Thomas J. Umberg

Thomas J. Umberg is a litigation partner at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP.

He has extensive trial experience in both federal and state courts and has been chosen as a “Super Lawyer” for Southern California – a recognition limited to only 5% of the lawyers in Southern California. He was also selected as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” in the field of commercial litigation.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Umberg was an Assistant U.S. Attorney.  As a federal criminal prosecutor, he tried numerous white‐collar and civil rights cases.

Mr. Umberg served three terms in the California Legislature, most recently between 2004 and 2006. While in the California Assembly, he authored 58 measures that were signed into law, including statutes involving campaign finance reform, mortgage fraud, hate crimes, toxic waste cleanup, Super Speed Rail Transport, and other transportation issues.

In 1997, Mr. Umberg was nominated by the President and unanimously confirmed by the U. S. Senate as Deputy Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). At ONDCP he was responsible for the development and coordination of United States policy to reduce the supply of illegal drugs in the United States. In particular, these responsibilities included US counter‐drug intelligence and interdiction.

Mr. Umberg is a colonel in the Army Reserve. During his military career he served three overseas tours. Mr. Umberg was recalled to active duty in 2004 as a war crimes prosecutor and again in 2009 as the Chief, Anti-Corruption in Afghanistan.  He is a Bronze Star recipient.

Mr. Umberg received his J.D from University of California, Hastings College of the Law, M.S. from the U.S. Army War College,  B.A. from University of California, Los Angeles and studied National Security at the Harvard Kennedy School. Mr. Umberg and his wife Brig. Gen.(ret) Robin Umberg reside in Orange County.

Appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly.

Contact Chairman Umberg.