SACRAMENTO — Senator Tom Umberg (D - Orange County) was reappointed Chair of the California State Senate Judiciary Committee by State Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire.

Senator Umberg stated: 

“I am honored by Senate President Pro Tem McGuire’s confidence in reappointing me Judiciary Chair.  The decisive passage of Proposition 36 this past November will spur a significant amount of both reform and implementation of drug courts and rehabilitative treatment across the state.  California is at the epicenter of the creation of an artificial intelligence (AI) policy framework and legal roadmap for the nation’s tech industry, as well. Moreover, the Committee will continue to hold the State Bar accountable for regulation of the legal profession as we work together to ensure equity, fairness, and timeliness within the court system.

As per years past, the Judiciary Committee will, of course, also maintain its focus on remote access to the courts, the availability of legal aid for veterans and others, efficiencies within court systems to shorten case time periods, and the implementation of California’s CARE Court System.”

Senator Umberg, a graduate of UCLA and UC College of the Law, San Francisco, co-founded and built a successful law firm in Orange County that is recognized as one of California’s preeminent boutique law firms by Best Lawyers and The Daily Journal.

As a federal criminal prosecutor, Senator Umberg successfully prosecuted numerous white collar, civil rights, and gang cases.  In the course of his career, he has tried over 100 cases to verdict or judgment.

Senator Umberg is a retired Army colonel who served three overseas tours as a military prosecutor - to include war crimes prosecutions - and was recalled to active duty to lead the US military effort in Afghanistan to combat corruption within the Afghan Police and Army. For his service in Afghanistan, he was awarded the Bronze Star.

During the Clinton Administration, Senator Umberg was appointed Deputy Drug Czar, and was responsible for foreign drug interdiction, counter-drug intelligence, and international drug policy. 

As a Justice for Veterans and former National Association of Drug Court Professionals board member, a long time passion of Senator Umberg’s is providing safe alternatives to incarceration - working through collaborative courts - for drug offenders, those with mental health issues, veterans, etc. 

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Senator Thomas Umberg represents the 34th Senate District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, Garden Grove, La Habra, Orange, Placentia, and Santa Ana in Orange County as well as South and East Whittier in Los Angeles County. Umberg is a retired U.S. Army Colonel and former federal prosecutor. He and his wife, Brigadier General Robin Umberg, USA (ret.), live in Orange County.

Senator Umberg’s official headshot is available here.