Bruce D. Varner is the Founding Partner at Varner & Brandt LLP practicing in the areas of general business, corporate, real estate, banking and transactional law. Bruce received his B.A. degree in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara on a football scholarship and his Juris Doctorate with honors (Order of the Coif, Thurston Honor Society) from University of California, Hastings College of the Law.

Bruce is one of the leading corporate and business transactional attorneys in Southern California and throughout the United States. He and his dedicated team have handled some of the largest transactions and corporations in the Inland Empire, yet Bruce is also committed to nurturing and assisting entrepreneurs set up, fund and form corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships. With his expertise he also provides these businesses ongoing business and legal advice to help ensure their long term success.

Associates of Bruce say his dedication and work ethic make him a key player in the Inland Empire's business world, negotiating complex deals, solving problems and navigating the details. His clients, friends and family use words like integrity, intelligence and intensity to describe him.

Regularly volunteering his expertise by serving on the boards of numerous organizations, Bruce is committed to his community. He was appointed to the University of California Board of Regents in 2006 and is the current Vice Chair. Additionally, he volunteers for and supports numerous community organizations and charities including being a volunteer lieutenant for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office.

When not practicing law and serving his clients and community, Bruce devotes his time and endless energy to his wife Nancy, four children, six grandchildren, dogs “Scout” and “Mason” and his many friends.

Focus

• Banking
• Corporate & Business
• Finance
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Real Estate

Honors & Awards

• AV Preeminent® 5.0 out of 5, Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®
• 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 & 2009 Best Lawyers in America Tier 1 Ranking (Selected by Peers)
• 2013 Best Attorneys in Los Angeles (Selected by Peers)
• 2012 John B. Surr Award, San Bernardino County Bar Association
• 2012 California's Best Lawyers (Selected by Peers)
• 2011 Honorary Doctor of Laws, California State University San Bernardino
• 2009 Dick Bryant Memorial Award - Santa Clause Inc. (Bruce & Nancy Varner)
• 2009 Shirley Pettis Award - Loma Linda University Children's Hospital (Bruce & Nancy Varner)
• 2009 Dick Bryant Memorial Award - Santa Clause Inc. (Bruce & Nancy Varner)
• 2007 Inland Empire's Best Lawyers - Featured Inland Empire Magazine (September)
• 2006 Appointed by Governor Schwartzennegger to the University California Board of Regents
• 2004 Arrowhead Distinguished Executive Officer - California State University San Bernardino
• 2002 Visionary Award - San Bernardino Boys & Girls Club
• 1996 Ernst & Young LLP Inland Empire Entrepreneur of the Year Award - Supporter of Entrepreneurship

Community Involvement & Pro Bono

• Friends of the Arrowhead, Inc., Founding Member, Board of Directors
• Foundation Board of Governors, California State University, San Bernardino
• Inland Empire Economic Partnership, Member and Past Chairman of the Board of Directors
• Judge Pro-Tem, Municipal and Superior Court
• Monday Morning Group, Riverside California
• National Orange Show, Board of Directors and Executive Committee
• President's Advancement Council - California State University, San Bernardino, Member and Past Chair
• San Bernardino County Sheriff, Specialized Services Bureau, Lieutenant (Volunteer)
• San Bernardino County District Attorney's Advisory Council
• Served as a member of various San Bernardino County Bar Association committees, including delegate to State Bar Convention, Public Relations Committee
• Service Academy Review Board, 41st Congressional District, Member
• Silver Eagle Club, Board of Driectors and Past Chair
• Speakers Bureau and Bar Bulletin Committee (Co-Chairman Speakers Bureau)
• Superior Court Arbitrator
• University of California Board of Regents, Vice Chair
• University of California Riverside Foundation Board of Trustees

Private Sector Boards & Positions

• Matich Corporation, Member, Board of Directors
• SBM Dairies, Inc., Board of Directors
• Security Bank of California, Board of Directors
• Stater Bros. Development Inc., Board of Directors and Secretary
• Stater Bros. Markets, Board of Directors and Secretary, and Executive Committee
• Stater Bros. Holdings Inc., Board of Directors and Secretary
• Super Rx, Inc., Member, Board of Directors and Secretary

Military

• United States Army infantry, 2nd Lieutenant; Active Duty, Fort Benning, Georgia (1959)

Education

• University of California, Hastings College of the Law (The Order of the Coif), JD, 1962
• University of California at Santa Barbara, BA, 1958

Admissions

• American Bar Association
• The State Bar of California
• Federal District Court for the Central District of California
• Montana State Bar
• Riverside County Bar Association
• San Bernardino County Bar Association
• United States Supreme Court
• United States Tax Court