Eric V. Traut is one of the top trial attorneys in Southern California. He distinguished himself early in his career as the youngest recipient of the Orange County Trial Lawyer Association's "Trial Lawyer of the Year" award in 2003, and received it again in 2023. Recently, he was selected by the nine chapters of Cal-ABOTA as their “Trial Lawyer of the Year”, 2024, which is the highest honor for a trial lawyer to receive in California. In his 34 years practicing law, Eric has successfully tried over 100 jury trials.
Eric’s reputation for civility, ethics, and fair play precedes him. Judges, arbitrators, and mediators alike have openly admired his integrity, compassion for his clients, impressive trial skills, and his gift of advocacy. Eric is held in the highest regard
Often handling unique, high-profile cases, Eric has the respect of his peers and the community in and out of the courtroom. Eric has earned interviews and appearances on Good Morning America, Fox News, Court T.V., ABC’s “Primetime” and CBS News.
Eric’s leadership skills have been sought after by numerous legal associations and charitable boards. He has served as President of five prestigious legal organizations in Orange County, including OCTLA, ABOTA, Project Youth – OCBF, Banyard Inn of Court, Italian American Lawyers of Orange County, and will be President of the 7000 member Orange County Bar Association in 2027.
Eric enjoys “Drafter” status within the ABOTA Foundation – the educational arm of ABOTA. This status is achieved when the member has donated $35,000 to the Foundation. Today, only four members out of 230 Orange County members have reached this level. In 2020, Eric was invited to become a member of the very exclusive International Society of Barristers. He is one of only 65 members in the entire state of California and one of only three members in Orange County who practices law in the areas of plaintiff personal injury and wrongful death.
Eric has received many awards and honors. In addition to being honored as Cal-ABOTA’s Trial Lawyer of the Year 2024, and the Trial Lawyer of the Year from the Orange County Chapter, 2019, Eric received the ABOTA-OC Joseph D. McNeil Civility Award in, 2017. In September 2023, Eric was honored as a recipient of the Anti-Defamation League’s 2023 Marcus M. Kaufman Jurisprudence Award. This highly notable award recognizes outstanding members of the legal profession who are role models of ethics and leadership in the legal community. Additionally, recipients embody the ADL’s mission to secure justice and fair treatment for all.
While Eric loves being a lawyer and changing the lives of his clients, he truly enjoys giving back to his colleagues and the community. As the Past President of Project Youth, Eric led a non-profit organization strengthening Orange County youth and families through unique, award-winning health and education programs. He continues to serve on the Executive Committee, donating many hours and thousands of dollars each year to help local youth.
Eric continues to give back to the legal community by volunteering to speak at countless seminars on litigation and trial skills, donating money to charities supported by law firms and legal organizations, and teaching law students about the importance of civility and professionalism in the practice of law.
When not practicing law, Eric enjoys traveling the world with his wife, Pam. He enjoys spending time with his three children, grandsons Vance and Calum, and granddaughter Holland.
