Attorneys

Laurie A. Traktman

Voice: (323) 938-3000 x340
Fax: (323) 937-9139

Experience

Laurie has been a member of the firm of Gilbert & Sackman since 1993. Laurie focuses on trust fund ERISA issues, and is a recognized expert in the areas of compliance. She works closely with management and labor trustees on multiemployer trust funds in the union construction and entertainment industries. She also has been an innovator in enforcing lien rights and in areas involving ERISA preemption, prevailing at the end of 2003 in the California Supreme Court case, Betancourt v. Storke Housing Investors (Cal. Sup. Ct. 2003). In addition, Laurie has considerable experience litigating fiduciary, bankruptcy and post-judgment issues, and manages all aspects of the review and approval process of QDROs, and facilitates Health Plan reimbursement for monies paid for prescription drugs that are the subject of class-action litigation.

Laurie clerked for the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in Costa Rica for approximately two years. There, she drafted proposed legislation to introduce a corollary Title VII addendum to the country's constitution.

Education

University of Southern California Law School, (J.D., May 1991)
Barnard College of Columbia University, (B.A. 1986.; Post Baccalaureate May 1987 in Art and Literature

Memberships

National Lawyers' Guild, Vice-President
California State Bar
California State Bar Labor and Employment Section
Los Angeles County Bar Association Labor and Employment Section.
Southern California Association of Benefit Plan Administrators
International Foundation of the Employee Benefit Plans
Northeast Democratic Club
Northeast Progressive Alliance
Jewish Labor Committee
National Lawyers’ Guild Labor & Employment Committee

Community Activities

Since 1993, Laurie has produced a weekly radio show called The Lawyers' Guild Hour on Pacifica public radio, KPFK (90.7 FM) and affiliates every Thursday from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time. The show is hosted by Jim Lafferty, the Executive Director of the National Lawyers Guild, and addresses current political, labor, environmental and economic issues. It is broadcast live in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties.