Steven L. Passer is a principal in the firm, having practiced in our Business Practice Group since joining the firm in 1991.

Steve works with entrepreneurs and closely held businesses that use Payne & Jones Business Practice Group for all of their business legal needs. This work includes choosing and structuring the appropriate operating entity, structuring agreements amongst the owners, financing, employment issues, contract negotiations and transactions, real and personal property acquisitions and sales, mergers and acquisitions, tax strategies and other day-to-day legal business issues. In addition, he works directly with the owners of these entities and their families concerning their personal legal needs, including estate planning, tax work, real estate and probate. In addition, Steve works with families and school districts in the area of special education law.

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Steve received his Bachelor of Arts summa cum laude, in theater and communications studying in New York City from Yeshiva University, a four-year Associates of Arts degree (valedictorian) from James Striar University and a Master of Fine Arts in acting and directing from the University of Iowa in 1981. During college, he was President of the Alpha Psi Omega Honorary Fraternity, on the varsity fencing team and appeared in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. At the University of Iowa, he was an undergraduate instructor in theater and dance. Prior to law school, Steve was the motivational speaker for Cencor, Inc.

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After working as a professional actor and director for ten years, Steve went back to school at the University of Kansas for his law degree where he graduated with the highest distinction. Additional honors earned while at law school included American Juris Prudence Awards in seven subjects, Order of the Coif, the Robert B. Edmonds Prize in corporation and securities law and the Samuel Mellinger Leadership Award. Steve was a legal research and writing teaching assistant, a member of the University of Kansas Law Review, Editor of the Criminal Procedure Review and author of a Comment, entitled, “Commercial Arbitration Between American and Japanese Businesses: A Japanese Perspective,” 39 Kansas Law Review 223, Fall, 1990.

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Steve is admitted to practice before the bars of the State of Kansas, State of Missouri and the Federal District Courts in Kansas and Missouri. He is a member of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, the Kansas Bar Association, the Johnson County Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Steve is a certified Special Education Due Process Hearing Officer for the State of Kansas.