Ayayo Law Offices

Debbie's parents owned a Chinese restaurant since she was a child.  Her interest in law was spurred by her parents' experience when the City of Costa Mesa took their first location by eminent domain.  The forced relocation was an extreme hardship on both the business and her family.  Deborah realized that her parents' lack of business acumen and legal resources placed them at a huge disadvantage throughout the entire process, especially when they negotiated with the City for compensation.  

Debbie became an attorney to provide legal assistance to small businesses and individuals as a means of empowering them to achieve their goals.   

I.  Educational Background

B.A. Economics/Business, University of California - Los Angeles '91 (Los Angeles, CA)

J.D., Hastings College of Law  '94                        (San Francisco, CA)

II.  Prior Work Experience

Law Clerk, FDIC (San Francisco, CA)

Associate, Law Offices of Dean Lloyd                     (Palo Alto, CA)

Associate, Law Offices of Chris Ibarra                 (San Francisco, CA)

Corporate Counsel, Security Administration and Land Services (Fremont, CA)

III. Representative Matters

Probate/Trust – Successfully litigated Trust dispute on behalf of Trust beneficiary who was being denied his inheritance by the Trustee.      

Government Compliance - Represented business with respect to the County's failure to maintain and repair irrigation system running through client's property.   Successfully resolved dispute by having the County enter into agreement whereby the County agreed to assume all maintenance and repair obligations relating to the system and mitigate any adverse effects to the business' own property.                                                                                                                                         

Corporate Counsel– Handled all legal issues relating to the operation of a closely held company with over 150 employees.  Addressed Board on corporate governance issues, drafted employee handbooks and personnel policies, handled contract disputes and collection matters, advised on business planning and strategy in light of applicable law and regulations.