Experienced. Passionate. Fearless. Results.
James R. Traut is the founding partner of the Traut Firm, a legal malpractice and personal injury firm located in Santa Ana, California. His practice is devoted exclusively to litigation and focuses on helping plaintiffs throughout Southern California in serious personal injury cases involving motor vehicle accidents, including truck, auto, motorcycle and bike accidents, traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death cases, and premises liability. These cases involve brain injuries, spinal injuries, severe fractures, and wrongful death. Mr. Traut also represents clients pursuing legal malpractice claims. His dedication to protecting the rights of those who have been injured by the negligent or wrongful behavior of others has resulted in numerous settlements, arbitration awards, and trial verdicts in excess of $1 million.
In 1972, Mr. Traut obtained his bachelor's degree from the University of California at Los Angeles. He then went on to receive his Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University School of Law in 1976. Mr. Traut is certified by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification as a Civil Trial Lawyer as well as a Civil Pretrial Practice Lawyer. He is admitted to practice in California.
In recognition of his superb record and high ethical standards, Mr. Traut has been awarded the AV-Preeminent* rating by Martindale-Hubbell. He has also been named Trial Lawyer of the Year by both the American Board of Trial Advocates and the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association. He is also recognized as a "Best Lawyer" by U.S. News & World Report, as well as Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers.
Outside the courtroom, Mr. Traut furthers his legal advocacy skills through his association with several professional organizations. He is a member of the American Association for Justice, the Consumer Attorneys of California and the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles. Mr. Traut is also a member of the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association, the American Board of Trial Advocates and the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
*AV-Preeminent and BV-Distinguished are certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
Practice areas
Serious personal injury cases involving truck, auto, motorcycle, bike accidents and property owner negligence, involving brain and spinal injuries, severe fractures and wrongful death. Also, handles legal malpractice cases.
45 years
Legal Malpractice
Languages spoken
English, Spanish
Traut Firm
5 Hutton Centre Dr Ste 700
Santa Ana, CA, 92707-8783
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
CA | Active | 1978 | 06/20/2022 |
updated
A censure or reprimand issued by the Supreme Court or the State Bar Court that is not a matter of public record unless imposed after the initiation of formal disciplinary proceedings. No period of suspension is imposed. The reproval may be imposed with duties or conditions.
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
AV Preeminent Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2019 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers | 2019 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers | 2018 |
AV Preeminent Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2018 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2016 |
Preeminent 4.8 out of 5 | Martindale-Hubbell | 2016 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2016 |
Best Law Firms | U.S. News & World Reports | 2015 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2015 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2014 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2013 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2012 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2011 |
Trial Lawyer of the Year Award | American Board of Trial Advocates | 2009 |
Top Gun Trial Lawyer of the Year | Orange County Trial Lawyers Association | 2002 |
Board Certified | National Board of Trial Advocacy | 1999 |
Board Certified | National Board of Trial Advocacy | 1999 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Attorney | Traut Firm | 1978 - Present |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Robert A. Banyard American Inn of Court | Member | 2012 - Present |
Orange County Trial Lawyers Association | Member | 2004 - Present |
American Board of Trial Advocates, CAL-ABOTA | Associate Member | 2000 - Present |
Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles | Member | 1990 - Present |
Consumer Attorneys of California | Member | 1980 - Present |
American Trial Lawyers Association | Member | 1985 - 2010 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Pepperdine University School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1976 |
California State University, Los Angeles | N/A |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
College of Trial Advocacy | "Jury Selection" | 2013 |
College of Trial Advocacy | "Jury Selection" | 2010 |
ABOTA Seminar | "Opening Statements" | 2006 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Nunes v. Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc. | Settled for $9,000,000 |
Phillips v. Renovate Recycling Center | Settled for $1,000,000, the policy limit |
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April 19, 2022
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January 19, 2017
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