Kenneth Harris Brown, 69, passed away peacefully at his home in Oakland, CA, on June 7, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on October 20, 1955, in Los Angeles, Ken was a skilled attorney, devoted father and grandfather, and cherished friend to many.

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Ken approached life with a rare mix of discipline, humor, and passion. Endlessly active, he shared his love of surfing, windsurfing, swimming, and road cycling with lifelong friends and family. His deep appreciation for music—especially the Rolling Stones—was a defining part of who he was; he proudly made sure that his grandson could recognize Mick Jagger before the age of two. He was a gifted storyteller, built deep and genuine connections, and was an expert at delivering advice grounded in evidence, pragmatism, and humorous truths. 

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A graduate of UC Santa Barbara and Hastings College of the Law, Ken built a distinguished career in bankruptcy law, spending the last 27 years of his professional life at Pachulski, Stang, Ziehl & Jones. He approached every case with careful logic, intellectual rigor, and a commitment to fairness. Ken skillfully led the firm’s litigation team in representing survivor committees in high-profile bankruptcy cases involving the Roman Catholic Church, with a focus on recovering assets for victims of sexual abuse. His leadership in one such case helped secure a judgment exceeding $100 million—a testament to both his exceptional legal acumen and sense of moral purpose.

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Above all, Ken was a loving father and devoted friend. He leaves behind daughters Jessica and Cassandra Brown, sister Janet Brown, and grandson Gabriel, his greatest joy. 

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Ken taught us to think critically, care deeply, and laugh often—especially at ourselves. He will be in our hearts and memories always, and we miss him dearly.