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Tuesday, Apr 7, 2026

Luce Forward Lands Big Names; Cicerone Happy in D.C.

Luce Forward, a 200-lawyer firm headquartered in San Diego, has opened an Irvine office headed by noted eminent-domain attorney John C. Murphy and corporate litigator George Rudolph. The OC operation has seven attorneys with plans to add more, Rudolph says. Initial areas of focus are real estate and corporate transactions. Existing OC clients include Chicago Title, Fidelity National Title and office developer Opus. Murphy, partner in charge, moves from Nossaman Guthner Knox & Elliott. At Century City-based Stephan, Oringher, Richman, Theodora & Miller, Rudolph teamed with Todd Theodora to successfully defend Angels owner Arte Moreno in his legal battle with Anaheim. But Rudolph says he is one of 12 OC partners to exit the firm,renamed Theodora Oringher Miller & Richman,since the acrimonious departure of name partner George Stephan early this year …

Yours truly is back from visiting monuments and friends in Washington, D.C. More details next week. Suffice for now to say that The Happiest Place on (Planet) Earth might be the National Academy of Sciences. Former UCI Chancellor, current NAS prez and acclaimed atmospheric scientist Ralph Cicerone is basking in the glow of the Nobel Peace Prize that his colleagues at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (including several UCIers) shared with Al Gore. Cicerone says there are legitimate differences over what we can or should do about global warming, but the evidence is overwhelming that man is causing it. He bristles at those who claim the scientific community is engaged in “group think” on global warming in order to win jobs and grants. The lack of dissidence reflects a lack of valid objections: “The way to become rich and famous is to prove everybody wrong …






EE RR with Congressman John Campbell, R-Irvine, in the bowels of Congress: Campbell opines on page 86; more on the trip, below

I can tell you what drives scientists.” Cicerone returns to UCI and the Beckman Center on Nov. 13 to give an evening lecture on (what else?) climate change. Call (949) 387-6622 …

It’s tough sharing the spotlight with Henry Segerstrom, as Costa Mesa Mayor Allan Mansoor learned when both were feted by the OC chapter of the American Planning Association. Segerstrom got a lengthy standing ovation from the crowd of some 200 officials and the better trophy, which he pointed out: “Allan, mine’s bigger than yours” …

Is there a better way to elect the president of the United States? Visiting Brit Baroness Colingtree Jill Knight, radio host Hugh Hewitt and Chapman U law profs John Eastman and John Hall debate, Tuesday at the Hilton Irvine. EE RR referees. Call the OC Forum at (949) 588-9884.

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Rick Reiff
Rick Reiff
Rick Reiff, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, is editor at large of the Orange County Business Journal. He also is a host and producer of public affairs programs. He has covered Southern California for 34 years in print and on air. He is a four-time Golden Mike winner, three-time Emmy nominee and 2018 recipient of the Orange County Press Club's Lifetime Achievement Award. Reiff has been with the Orange County Business Journal since 1990, serving 10 years as editor. He originated and wrote the paper's popular "OC Insider" column for 15 years.

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