About Us
History of Ayayo Law Offices, APC
After working for two large law firms in San Francisco’s financial district, Chris moved to Orange County for personal and business reasons. Chris opened Ayayo Law Offices in July of 1997 and has never looked back.
Ayayo Law Offices, APC has allowed Chris to do what he loves most – work directly with great clients who appreciate his legal acumen and enjoy his positive attitude and sense of humor. Chris met his partner, Deborah Young, at UC-Hastings College of the law, and after pursuing other business interests, Deborah joined Chris at the firm. The rest, they say, is history.
Christopher P. Ayayo, Esq. Founder and Managing Partner
Chris’ parents emigrated to America in the 1950’s from the Phillipines. They were not familiar with the American legal system, and growing up, he always felt that we were being taken advantage of by others because of this ignorance. Chris became a lawyer so that he could help hard-working and deserving people navigate through our legal system.
Chris has been an entrepreneur since he was a kid, when he ran his own snow-shoveling and grass-cutting businesses. Thus, it was logical that he gravitated to business law. Chris started his career as a business litigator, and this experience helped him hone his transactional skills, as he was able to see first hand why many business deals and contracts went bad. The Wills and Trusts practice developed organically- as his business clients became increasingly successful, they realized their need to plan for the future. Chris also co-founded and served as CEO of a technology company that was ultimately bought out in a transaction valued in the eight figures. Chris currently serves as an Outside Director and Chairman of the Board of a privately-held eight-figure manufacturing company in Orange County.
Chris is also a licensed Real Estate Broker (CA DRE # 01523184) and a licensed Mortgage Loan Originator (NMLS# 395750) who has extensive experience with short sales, standard residential sales, and financing.
Deborah Young, Esq. Partner
From early childhood, Debbie’s parents owned a Chinese restaurant. Her interest in Law was spurred by her own family’s personal legal challenges, when her parents were ordered to move from their first location by the City of Costa Mesa, as a result of eminent domain. The forced relocation created 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 it came time to negotiate with the City for fair compensation.
These dramatic events created a lasting impression that compelled, Deborah to become an attorney who provides legal assistance to small businesses and individuals as a means of empowering them to achieve their goals. She handles general civil, transactional, bankruptcy and probate/trust matters and litigation.
