Metropolitan News-Enterprise

 

Friday, May 7, 2010

 

Page 3

 

Senate Confirms Kieffer to UC Board of Regents

 

By a MetNews Staff Writer

 

The California Senate yesterday approved the appointment of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips partner George D. Kieffer to the University of California Board of Regents.

A spokesperson for Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, said Kieffer, who has served on the board since being named in May last year by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, was confirmed by a vote of 29-1.

Individuals named to the board begin serving immediately, but are subject to confirmation within one year of the appointment.

Steinberg’s spokesperson said the lone vote against Kieffer was made by Sen. Jeff Denham, R-Merced, who could not be reached for comment.

Kieffer, 62, has served as a partner and associate for Manatt Phelps in Los Angeles since 1973, overseeing major business litigation, business transactions and land use matters. He has also served as president of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges and a member of the Blue Ribbon Commission to Review the Master Plan for Higher Education.

Kieffer told the MetNews yesterday he had not initially sought the position, but was appointed on a recommendation to the governor.

He said he was “delighted” by the opportunity to serve on the board, and said his priorities were to stabilize the UC system’s financial situation and funding, and to “retain the quality and excellence that has characterized [the system] over the last 150 years.”

A Democrat, Kieffer is a graduate of UC Santa Barbara—where he later served as president of the alumni association, alumni regent and chair of the university’s foundation—and he attended law school at UCLA. He joined the State Bar in 1973.

The position does not carry a salary.

In other news, the Senate yesterday confirmed the appointment to the Board of Regents of former legislator Charlene Zettel, 61, of Encinitas, and the reappointment of film executive Sherry Lansing, 65, of Los Angeles.

Steinberg’s office said Zettel was confirmed by a vote of 31-1, while Lansing was confirmed by a vote of 21-6.

Zettel, a Republican, was appointed in May of last year, while Lansing, a Democrat, has served on the board since 1999 and is currently vice chair. Lansing was reappointed to the position in February.

 

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