Umberg/Zipser Congratulates Partner Mei Tsang, honored as Attorney of the Year

Todd Smith

Umberg/Zipser Congratulates Partner Mei Tsang, honored as Attorney of the Year

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On Thursday, October 17 th, the Orange County Women Lawyer Association (OCWLA) held its 48th Annual Gala at VEA/Marriott Hotel in Newport Beach, CA and Umberg/Zipser was a proud sponsor. We are pleased to announce and congratulate our partner, Mei Tsang, who was honored as Attorney of the Year for her contributions to the legal profession. We would also like to congratulate the Hon. Desirae Hutchinson for Judge of the Year, and Cox Castle & Nicholson LLP for its recognition for Advancement of Women.

U/Z is a longtime supporter of OCWLA – an organization dedicated to advancing women in the legal profession by providing a professional network, raising awareness of discrimination and bias, and supporting charitable organizations.

Umberg/Zipser Proud to Sponsor Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) 2024 Celebration

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Umberg/ZipserLLP (U/Z) was proud to once again be a sponsor for the Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) Celebration which was held on Friday, May 17th at the Pendry Newport Beach. U/Z partner, Todd Smith, has been a member of the CASA Board of Directors for many years and currently serves as its Secretary. Prior to his Board service, Todd was a CASA mentor/advocate for two years. Founded 1985, CASA OC serves over 1,000 children each year who move through the Orange County welfare system as a result of abuse and neglect. For more information on CASA, please visit https://www.casaoc.org/.

Todd Smith in OCBJ: “What In-House Counsel Need to Know about California’s New Legal Ethics Rules”

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Umberg/Zipser attorney Todd Smith authored the article “What In-House Counsel Need to Know about California’s New Legal Ethics Rules” for the 2018 General Counsel issue in the Orange County Business Journal (OCBJ).

The full text of the article is available here: “What In-House Counsel Need to Know about California’s New Legal Ethics Rules”

Todd’s practice is focused on complex business litigation in state and federal courts, including defending lawyers and law firms 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.

 

 

Dean Zipser, Scott Garner and Todd Smith Present at OCBA Corporate Counsel Section Meeting – The Rules, They Are A-Changing: California’s New Rules of Professional Conduct

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Umberg/Zipser (U/Z) attorneys Dean J. Zipser, Scott B. Garner and Todd W. Smith presented at the Orange County Bar Association (OCBA) Corporate Counsel Section Meeting, “The Rules, They Are A-Changing: California’s New Rules of Professional Conduct” on September 11, 2018. The program discussed the new Rules of Professional Conduct, which will go into effect November 1, 2018. Dean, Scott and Todd focused their discussion on the more significant changes to the existing rules and some notable new rules, including the conflict of interest rules, ethical screens, communication with clients, and discrimination.

Dean served as the co-vice-chair of the California State Bar Commission for the Revision of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Scott served as a member of the California State Bar’s Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct from 2011-2016, serving as the Committee’s Chair from 2014-15. Both Scott and Todd have decades of experience representing lawyers and law firms in professional liability related matters, and each of them has presented a number of Continuing Legal Education courses on legal ethics and professional responsibility issues.

Todd Smith Elected to CASA OC Board of Directors

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Todd Smith has been elected to the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Orange County (CASA OC) Board of Directors. Todd has been actively involved with CASA since 2015, including acting as a CASA mentor/advocate on behalf of foster youth.

CASA is a non-profit organization serving the county’s most severely abused, abandoned and neglected children through the recruitment, training, and supervision of community volunteers who advocate for their best interests. Click here to read more about CASA OC.

About Umberg Zipser

Umberg/Zipser is a premier business litigation and intellectual property boutique. Drawing on 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.

 

Which Hat is Your GC Wearing? How Companies Can Preserve the Attorney-Client Privilege In-House

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Umberg/Zipser attorney, Todd Smith, recently published the article “Which Hat is Your GC Wearing? How Companies Can Preserve the Attorney-Client Privilege In-House,” for the Orange County Business Journal, General Counsel issue on October 16, 2017. 

“From crafting business strategy to negotiating substantive deal points, in-house lawyers are becoming increasingly involved in the business aspects of their companies. Although their involvement often benefits companies by bringing a fresh perspective to the table, it can pose challenges in terms of the application of the attorney-client privilege.

Click here to read the full article. 

 

 

 

Volunteer Spotlight: Todd Smith Court Appointed Special Advocate “CASA” for Foster Youth

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We are strong believers in giving back to our profession and our community – in actions, and not just words or dollars. Our lawyers are actively involved as leaders of multiple professional, pro bono, and charitable organizations, as well as governmental positions. Our volunteer spotlight for this newsletter is U/Z’s Todd Smith. 

Todd has been a volunteer with CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Orange County – since 2015 and is matched with an 11-year-old boy.  CASA is a non-profit organization serving the county’s most severely abused, abandoned and neglected children through the recruitment, training, and supervision of community volunteers who advocate for their best interests. 

Todd had this to say about CASA for a recent article in OC Lawyer: “Being an attorney in Orange County, I had heard a lot about CASA and had spoken with CASA representatives at various bar functions over the years. I had been wanting to get more involved in a community-based organization and, with my legal background, CASA seemed like a perfect fit. After learning about the enormous need for CASA volunteers (especially male volunteers) to serve the foster youth in Orange County and the lasting and meaningful impact that a CASA advocate/mentor could have in the life a foster youth, there was no turning back.”

The full article is available on the CASA website here: Empowering OC Youth: One Volunteer at a Time