About Thomas
Thomas J. Umberg: Experienced Criminal Defense and White-Collar Criminal Attorney in Orange County, California
Thomas J. Umberg is a distinguished attorney with extensive experience in both federal and state courts. He has been recognized as a ‘Super Lawyer’ for Southern California, an honor limited to only 5% of Southern California lawyers. In addition to his legal prowess, Mr. Umberg served three terms in the California Legislature, where he gained invaluable legislative insight that continues to benefit his clients.
Practice Areas
- Litigation - Real Estate
- Commercial Litigation
- White-Collar Criminal Defense
- Fraud, including Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and Civil Rights Violations
- Civil Litigation
- Complex Litigation
- Education Law
- Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)
- Mortgage Fraud
- Tax Evasion Schemes
- Social Security Disability Insurance Claims
- Employment Discrimination and Wrongful Termination Cases
Education & Credentials
- Universities: University of California Hastings College of the Law, University of California - Los Angeles
- Educations:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Loyola Marymount University (2000)
- J.D. from University of California Hastings College of the Law (2004), magna cum laude
- Bar Admissions: State Bar of California, United States Army Reserve Commission
- Awards and Recognitions:
- Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Real Estate, Orange County (2026)
- Recognized: Commercial Litigation, Practice Area: Government Contracts
- Recognized: Litigation - Construction, Practice Area: Civil Rights Violations
- Recognized: Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy), Special Focus: Education Law
- Firms: Umberg Zipser LLP, Orange County Office Managing Partner at Morrison & Foerster LLP, Senior Member of the U.S./Mexico High Level Contact Group, and Co-Chair of the U.S. State Department’s Public Private Partnership for Justice Reform in Afghanistan
- Affiliations: California High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA), Co-Chair U.S. State Department’s Public Private Partnership for Justice Reform in Afghanistan
- Languages: Spanish, German
- Recognized Since: Recognized in Best Attorney USA since 2008
- Location: Irvine, California, United States
Practice Areas
Case History
Education
Professional Affiliations
Awards & Recognition
- Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Real Estate, Orange County (2026)
- Recognized: Commercial Litigation
- Recognized: Litigation - Real Estate
- Practice Area: Government Contracts
- Practice Area: Litigation - Construction
- Practice Area: Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
- Special Focus: Civil Litigation
- Special Focus: Complex Litigation
- Special Focus: Education
- Special Focus: Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
- Special Focus: Fraud
- Special Focus: White-Collar Criminal Defense
- Southern California -- Super Lawyers
- Best Lawyers in America
- High Tech Legislator of the Year
- The Bronze Star