strategy worldwide.