Biography

Carmen Trutanich grew up in the South Los Angeles town of San Pedro. He attended elementary and high school in San Pedro. From his youngest days, Carmen really does not recall being referred to as Carmen. In fact, coming from strong ethnic roots, and being one of three Carmens' in his household, from almost birth he received the nickname "Nuch". Nuch derives from Croatian/Italian heritage and literally translates to Junior. From his parents, teachers, coaches, ministers, and friends Carmen Trutanich was "Nuch" Trutanich.

 Carmen's parents are first generation Americans, following their respective parents, from Croatia for his father, Andy, who passed away eight years ago; and Ischia, a small island, the size of Catalina, off the western coast of Italy, for his mother Esther. Carmen's father from his high school years, worked as a laborer at Starkist FDS on Terminal Island, retiring as the General Manager of the Terminal Island Tuna Packaging Plant. His mother was a stay at home mom, who, with the help of his maternal grandparents raised seven children. His family has resided in the same location throughout his youth and high school. To this date, all but one of his siblings still resides in the Harbor Area.

After high school, Carmen attended the University of Southern California (USC). He graduated with a business administration degree with an emphasis in Accounting and Business Management. After receiving his degree, he applied again to USC, this time to obtain his Masters Degree in Business Administration, which he received in 1974. While finishing his MBA studies, he applied to StarKist FDS, to work in the Procurement Department. There he worked with his Uncle Nicholas, helping to procure tuna resources around the world. After he completed his MBA, Carmen enrolled in night school, at South Bay University College of Law to help him in his job at StarKist. He enjoyed the study and practice of law. Carmen graduated, passed the bar, opened a small practice in San Pedro, and was soon busy as could be. While attending law school and working at StarKist, from 1974 to approximately 1988, he still found time to teach part time. He taught Business Management, Business Law, Real Estate Law, and Supervision Management at Los Angeles Harbor and Marymount Junior Colleges. He possesses a Life Credential to teach college in California.

As a Deputy D.A., Carmen excelled.  He received numerous commendations from his superiors and was awarded a position in what was at the time, the coveted, newly federally funded, trial unit "the Hard Core Gang Division".  Carmen worked long and arduous hours for Los Angeles County.  He dedicated himself to becoming an accomplished trial attorney, handling gang murder, after gang murder.  As a Deputy D.A. trying cases was Carmen's passion.  When the new District Attorney was elected he recognized Carmen's skills as a, "tough prosecutor".  The newly elected District Attorney transferred him from the gang unit, to his new start up Signature Division, the Environmental Crimes/OSHA Division.  Carmen was the environmental unit's premier trial attorney at the time.  However, Carmen refused to be transferred from the Gang Unit unless he could take a Capital Gang Case with him, just in case there wasn't enough to do.  To this day, he is the only Deputy D.A. to receive a death verdict while assigned to the environmental crimes unit.

As an environmental prosecutor, Carmen tried the first felony environmental crime in the State of California and received a conviction on all counts.  He was also the first prosecutor to receive a conviction under the new felony law enacted in 1984, for Illegal Disposal of Hazardous Waste.  In the process Carmen, together with another Deputy D.A., drafted the 1st set of judicially approved jury instructions for an environmental crime prosecution.  Carmen flourished as an environmental crimes prosecutor, and as in the Hardcore Gang Unit, his reputation as an accomplished trial attorney grew.

During his days as a Deputy District Attorney, Carmen enjoyed representing the people of the State of California.  He considered it a privilege to be the peoples' attorney.  He gave numerous lectures and talks on behalf of the District Attorney's office; and also became an active member of his community.  In 1982 his third child Kimberly was born.  Having three children and coming from a strong sports background in high school and college, Carmen volunteered to become the regional commissioner for AYSO Soccer and served his community with pride.  He lobbied for free fields for AYSO, and established a due process procedure for red cards, which is still used today within his old region.  Sports has permeated Carmen's life as he has run over 20 full 26 mile marathons, and more 10K's, 15K's, and marathons than he can count.  He believes athletics is a great method to teach goal achievement.

In 1998, Carmen left the firm he helped found and formed Trutanich-Michel, LLP with his office suitemate, C. D. "Chuck" Michel.  Although their practice areas are unrelated and greatly diverse, Carmen has continued to focus on his area of expertise, environmental litigation.

There is no other candidate in this race that has the legal experience, the trial practice and management skills possessed by Carmen "Nuch" Trutanich.  To this day if asked by someone, what is his greatest accomplishment, Carmen proudly responds, "My family". And if asked what is next, Carmen proudly points to the 20-years of payroll, two times a month, never missed for his staff of lawyers and support.  Over 50 families who put their trust in him to deliver and he has never failed them, as he will never fail the citizens of Los Angeles.