Eric V. Traut

Top rated Personal Injury attorney in Santa Ana, California

Traut Firm
Eric V. Traut
Traut Firm

Practice Areas: Personal Injury, Products Liability

Licensed in California since: 1990

Education: Western State University College of Law

Selected to Super Lawyers: 2005 - 2014, 2022 - 2023

Traut Firm

5 Hutton Centre Drive
Suite 700
Santa Ana, CA 92707 Phone: 714-835-7000 Email: Eric V. Traut Visit website

Details

Eric Traut distinguished himself early as one of the top trial attorneys in Southern California when he was recognized as the youngest winner of the prestigious “Trial Lawyer of the Year” award in the history of the Orange County Trial Lawyer Association and has gone on to try more than 100 jury trials over his 31- year career. For ten consecutive years, Eric has been selected by his peers to the list of Super Lawyers, including the “Top 50 Orange County” and “Top 100 Southern California” as featured in Los Angeles Magazine. Additionally, Eric is honored to be named to the list of Best Lawyers of America, a recognition reserved for only the top 3% of the Bar. In 2020, Eric was invited to become a member of the very exclusive and prestigious International Society of Barristers. He is 1 of only 65 members in the entire state of California, and 1 of only 3 members in Orange County who practices law in the areas of plaintiff personal injury and wrongful death. Eric has handled high-profile cases that have resulted in appearances on Good Morning America, Fox News, Court T.V., and ABC's "Primetime." Eric was the youngest member ever admitted to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) at the age of 33, where he served as President of the Orange County Chapter of ABOTA in 2010. He is currently one of just 200 ABOTA Diplomates to have tried more than 100 jury trials, of the 7,000 members of the organization. In January 2020, he received the Trial Lawyer of the Year award from the Orange County Chapter of ABOTA,

which is recognized as the highest honor a Southern California Lawyer can receive, awarded annually to a recipient exhibiting the best traits of a Southern California trial lawyer. In December 2019, he received The Robert Samuel Barnes Award from the Orange County Bar Foundation's Project Youth, which is only given to a recipient who has contributed substantially to Project Youth in order to assist in best serving the youth and families of Orange County. In January 2018, he received the ABOTA Joseph D. McNeil Civility Award, which is only given to a member whose integrity, civility and professionalism inspire trust among counsel and clients, and promotes respect for the profession. As the Past President of the Orange County Bar Foundation, Eric led a non-profit organization strengthening Orange County youth and families through unique, award-winning health and education programs. In 2008, he was named as Alumni of the Year at Western State University Law School and was inducted into the school’s "Hall of Fame" in 2013. He is a recipient of the Angelo Palmieri Award for Civility from the Banyard Inn of Court and was the first lawyer to be awarded the OC Look award by Orange Coast Magazine, an award given to those individuals who exemplify success and style in Orange County. Eric has been a speaker at countless seminars on litigation and trial skills, spoken at various law schools about the importance of civility and professionalism and published multiple articles on strategy and practice.

In 2020, Eric was invited to become a member of the very exclusive and prestigious International Society of Barristers. He is 1 of only 65 members in the entire state of California, and 1 of only 3 members in Orange County who practices law in the areas of plaintiff personal injury and wrongful death. Eric has handled high-profile cases that have resulted in appearances on Good Morning America, Fox News, Court T.V., and ABC's "Primetime." Eric was the youngest member ever admitted to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) at the age of 33, where he served as President of the Orange County Chapter of ABOTA in 2010. He is currently one of just 200 ABOTA Diplomates to have tried more than 100 jury trials, of the 7,000 members of the organization. In January 2020, he received the Trial Lawyer of the Year award from the Orange County Chapter of ABOTA,

which is recognized as the highest honor a Southern California Lawyer can receive, awarded annually to a recipient exhibiting the best traits of a Southern California trial lawyer. In December 2019, he received The Robert Samuel Barnes Award from the Orange County Bar Foundation's Project Youth, which is only given to a recipient who has contributed substantially to Project Youth in order to assist in best serving the youth and families of Orange County. In January 2018, he received the ABOTA Joseph D. McNeil Civility Award, which is only given to a member whose integrity, civility and professionalism inspire trust among counsel and clients, and promotes respect for the profession. As the Past President of the Orange County Bar Foundation, Eric led a non-profit organization strengthening Orange County youth and families through unique, award-winning health and education programs. In 2008, he was named as Alumni of the Year at Western State University Law School and was inducted into the school’s "Hall of Fame" in 2013.

He is a recipient of the Angelo Palmieri Award for Civility from the Banyard Inn of Court and was the first lawyer to be awarded the OC Look award by Orange Coast Magazine, an award given to those individuals who exemplify success and style in Orange County. Eric has been a speaker at countless seminars on litigation and trial skills, spoken at various law schools about the importance of civility and professionalism and published multiple articles on strategy and practice.

First Admitted: 1990, California

Professional Webpage: http://erictraut.com/about-marquee

Newsletters:
Special Licenses/Certifications:
  • Civil Pretrial Practice Advocate, National Board of Trial Advocacy
  • Civil Trial Law, National Board of Trail Advocacy, 1999 – Present
  • Civil Trial Specialist, National Board of Trial Advocacy
  • Licensed Private Investigator
  • National Board of Legal Specialty Certification – Board Certified Advocate
Videos:
Representative Clients:
Educational Background:
  • Western State University - College of Law, 1989
Honors/Awards:
  • Eric has been nominated by the Orange County Chapter of ABOTA for the 2021 CAL-ABOTA Trial Lawyer of the Year. Says OC-ABOTA, " Eric Traut is a 'lawyer’s lawyer,' a down-to-earth practitioner who truly loves his craft and who employs his formidable skills and innate talent, not just for the benefit of his immediate clients, but for the betterment of his community and our system of civil justice. We believe that Eric meets and far exceeds the criteria for this important award. The Orange County Chapter is honored to nominate this exceptional trial lawyer as CAL-ABOTA Trial Lawyer of the Year.", 2021 CAL-ABOTA Trial Lawyer of the Year, CAL-ABOTA, 2021
  • The American College of Board Certified Attorneys, The American College of Board Certified Attorneys, ACBC Attorneys
  • The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Civil Plantiff, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Civil Plantiff, The National Trial Lawyers
  • America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators, America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators, America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell
  • ABOTA Trial Lawyer of The Year, ABOTA Trial Lawyer of The Year, ABOTA, 2020
  • Best Law Firms 2020, Best Law Firms, Best Lawyers in America, 2020
  • Eric had the honor of being listed to the 2020 Best Lawyers of America list for Southern California, an esteemed list celebrating only the top 3% of the bar. Eric is being recognized for his esteemed work in Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs., Best Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, 2020
  • Eric and his colleague, Dan Robinson, were listed to the Top 100 Verdicts in California of 2019 for a co-tried jury trial resulting in a $3 million unanimous jury verdict. Top Verdicts recognizes U.S. law firms and attorneys who have obtained the highest jury verdicts, settlements, or court awards in the Nation or an individual state, in a particular area of law, and year. Read more…, Top 100 Verdicts in California, Top Verdict, 2019
  • In December 2019, he received The Robert Samuel Barnes Award from the Orange County Bar Foundation's Project Youth, which is only given to a recipient who has contributed substantially to Project Youth in order to assist in best serving the youth and families of Orange County, Robert Samuel Barnes Award, Orange County Bar Foundation, 2019
  • The American College of Board Certified Attorneys, The American College of Board Certified Attorneys , ACBC Attorneys, 2019
  • Eric and Traut Firm were listed to the top 100 Personal Injury settlements obtained in California for his $1,710,000 case, Tinkler v. Gonzalez., Top 100 Personal Injury Settlements, Top Verdict, 2019
  • America's Top 100 most esteemed Personal Injury Attorneys for Southern California in 2019., Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys for Southern California, America's Top 100, 2019
  • Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs, Best Lawyers, Best Lawyers, 2018
  • Eric was officially accepted as a member of The National Trial Lawyer's Top 100, an invitation-only organization of premier trial lawyers from each state with specific qualifications as civil plaintiff and/or criminal defense trial lawyers., The National Trial Lawyer's Top 100, The National Trial Lawyer, 2018
  • Eric received the incredible honor of the Orange County Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates's Joseph McNeil Civility and Professionalism Award. This award is given to a member whose integrity, civility, and professionalism inspires trust among counsel and clients, and promotes respect for the profession. Eric will be given the award at the Installation Dinner in January 2018., Joseph D. McNeil Civility Award, ABOTA, 2018
  • Best Lawyers recognition, Best Lawyers, Best Lawyers, 2017
  • Thanks to the amazing reviews from his satisfied clients, Eric has received the Avvo Clients' Choice Award! This award only comes from positive reviews from clients!, Clients' Choice Award, Avvo, 2017
  • An ABOTA Diplomate recognition is only given by the ABOTA board after an advocate has been lead counsel in over 100 civil jury trials tried to verdict, with a long and established practice of the law and a dedicated membership to ABOTA. Many times this designation takes place after 40-50 years of practice, but Eric is proud to have acheived this designation after only 26 years. Please join Traut Firm as we congratulate Eric for his esteemed recognition for excellence in his practice of the law., Diplomate, ABOTA, 2016
  • US News and World Report, Best Law Firms, Best Lawyers, 2016
  • For litigation and personal injury, Best Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, 2016
  • Best Lawyers in America, for Litigation and Personal Injury, Best Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, 2015
  • Alumni Hall of Fame from Western State Law School, Alumni Hall of Fame from Western State Law School, Western State Law School, 2013
  • For extraordinary efforts on behalf of the Society of Fellows, Distinguished Society of Fellows Award, Orange County Bar Foundation, 2012
  • OC Look Award from Orange Coast Magazine, OC Look Award, Orange Coast Magazine, 2010
  • Angelo Palmieri Award for Civility & Professionalism, Angelo Palmieri Award, Banyard Inn of Court, 2009
  • Alumni of the Year Award from Western State University College of Law , Alumni of the Year Award, Western State University College of Law , 2008
  •   Orange County Trial Lawyer of the Year, Trial Lawyer of the Year, Orange County Trial Lawyers Association, 2003
Verdicts/Settlements:
  • The civil trial against a Hollywood assistant director for invasion of privacy in Schrauwers v. Kevin Roy ended with an $850,000 verdict on November 4, 2021, with attorney Eric Traut representing the victims, at Santa Monica Superior Court Department “O” before Hon. Jay Ford, III. [Link to the ruling: https://lnkd.in/gmNqnmbg]The civil trial follows a criminal conviction of a long time Hollywood Assistant Director, Kevin Roy, involving other victims in 2015 where the District Attorney recovered 400 photos and 40 videos exposing women, including the three plaintiffs, in private spaces including dressing rooms, bathrooms, retails stores, and film sets. [Times story: https://lnkd.in/gD_uZsUJ]The trial on behalf of three of the victims presented claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress and invasion of privacy as set forth in the lawsuit filed in 2016 and concluded October 5, 2021.Said Traut, “The victims I represent have been caused to feel humiliation and emotional distress by the conduct of someone they thought was a friend and in one instance, a brother-in-law. While nothing can truly repair the damage he caused, my hope is that through this verdict some degree of justice can be served that can help them repair and rebuild after their trauma. Because the statute of limitations had run for these three victims in the criminal case, this civil lawsuit was their only path to justice.”, 2021
  • Orange County pays $195,000 to teen threatened at gunpoint by an off-duty deputy. Read more..., 2021
  • $4.1 million bench verdict on behalf of a plaintiff who suffered a mild traumatic brain injury in an automobile collision caused by an on-duty DEA agent, 2020
  • $70M Freeway Complex Fire Verdict – Daily Journal’s Top Verdict of 2012, 2012
  • $1.4 million verdict in slip and fall at a market with back surgery with a $30,000 initial offer.
  • $54,656 verdict for two broken ribs with a $3,000 initial offer.
  • $4 million verdict in wrongful death of a mother of four who was accidentally shot with a $0 initial offer.
  • $2.9 million arbitration award against major Indian Gaming facility with $60k initial offer
  • $3 million settlement in wrongful death case.
  • $3 million verdict in personal injury case with a $300,000 original offer.
  • $4.76 million verdict in helicopter crash
  • $2.25 million verdict in electrocution of a father with a $20,000 initial offer.
  • $2.8 million verdict in denial of stock options by energy company.
  • $84,660 verdict for injury incurred by elderly plaintiff when an employee opened a door into her with a $7,500 initial offer.
  • $281,000 verdict in "speed contest" collision with a $15,000 initial offer.
  • $2.88 million verdict against Pechanga Resort & Casino in slip and fall arbitration.
  • $24,000 verdict in low-speed collision with a $400 initial offer.
  • $1.1 million verdict for couple injured in auto collision with a $90,000 initial offer.
  • $500,000 verdict for motorcycle vs. bus incident causing severe leg injury with a $25,000 initial offer.
  • $38,300 verdict in auto collision with a $5,000 initial offer.
  • $62k verdict in soft tissue injury automobile case with a $5,700 initial offer
  • $1.25 million verdict in auto collision with head trauma with a $350,000 initial offer.
  • $131,117 verdict in assault case by employee of nightclub with a $0 initial offer.
  • $182,000 verdict in surface hazard fall.
  • $1.5 million settlement obtained for victim of drunk driver accident.
  • $84,666 verdict in negligent supervision case with a $7,500 initial offer.
  • $669,623 verdict in neck and back injury automobile case with $10,000 pre-trial offer., 2017
  • $505,000 Jury Verdict in Riverside Superior Court - Indio. Carrier had offered $250,000 prior to trial Plaintiff had made a demand per CCP 998 for $499,000, 2012
  • $100,000 settlement for injury on Jetpack in Newport Beach CA, as referenced in recent article in Orange County Register "Newport Beach bans new jet pack businesses for six months" http://www.ocregister.com/articles/jet-627059-harbor-city.html, 2014
Bar/Professional Activity:
  • Orange County Trial Lawyers Charities Board Member - Founding Member #1, 2021
  • Eric had the very high honor of being nominated, vetted, and then selected to be a fellow of the International Society of Barristers! Eric is 1 of only 65 members in the entire state of California, and 1 of only 3 members in Orange County who practice plaintiff personal injury and wrongful death. The organization was created to bring together only the best of the trial bar by nomination of an existing Fellow. Read more…, 2020
  • Legacy Fellow - ABOTA Foundation, 2019
  • Constitutional Rights Foundation of Orange County, Board Member, 2019
  • Diplomate, ABOTA, 2016
  • Member - Consumer Attorneys of California, President’s Club, 2016
  • Member - Consumer Attorneys of California, Advocates Club, 2016
  • Co-President with Chris Wesierski - Banyard Inn of Court, 2016
  • Member - Consumer Attorneys of California, Legislative Committee, 2016
  • Member - Consumer Attorneys of California, Board of Governors, 2016
  • Immediate Past President, Orange County Bar Foundation, 2015
  • ABOTA National Representative, 2015
  • Past President - Orange County Bar Foundation/Project Youth, 2014
  • President Elect - Orange County Bar Foundation, 2013
  • Past President - Orange County Chapter of ABOTA, 2010
  • President - Lex Romana - Italian Lawyers Bar Association, 2005
  • Board Member - Orange County Bar Association, 2002
  • President - Orange County Trial Lawyers Association, 2002
  • Board Member - Banyard Inn of Court, 2002
  • Member - Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles
  • Member - Consumer Attorneys Association of California
  • Past President - Orange County Trial Lawyers Association
  • Advocate - Orange County Chapter of ABOTA
  • Past President - Banyard Inn of Court
  • Member - American Inns of Court
  • Chair - Orange County Bar Assoc. Semi-Annual College of Trial Advocacy
  • Member - Consumer Attorneys of California, Continuing Education Committee
Pro bono/Community Service:
  • Eric and Connor attended and sponsored the inaugural fundraising event for the Orange County Trial Lawyers' Charities, where Eric serves as one of the 50 founding members. The beach luau, held at the Newport Dunes, raised money for OC charities like Colette's Children's Home, Human Options, Serving Advantage, Wise Place, So Cal Trykers, and more., 2021
  • Eric generously gave baseball tickets to Royce, a cancer survivor, and a person with autism who is an enormous baseball fan. Says Royce of the game, "This was the most exciting thing we've done all pandemic! It was great! Thanks again!", 2021
  • To help aid the efforts of finding the criminals involved in the shooting of 6-year-old Aiden Leos, Eric contributed to the reward for finding Aiden's killers. Said Eric to the family, "An arrest won't change things, but in my experience in handling wrongful death cases over 30 years, it does provide a modicum of justice and a little closure for the family." See the KCBS story about people stepping up..., 2021
  • Traut Firm welcomes their newest Project SELF Summer Intern, Lucia Ramirez. Eric's previous interns have gotten numerous scholarships and even accepting offers from schools like Berkley Law School. We wish all the best to Lucia and look forward to working with her! Read more…, 2021
  • In celebration of his birthday last month, Eric started a Facebook fundraiser to support the Orange County Bar Foundation's Project Youth. Eric raised over $3,345 for the nonprofit, thanks to his family and friends that participated. Says Eric, "Project Youth has been doing some great work during the pandemic." Read more…, 2021
  • Lunch for 90 officers! Eric provided lunch for the Santa Ana Police Department as a sign of appreciation for the men and women on the front lines of this pandemic. Said Gerry Serrano, President of the Santa Ana Police Officers Association (SAPOA), "On behalf of all the men and women for the Santa Ana Police Officers Association (SAPOA) our warmest and sincerest thanks to Mr. Traut and his Firm." We hope all of the officers continue to be safe and healthy!, 2020
  • The Traut Firm supports frontline workers including men and women in blue for all they do for our community. We wanted to make sure the Buena Park Police had a hearty lunch before going back to work. Naturally, In-N-Out is the best option with some delicious double-doubles, fries, and protein shakes.  , 2020
  • Eric and Connor volunteered on Saturday, May 2, 2020, at St. Phillips Church in Fullerton, CA. This was a collaborative effort with community partners in the United Across Borders Foundation's first emergency food distribution program in North Orange County.   , 2020
  • Eric's intern, Elizabeth Medina Muniz, was the lucky recipient of a scholarship from Project Youth OCBF. Says Muniz on her internship, "I was given the position of administrative clerk. Eric Traut, who I find to be flexible and kind, allowed me to see a deposition first hand through Zoom. At the Traut Firm, the entire staff treat each other like a family and I am grateful to have become part of the family." Muniz plans on applying to many colleges and putting the scholarship towards her physician's assistant career goal., 2020
  • Eric had the pleasure of sponsoring a virtual beer tasting fundraiser for Project Youth supporting Project Youth OCBF’s programs that help Orange County youth and their families, especially those who have been hit hardest by covid. Read more..., 2020
  • This summer, Eric and Pamela have hired a Project Youth intern. This program provides the opportunity for underprivileged youth to experience an office setting and participate in numerous clerical tasks while observing lawyers in their day to day routines. Elizabeth Medina-Muniz is a high-school student from Santa Ana and a Higher Education Mentoring Program participant with a bright future ahead of her. We look forward to seeing her grow while working at the firm. Read More…, 2020
  • Pamela and Eric helped distribute food to over 1,100 families at the St. Phillips Church in Fullerton, CA. This was a collaborative effort with community partners in the United Across Borders Foundation's first emergency food distribution program in North Orange County., 2020
  • Eric recently donated to a youth girls softball team that's part of a travel ball organization called BatBusters. The nonprofit promotes female athletes with family and financial hardships to support their dreams of going to college on softball scholarships. Read more…, 2020
  • Krystal Ramirez, a student of Saddleback High, has received Eric and Pamela's annual college scholarship. Ramirez will be using her new scholarship at California State University, Fullerton., 2020
  • On July 29, Project Youth OCBF held its first ZOOM Scholarship Ceremony to present 35 students with college scholarships. As Project SELF Chair, Eric had a chance to express the value of the Project SELF program and how fantastic the participants were., 2020
  • Every year, Project Youth OCBF makes a considerable difference in hundreds of OC families' lives, and sponsoring the golf tournament helps make this possible. This year, Nalia represented Traut Firm at the 24th Annual John C. Herklotz SHORTSTOP Golf Classic on September 25th at Strawberry Farms Golf Club. The firm sponsored hole #16 and provided snacks, drinks, and our firm's informational folders. Eric's friend, Todd, even stopped by to poke fun at us!, 2020
  • Thanks to contributions from friends, family, and colleagues, Eric was the top donor for the Project Youth Virtual OC Marathon. Eric and Traut Firm raised over $8,000 for Feed the Need. Says Project Youth, "Special thanks to our superstar Eric Traut of the Traut Firm who was our top fundraiser raising over $8,000." Project Youth OCBF will be using the donations from the marathon to provide Thanksgiving meals to 300 families affected by the pandemic. Read more…, 2020
  • A message from Eric: "Thank you to all my generous friends who assist me in fundraising for the OC Marathon each year. With Covid, the marathon and fundraising efforts had to go in a different direction. The holidays are meant to be a time of togetherness and joy but with the coronavirus pandemic this year, the holidays could be even more stressful for some families. Project Youth OCBF is a local nonprofit with a 50-year history of serving youth and families with education, health and diversion services. Now they are doing more than ever for our community and we need to support their efforts. Project Youth OCBF’s goal is to Feed the Need and help families who are struggling to put food on the table by distributing holiday meals for Thanksgiving. To make this goal a reality we need your help. Please join me in raising funds for Project Youth OCBF. Every dollar donated will help provide food towards a holiday meal for families in need.” Read more…, 2020
  • Eric donates $2000 to two Project Youth Scholarships. In addition to his annual $1000 Higher Education Mentoring scholarship, Eric donated another $1000 from a recent case as a scholarship for this amazing program., 2019
  • Eric received high praises for a pro bono case he had been working on for the past two years." You graciously offered to help us with this case for free," said the family. "You helped my family through a very trying time in our lives, we are so grateful for you.", 2019
  • Eric had the chance to witness some of the brightest high school minds at the Constitutional Rights Foundation high school mock trial. Eric was a scorer for the Troy and Newport Harbor High trial taking place at the Orange County Superior Court., 2019
  • Eric has raised $3,835 and is on his way to being the #1 top fundraiser for Project Youth OCBF! This program keeps at-risk youth in school, healthy and drug-free through education, counseling, mentoring and family strengthening., 2019
  • Eric Pledges $100,000 to Orange County Bar Foundation’s Project Youth. With a $100,000 pledge to the nonprofit’s mission to elevate, educate, and empower Orange County youth, more resources will go to the direction of families, scholarships, and funding support for programs., 2019
  • For the second consecutive year in a row, Traut Firm will be sponsoring the Orange County Women Lawyers Association Annual Gala in October at Pelican Hill Resort. The OCWLA is dedicated to advancing women in the legal profession by providing a professional network and raising awareness of discrimination and bias., 2019

Office location for Eric V. Traut

5 Hutton Centre Drive
Suite 700
Santa Ana, CA 92707

Attorney resources for Eric V. Traut

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