Until recently George has also been a practicing lawyer and partner at the National law firm of Manatt, Phelps, and Phillips, based in Los Angeles. While he no longer focuses on the practice law, he continues to serve as a National Advisor to the firm. During his time as lawyer, George was recognized as one the best and most influential lawyers in his field. The Los Angeles Business Journal named him one of the 500 most influential people in Los Angeles every year since the Journal starting tracking in 2016. He was named one of the most influential lawyers in California by Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals in 2000 and 2010. Best Lawyers in America named him Los Angeles Administrative/Regulatory Lawyer of the Year in 2019, 2021, and 2024.
He has led a broad ‘career’ in public service. He was a principal co-author of the new Los Angeles City Charter, adopted in 1999 – the first full revision since 1923. He is Regent Emeritus and Chair Emeritus of the Board of Regents of the University of California and during his career has served on multiple public and private boards and commissions. An advisor to both business and elected leaders, he has been honored for his public service by numerous civic organizations, including the Urban League, the Coro Foundation and the Pat Brown Institute. In 2013 he received the Anti-Defamation League’s Jurisprudence Award. In 2018 he received the Los Angeles Heritage Award on behalf of his law firm. In 2026 he was awarded the Los Angeles Civic Medal of Honor by the Greater Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. Previous awardees have included Warren Christopher, Magic Johnson, Sherry Lansing, and John Mack among others.
George is the author of The Strategy of Meetings published by Simon and Schuster. He was a contributing author to Governing Public Colleges and Universities (c. Jossey-Bass).
George lives in Los Angeles and is married to Judith Kieffer, with two sons, Geordie and Ian, both in the arts.