Partner Sean Varner

Sean Varner

Managing Partner

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Sean S. Varner, Managing Partner of Varner & Brandt LLP Riverside, focuses his career on counseling businesses and individuals, mergers and acquisitions, corporate and business strategy, real estate strategy, transactions and general counsel work. With over 25 years of legal and business experience Sean takes time to know his clients and their goals and objectives. He handles a variety of opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs, including critical transactions facing a diverse clientele including Fortune 500 companies, the food and beverage industry, the manufacturing industry, the service industry, the technology sector, entertainment and social media, real estate development and land use, restaurant, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, officers and directors of corporations, and a variety of family-owned businesses. He strives to bring high value, focused advice and personalized attention to his clients. Sean also has represented oversight boards in the winding down of redevelopment agencies, including the 1st and 3rd District of the County of Los Angeles and the City of Industry. In 2016, Governor Brown appointed Sean to the prestigious “Little Hoover” Commission, charged with the mission to investigate California state government operations and – through reports, recommendations and legislative proposals – promote efficiency, economy and improved service. The California Senate Rules Committee also appointed Sean to the Regents Select Advisory Committee advising the Governor on University of California Regents selection.

Sean also enjoys spending time with his family and friends and supporting his talented daughters in their academic, athletic and artistic endeavors. He and his family also enjoy volunteering and serving the community together supporting various charitable organizations.

Focus

  • Corporate & Business
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Real Estate Transactions
  • Real Estate Development & Land Use
  • Finance
  • Entertainment/Social Media Representation
  • Technology

Honors & Awards

  • AV Preeminent®, Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®
  • Leadership Riverside, Art Pick Distinguished Alumnus of the Year

Community Involvement & Pro Bono

  • Little Hoover Commission, Vice Chairman
  • Pepperdine University School of Law, Board of Advisors
  • California State Senate Rules Committee, Regents Selection Advisory Committee
  • Monday Morning Group, Director
  • Young Presidents’ Organization, California Inland Empire Chapter, Board Member, Two Time Past Chairman, Education Chair, Membership Chair
  • Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Foundation, Board of Directors
  • First Tee of the Inland Empire, Board of Directors
  • National Orange Show, Current Chairman, Director and Three-Time Past Chairman of the Board of Directors
  • UC Riverside Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics
  • UC Riverside Athletics Association, Chairman and Member of the Board of Directors
  • San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Sheriff's Council, and S.S.B. Deputy
  • Riverside ExCITE Business Incubator, Secretary and Founding Member of the Board of Directors
  • The Inland Empire Community Foundation, Past Chair and Past Member of the Board of Directors
  • Boys and Girls Club of San Bernardino, Past Board of Directors Member
  • Leadership Riverside, Graduate and Former Steering Committee Member
  • Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards, Former Judge; Presenter
  • Legends FC Soccer Club, Past Manager & Volunteer Administrator
  • Frequent speaker at mergers & acquisitions seminars and entrepreneurial groups

Publications

  • CEQA After Two Decades: Relevant Problems and Ideas For Necessary Reform, 19 Pepperdine L. Rev. (1992) (reprinted in the National Law Anthology, Environmental Law Anthology, October 1993)

Education

  • Pepperdine University School of Law, JD, cum laude, 1993
  • University of California, Los Angeles, BA, 1989
  • Cambridge University, England, Pembroke College

Admissions

  • American Bar Association
  • The State Bar of California
  • Riverside County Bar Association
  • United States District Court (Central, Eastern, Southern, Northern Districts of California)
  • Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals