Gary Singer, 47, is the new partner-in-charge at O’Melveny & Myers. Singer will oversee all operations and the strategic direction of the firm’s Newport Beach office as well as its Irvine Spectrum office, scheduled to open in April. The firm employs 75 attorneys in Orange County.
Singer, who specializes in corporate, securities and mergers and acquisitions, replaces Jerry Carlton, who stepped down after three consecutive five-year terms. As partner-in-charge, he will assume new administrative duties in addition to his regular work. But after serving the last three years on the firm’s management committee,akin to a board of directors,he said he’s already primed for those new responsibilities.
As far as where the firm is headed, Singer said the emphasis is in the technology areas. The new Irvine Spectrum office will advise primarily high-tech companies. O’Melveny wants to be the “one-stop” shop for high-tech and biotechnology firms, he said. O’Melveny also will be investing in its high-tech clients.
Singer signed with O’Melveny upon graduation from Loyola Law School in 1977. Some of his clients include ARV Assisted Living Inc., Donahue Schriber, Furon Co., Wyle Electronics and Nationwide Health Properties. He is a director of the UC Irvine Foundation and the Orange County Business Committee of the Arts.
Singer is a longtime OC resident. He grew up in Fullerton and went to UC Irvine from 1970 to 1974. Of OC he said he likes the “booming professional environment” and the fact that there are a lot of younger business people here. He also thinks OC is a great place to live.
Singer and his wife, Melanie, have three children, ages 9, 15 and 17. In his spare time he likes to golf,a lot.
