The Orange County Bar Association (OCBA) has announced that U/Z’s Scott Garner has been elected Secretary for 2017. Based on the OCBA’s succession protocol, Scott will become OCBA President in 2020.
“Everyone at Umberg/Zipser is so proud of Scott and pleased that he’ll continue to contribute his experience and expertise to the OCBA for years to come, first as Secretary and eventually as President,” said U/Z’s Tom Umberg. “Scott’s deep commitment to the profession and the Orange County community make him a perfect choice for a leadership role,” added Dean Zipser, a former OCBA President.
“I am very grateful to the members of the OCBA for their vote of confidence,” said Garner. “OCBA is one of the most active and effective local bar associations in the country and I’m looking forward to doing my part to advance the interests of Orange County lawyers and contribute to the Bar’s strong legacy.”
Garner has been very active in bar and community organizations over the course of his career. He just completed a term as Chair, and then Advisor, of the California State Bar’s Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct. He also serves as Co-Chair of the OCBA’s Professionalism and Ethics Committee, as Co-Chair of the OCBA Civility Task Force, and has been a member of the Board of Directors for the last six years prior to his election as Secretary. He also serves as President of the Orange County Chapter of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers (ABTL) and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Junior Statesmen Foundation.
Scott’s election typifies the firm’s commitment to the OCBA, the Orange County community, and the legal profession. Umberg is a three-term member of the California Assembly from Orange County, and remains very active in governmental matters, including recently serving as Chair of California’s High Speed Rail Commission. Zipser is a recognized leader in the Orange County legal community, and has held leadership roles in a host of professional organizations, including serving as President of the OCBA and ABTL, and chairperson of the OCBA’s Masters Division (serving those in practice 25 years or more). Zipser currently serves as co-vice-chair of the California State Bar Commission for the Revision of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Carole Reagan has served for over 15 years on the board of the Public Law Center and chairs its nominating committee, and has been active on OCBA and ABTL committees. Adina Stowell is a Past President of the Constitutional Rights Foundation of Orange County, and served on the board of ABTL and key OCBA committees.