Bird Marella is proud to announce that Steven E. Zipperstein has joined the firm as senior counsel. Mr. Zipperstein has over 35 years of legal experience providing strategic advice and counseling to corporations and businesses on a broad range of civil, regulatory, government and congressional investigations, and other non-litigation, business-related matters.
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Zipperstein served as the Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel of BlackBerry Ltd., the Canadian smartphone and software company, where he was responsible for worldwide legal affairs, government relations, public policy, compliance, regulatory matters, corporate security, and corporate real estate. He also served as the Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Risk Officer for BlackBerry. Mr. Zipperstein also previously served as the General Counsel for Verizon Wireless, where he was responsible for the company’s legal, government relations, public policy, compliance and corporate security matters.
“I am thrilled to join the incredibly talented group of lawyers at Bird Marella, many of whom I have known and worked with for decades,” Zipperstein said. “The firm’s commitment to performing legal work at the highest level of excellence, efficiency and integrity offer a great platform for clients looking for best-in-class trial attorneys. The firm’s dedication to public service, diversity and pro bono work exemplify the finest traditions of the legal profession.”
Prior to his experience as the General Counsel of two large companies, Mr. Zipperstein served in several prestigious positions with the United States Department of Justice: Mr. Zipperstein served as the Chief of Appeals and then as the Chief Assistant United States Attorney in Los Angeles; he served at the Justice Department headquarters in Washington, D.C. as Special Counsel to former Criminal Division Chief Robert S. Mueller III; and he served as Counselor to Attorney General Janet Reno for the 1995 congressional hearings regarding the 1993 events at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas.
Mr. Zipperstein earned his law degree from UC Davis School of Law, where he was a Law Review Executive Editor, graduating Order of the Coif. He received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science with highest honors from UCLA.
Mr. Zipperstein serves on the faculty of UCLA’s Department of Public Policy and UCLA’s Global Studies program, the UC Santa Barbara Department of History, and Tel Aviv University Law School as a visiting Professor.
“As a high level aide to Attorney Generals, US Attorneys, major American corporations, and the community, Steve has served his country, businesses, students, and the community for the past 37 years with honor, dignity and high principle,” said principal Gary Lincenberg. “We are excited to welcome him to the Bird Marella family.”