Afternoon Tea for Pamela and Eric at Rose Tree Cottage

Pamela and Eric had an extraordinary afternoon of Afternoon Tea in the rose garden at Rose Tree Cottage in Pasadena. Proprietors and Anglophiles Mary and Edmund Fry are former clients and current friends. Eric and Pamela enjoyed the full Silver Service Tea, which included a proper cuppa, scones, homemade preserves, finger sandwiches, and English-inspired savories like Beef Wellington and Toad-in-the-Hole. Afternoon Tea was fit for a British King! But, there is more to the story. For Mary and Edmund Fry, Rose Tree Cottage is the engine that drives their other passion - BLOOM WHERE PLANTED (BWP) - a 501(c)(3) Public Charity.

While on safari over 20 years ago, Mary and Edmund visited a Primary School in Kenya. Despite being greeted with the singing and dancing of happy children, the couple had concerns for their learning environment. BLOOM WHERE PLANTED was born!

The mission of BWP is "to enhance the lives of children and further education in Kenya by providing books, improved learning environments, and secondary school sponsorships. By educating girls and boys, BWP hopes to help them 'Bloom where they are planted' - to prosper and be good citizens in their own countries, promoting peace and goodwill in the world." (Source: BWP)



To learn more about BWP, click here.  

To learn more about and visit Rose Garden Cottage, click here. 

Project Youth-OC's Toy Drive Benefited Many

HO! HO! HO! In December, Traut Firm, OC-ABOTA, and The Italian American Lawyers of Orange County (Lex Romana) collected toys and other presents, for a toy drive sponsored by Project Youth OCBF. Many supporters and friends of Project Youth OCBF helped brighten the Holiday for over 500 youth and their families. Even Santa was impressed!

Congratulations 2024 Presidents & Franklin G. West Award Honoree

On January 18, 2024, Eric, Pamela, and Connor will attend the Orange County Bar Association's (OCBA) Judges' Night & Annual Meeting held at the Marriott- Irvine. The night will celebrate the installation of Christina M. Zabat-Fran, Esq. as 2024 OCBA's President and Michael A. Gregg as the 2024 OCBA's Charitable Fund President. Eric will be sworn in as Secretary on his way to be President in 2027. Additionally, the evening will include the presentation of the OCBA's highest honor, The Franklin G. West Award. This honor is bestowed annually to outstanding attorneys and judges whose lifetime achievements have advanced justice and the law. The 2024 recipient is Nikki Presley Miliband. Congratulations to all.

For more information about the award and attending the event, click here.

Pamela To Take Lead at OC-ABOTA

While visiting the William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum in Arkansas, Pamela had the opportunity to test the waters by sitting at the Resolute desk in anticipation of her upcoming role as the President of OC-ABOTA. On Saturday, January 20, 2024, OC-ABOTA will hold its Annual Installation Dinner Gala, in which Pamela and others will advance their leadership roles. To be held at Marconi Auto Museum,1302 Industrial Drive in Tustin, the night of cocktails and dinner will include the installation of Pamela as President, Juan Delgado as President-Elect, Jennifer Russell as Secretary, Deborah Tropp-Thompson as Treasurer, Keith More as Membership Chair, and Kim Valentine-Gibson as Member-at-Large. The evening will also honor Douglas D. Guy with the Trial Lawyer of the Year Award, Brian W. Easton with the Joseph D. McNeil Civility Award, Seymour "Sy" Everett, lll with the Volunteer of the Year Award, and Mark P. Robinson, Jr. with the Lifetime Achievement Award.



Like the national organization, OC-ABOTA's mission "is to foster improvement in the ethical and technical standards of practice in the field of advocacy in order to assure that individual litigants may receive more effective representation and that the general public can benefit by more efficient administration of justice consistent with time-tested and traditional principles of litigation." (source: OC-ABOTA)



To learn more about OC-ABOTA, click here.

Eric's Family Joins TOP GUN Celebration

To celebrate Eric's recognition as the OCTLA Personal Injury TOP GUN Trial Lawyer for 2023, his family and friends joined him at the November 11, 2023 event. Eric's family, including his children and their spouses/partners, raised a glass to Dad for his many accomplishments. It was a momentous celebration. Says Eric, "I am honored to be one of the 2023 TOP GUN Lawyers of The Year. To have my family celebrating with me is an even bigger honor."

Employee Profile: Judy Gilbaugh

Judy Gilbaugh is the Medical Records Clerk for Traut Firm. Her responsibilities include obtaining all relevant records and bills, preparing an itemized list of economic damages on behalf of the clients and staying on top o any client updates and changes.



Before coming to the Traut Firm, Judy had quite an interesting and diverse employment history. She has worked as an ambulance dispatcher, a customer service representative at John Wayne Airport, and as a personal secretary at a caregiving facility.



Judy’s hobbies include growing Plumeria plants (she has 5 different colors), bird watching, stargazing, traveling to numerous European countries, and caring for her own exotic animals. Judy enjoys countless outdoor activities, including swimming, hiking, and kayaking. 



While some may consider it unusual, Judy owns six mermaid tails. She enjoys swimming in costume to see the reaction of the stunned kids and their parents as she propels herself through the water. Imagine your own look of surprise if you were to witness this.



For many years, Judy has volunteered her time for “Cloud 9" feeding the homeless in Los Angeles. She also volunteers at the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro. Judy is active in the women’s ministry of her church and is a violinist in the church’s orchestra. Judy is incredibly upbeat and enthusiastic. Each of us at the Traut Firm is fortunate to work by her side.

2023 is a Halloween for the Record Books

Halloween 2023 did not disappoint! Jack Sparrow beware! Dressed as a one-eyed pirate, grandson Vance had a big candy haul and perfected his "Aaaarrrrgggghhhh". Little Stinker, a.k.a. Baby Holland, looked adorable but didn't quite understand all the fuss. FYI - Her Snickers bars are still up for grabs. Topping off the fun, Traut Firm participated in Griffen Towers Annual Halloween Event. This year's pumpkin carving contest had 3 winners: Acuity Advisors, Law Office of Louis Piscopo, and Traut Firm. Traut Firm's entry, 

carved by Morgan Traut Denos, was voted MOST FUNNY pumpkin depicting a creative take on life camp side. Great job, Morgan!                                         

Happy Anniversary Pamela and Eric

On November 10, 2023, Eric and Pamela celebrated 5 years of marriage. Happy Anniversary! 

ABOTA Goes Hawaiian

In November, Eric and Pamela set off with CAL-ABOTA for the 2023 HAWAII Conference held at Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu’s North Shore. The 5-night conference included educational programs, speakers, and networking. But, don't worry! It wasn't all work. The trip allowed time to relax, catch up with old friends, and explore. Says Pamela, "I have always wanted to hike Diamond Head and we did!" There were endless ocean views and even a trip to President Obama's favorite shaved ice spot, Island Snow. Pamela adds, "We always enjoy this week away."

Eric and Pamela Support the Arts

In October, Eric and Pamela attended an art opening at Signature Gallery in Laguna Beach, CA. The event featured well-respected fine artist, Jenny Simon, as she celebrated 15 years of the gallery's representation (and National Dessert Day). The art opening was well attended and included an opportunity to meet the artist, see her new work, and purchase her new book. To learn more about Jenny Simon Fine Art, click here: click here.



Pictured left to right are Eric Traut and Jenny Simon, artist. 

It's a WRAP and a BIG THANK YOU!

Brian Burke Farrell, Hon. Glenda Sanders (Ret.) and Eric were honored at the Jurisprudence Awards Dinner on September 21, 2023. The annual event raised $250,000, which will go towards helping the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) continue its important work to fight hate for good. To learn more about the ADL, click here. 

Pictured left to right is Eric Traut, Hon. Glenda Sanders (Ret.), and Brian Burke Farrell

ERIC to Join Board of Public Law Center

In late October 2023, Eric received a congratulatory email from Monica Eav Glicken, Executive Director and General Counsel of Public Law Center (PLC). Glicken informed Eric that the PLC Board had voted unanimously to approve his appointment as a Board Member for a 4-year term beginning January 1, 2024. Located in Santa Ana, CA, Public Law Center is a pro bono law firm committed to providing access to justice for low-income and vulnerable residents. Says Eric, "I look forward to adding to the great work being accomplished by PLC." To learn more about Public Law Center, click here.