Kenneth D. Passon is a native of Southern California, born in Los Angeles in 1953. Ken graduated with honors from Grant High School in 1971. After graduating cum laude from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1975, with a B.A. in political science, he received his juris doctorate degree from Loyola University School of Law, Los Angeles in 1978 where he again graduated cum laude and was a member and officer of the St. Thomas More Law Honor Society. In 1978, he was admitted to practice law in the State of California and 9th Circuit appellate and district courts. In 1998, he was also admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.
Ken joined the firm as a partner in 1988. His areas of specialization include real property and title insurance litigation, commercial law, mortgage banking and lending operations, receiverships, and equipment leasing. He is a member of the Orange County Bar Association, Real Estate Section, and California Receiver's Forum and was former counsel to the Orange County Sports Association, Freedom Bowl Collegiate Football Game, and Orange County Sports Foundation. Ken has been awarded the highest rating of "AV" from Martindale-Hubbell for professional excellence and ethics.
During his career, Ken has been attorney of record on numerous reported official opinions including Dodd v. Citizens Bank of Costa Mesa (1990) 222 Cal.App.3d 1624; Symonds v. Mercury Savings and Loan (1990) 225 Cal.App.3d 1458; In re Lievsay (1996) 199 B.R. 705; and Lievsay v. Western Fin. Sav. Bank (9th Cir. 1997) 118 F.3d 661.
When he is not practicing law, Ken is an avid golfer, a certified scuba diver, fashions himself a gourmet chef, and has traveled extensively around the world. Ken and his wife reside in Orange County with their friendly golden retrievers.
Ted A. Galfin, Esquire
Ted A. Galfin was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1953. After relocating to Southern California as a child, Ted attended James Francis Polytechnic High School. After graduating from high school, Ted attended the University of California at Berkeley and received a B.A. degree in sociology. Thereafter, Ted attended law school at Golden Gate University in San Francisco where he obtained his juris doctorate degree in 1980. Ted was then admitted to the State Bar of California that same year and then admitted to all of the various federal district courts in California.
Ted first joined the firm in 1982 and since that time has obtained extensive experience in commercial law, creditor bankruptcy, banking, real estate and business transactions, and landlord/tenant issues. Additionally, Ted has a unique specialization in the area of manufactured housing and mobilehome law. Beyond litigation, Ted specializes in general corporate and real estate transactions. Ted is a member of the Orange County Bankruptcy Forum and Orange County Bar Association. He is also a former Judge Pro Tempore, Orange County Harbor Judicial District. Ted has been awarded the highest rating of "AV" from Martindale-Hubbell for professional excellence and ethics.
Ted has numerous hobbies and interests including adult ice hockey, snowboarding, scuba diving, golf and cooking. Ted has been married since 1975 and lives in Orange County with his teenage daughter and son.
Adam M. Greely, Esquire
Adam M. Greely was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1964. Adam was raised in Southern California, but attended high school at The Taft School in Connecticut where he graduated in 1983. Adam attended Pomona College and graduated in 1987, receiving his B.A. degree in government/public policy. Adam then attended Loyola Lawschool, Los Angeles, where he received his juris doctorate degree in 1991. During law school, Adam was also a member of the St. Thomas More Law Honor Society.
Since his graduation from law school, Adam has been in private practice specializing in commercial and business litigation and creditor bankruptcy. Adam has been with Galfin, Passon & Greely since 1994. While with the firm, Adam has lectured at various seminars concerning creditor's rights, bankruptcy law, and collection of judgments.
Besides being a member of the State Bar of California, Adam is a member of the Creditor's Rights Section of the Orange County Bar Association and Orange County Bankruptcy Forum where he served on various committees, and is currently on the Board of Directors.
Adam is married and resides in Orange County with his wife and two young sons.
Marcelle S. Strauss, Esquire Of-Counsel
Marcelle Strauss was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1960. In 1970, she moved to Palos Verdes, California, where she attended Palos Verdes High School. In 1982, Marcelle received a B.A. degree from the University of California, Berkeley, with a major in international relations and political economics. Marcelle also played the piccolo in the renowned California Bears Marching Band. After taking a year off to relax before embarking on her career, she attended the McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific in Sacramento, California, where she graduated in 1986.
As a full time student, Marcelle worked as a Law Clerk for the United States Department of the Interior, for the Law and Motion Department of the Superior Court, and for the Sacramento County District Attorney. During law school, Marcelle also received honors for her oral argument presentation in the International Moot Court Competition and was selected as a legal writing instructor for first year law students.
After graduation from law school, Marcelle relocated back to Southern California where she joined a law firm specializing in liability defense litigation. Marcelle became a member of the State Bar of California and was admitted to practice before all district and appellate courts in the State of California. Her varied case load included business and real estate matters, errors and omissions and general liability defense.
Marcelle then joined Galfin, Passon and Greely in 1991 where she has continued as a senior litigator handling various liability, employment, wrongful termination, business, and real estate litigation matters. She also regularly acts as Judge Pro Tem in the Orange County Superior Court and presides over settlement conferences. Marcelle is also an Adjunct Professor at Whittier Law School.
Marcelle lives with her husband and young daughter in Orange County, California. Her hobbies include music, dance, and international travel.
