James R. Traut

Practice areas

Personal Injury – General: Plaintiff, Professional Liability: Plaintiff

Focus areas

Brain Injury, Legal Malpractice, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury – Plaintiff, Premises Liability – Plaintiff, Slip and Fall, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death

James R. Traut is the founding partner of the Traut Firm, a Santa Ana, California-based legal practice specializing in cases related to legal malpractice and personal injury. His practice is exclusively focused on litigation and is dedicated to assisting plaintiffs in Southern California who are dealing with severe personal injury claims stemming from various motor vehicle accidents, such as truck, automobile, motorcycle, and bicycle accidents, as well as cases involving traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death, and premises liability. These cases often entail serious injuries like brain and spinal injuries, severe fractures, and wrongful death. Mr. Traut also represents clients pursuing legal malpractice allegations. His unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights of individuals harmed by others’ negligent or wrongful conduct has led to numerous settlements, arbitration awards, and trial verdicts exceeding $1 million.

In 1972, Mr. Traut earned his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Los Angeles. Subsequently, in 1976, he obtained his Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University School of Law. Mr. Traut holds certifications from the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification as both a Civil Trial Lawyer and a Civil Pretrial Practice Lawyer. He is licensed to practice law in California.

Acknowledging his exceptional track record and strong ethical principles, Mr. Traut has earned the AV-Preeminent* rating from Martindale-Hubbell. He has also been honored as Trial Lawyer of the Year by both the American Board of Trial Advocates and the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association. He is additionally recognized as a “Best Lawyer” by U.S. News & World Report and as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers.

Beyond his courtroom work, Mr. Traut enhances his legal advocacy skills through his involvement with various professional organizations. He is an active member of the American Association for Justice, the Consumer Attorneys of California, and the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles. Mr. Traut is also affiliated with 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 facilitates a peer review rating process, with ratings reflecting the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the judiciary. These ratings encompass legal ability and general ethical standards.