By Cindy Obrand, Special to the Independent
Former Laguna Beach basketball standout Jesse Obrand, who recently passed the California bar exam, among just 37 percent who made the mark this year, has joined the family business.
He has teamed up with his father, Michael Obrand, and established Dana Point’s Obrand Law Group, specializing in real estate and complex business litigation, criminal defense, and personal injury.
Obrand, a Laguna Beach native, grew up in Telluride, Colo., where he excelled in sports, earning spots on all-state teams in basketball and soccer. He finished his senior year at Laguna Beach High School, and helped lead the 1999 basketball team to their first league championship in 36 years. He went on to play basketball at UC Irvine and another season championship.
After graduating, Obrand worked part-time as a paralegal and was an assistant basketball coach at his high school alma mater. In 2006, Obrand enrolled in the Monterey College of Law. While there, he was a moot court finalist and argued free speech rights on behalf of broadcast stations before a panel of appellate court justices. As a result of his advocacy, he was inducted into the Heisler Society.
“Jesse’s success as a lawyer will not be a surprise to those of us who got to know him as a law student at Monterey College of Law,” said school president, Mitch Winick.
Obrand, whose siblings are also LBHS graduates, is committed to giving back to the community by providing pro bono legal services to indigent clients and volunteering with the high school basketball team. “I’m extremely proud to welcome Jesse back into the basketball program,” said Coach Bret Fleming.
Despite increasing career demands in court, Obrand still finds time for basketball, playing in various men’s leagues with other former LBHS basketball alums.
Cindy Obrand is Jesse’s mom.
