Stroud, Hannah

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.