Trope & Trope

Sorrell Trope

Sorrell Trope possesses more than 60 years of legal experience, and co-founded Trope and Trope in 1949.  Mr. Trope practices exclusively in the area of family law, and is recognized as one of the preeminent family law attorneys in the United States.  He is certified as a Specialist in Family Law by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, and his reputation in the Southern California legal community has earned him Martindale-Hubbell's prestigious "AV" rating, which signifies the highest level of professional excellence and ethical standards.  Mr. Trope is frequently invited to lecture and participate in panels related to family law matters nationwide, and he has authored and co-authored several publications regarding family law and trial advocacy.

In addition to his commitment to family law and providing exceptional legal representation to the firm's clients, Mr. Trope is committed to participating in the community.  Community Involvement is at the heart of Trope and Trope's philosophy, and Mr. Trope has received several awards and honors for his contributions to the Southern California community.

Admissions

• California
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
• U.S. Board of Immigration Appeals
• U.S. Supreme Court
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit

Education

• J.D., University of Southern California Law School
• A.B., University of Southern California

Memberships and Professional Associations

• Los Angeles County Bar Association (Member, Executive Committee, Family Law Section)
• American Bar Association
• Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
• Fellow, International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
• Judge Pro Tem, Los Angeles Superior Court, 1970-1972
• Chairperson, Southern California Committee Family Law Commission of State Senate Judicial Committee, 1983
• Member, State Assembly Family Law Advisory Committee, 1984

Awards and Honors

• Los Angeles County Bar Spencer Brandeis Award for outstanding contribution to the practice of family law, 1998
• Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law Ramsey Award for commitment to justice for all people, 1998

Publications

• Author, "Preparing for Trial and Trials," California Marital Disso. Practice, 1983
• Author, "California Family Law Trial Technique," LA County Family Law Bar Symposium, 1984-1989
• Author, "Preparing for Trial and Trials," California Marital Dissolve Practice, 1983
• Co-Author, "Initial Order to Show Cause," 1991-2000 Family Law Reference Book, LA County Family Law Bar
• Co-Author, Selected Topics in Divorce and Real Estate (Chapter 18, from proceedings of the University of Southern California Law Center 47th Annual Institute on Federal Taxation).

Teaching Experience

• Adjunct Professor of Law, University of Southern California School of Law.
• Instructor, Family Law Litigation, University of Southern California, 1989
• Instructor, Advanced Family Law Program, Pepperdine University School of Law, 1983-1984
• Instructor, Advanced Domestic Relations Practice, University of Southern California Law School, March, 1982
• The Masters Series, Advanced Family Law, Pepperdine School of Law, 1983, Banff, Canada
• The Masters Series, Advanced Family Law, Pepperdine University School of Law, 1984, London, England
• Dividing Property on Dissolution of Marriage, University of California Continuing Education of the Bar, August, 1980
• Family Law Litigation, University of California Continuing Education of the Bar, November, 1981
• Family Law Litigation, University of California Continuing Education of the Bar, January, 1986
• University of Southern California School of Law, Settlement Litigation and Family Law, Spring Semester, 1989

Lectures

• Continuing Education of the Bar, Legal Seminars, University of California, 1970-
• Family Law, The Rutter Group
• Family Law Litigation, University of California Continuing Education of the Bar, January, 1986
• University of Southern California School of Law, Advanced Professional Program, The Management and Marketing of a Family Practice, Fall Semester, 1991
• University of Southern California School of Law, The High Asset Celebrity Divorce, Spring Semester, 1989
• University of Southern California Family Law Institute-The Ethical Limits of Advocacy, June, 1993
• Beverly Hills Bar Association Family Law Symposium-Cash Available and Unreported or Hidden Assets, November, 1992
• University of Southern California Family Law Institute-The Ethics of Running a Law Practice, September, 1994
• University of Southern California School of Law-The Management and Marketing of a Family Law Practice, April, 1994
• Ethics of Custody Litigation, University of Southern California Family Law Institute, 1995
• The Ethics of Presenting Evidence in Family Law Cases, University of Southern California Family Law Institute, 2001
• Fourth Annual Family Law Ethics Institute-Ethical Issues Unique to Family Law, 1997
• Fifth Annual Family Law Ethics Institute-The Ethics of Settlement, 1998
• Divorce Trial By the Masters, University of Southern California Law Center Continuing Legal Education Program, 1995
• The Management and Marketing of a Law Practice to Financial Success, University of Southern California Law School, 2001

Panels

• Family Law Litigation and Enforcement of Orders, University of California Continuing Education of the Bar, January, 1984
• Los Angeles County Bar Family Law Symposium, May, 1981, May 1982, April, 1983Los Angeles County Bar Family Law Symposium, Fiduciary Obligations, Disclosure and Set Asides, 1995
• Evidentiary Problems in Family Law Trial Tactics and Techniques, Beverly Hills Bar Association and University of Southern California Family Law Symposium, October, 1983
• Dividing Property on Dissolution of Marriage, University of California Continuing Education of the Bar, February, 1983
• Family Law Practice-Major 1984 Legislation, The Rutter Group, Los Angeles County Bar, April, 1984
• The Rutter Group- Los Angeles County Bar Family Law Workshop, November, 1983
• The Rutter Group- Los Angeles County Bar Family Law Workshop, December, 1984; Los Angeles County Bar Family Law Symposium-Goodwill, Retirement Plans, Family Residence, May, 1981
• Los Angeles County Bar Family Law Symposium-Tax Considerations, May. 1982
• The Rutter Group, Los Angeles County Bar Family Law Workshop, November, 1985
• Los Angeles County Bar Family Law Symposium Special Issues, May, 1984
• Los Angeles County Bar Family Law Symposium, Presentation of Post-Judgment Order to Show Cause for Modification of Spousal and Child Support, April, 1989
• University of California Continuing Education of the Bar, Dividing Property on Dissolution of Marriage, October, 1994
• University of Southern California 47th Annual Institute on Federal Taxation, 1995
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers-Lawyer to Lawyer Ethical Responsibility of Academy Fellows, 2001
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Fourth Annual Institute of Trial Advocacy: Ethical Issues Unique to Family Law Cases, 1997
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Institute of Trial Advocacy-Litigating Complex Family Law Issues, 1999

Reported Cases

• Sokolow v. City of Hope, 41 Cal.2d 556 (1953)
• Arsenian v. Meketarian, 138 Cal.App.2d 627 (1956)
• Wunch v. Wunch, 184 Cal.App.2d 527 (1960)
• Rheuban v. Rheuban, 238 Cal.App.2d 552, (1965)
• Buck v. Superior Court of Orange, 232 Cal.App.2d 153 (1965)
• Buck v. Superior Court of Ventura, 245 Cal.App.2d 431 (1966)
• Escrow Owners v. Taft Allen, Inc., 252 Cal.App.2d 506 (1967)
• People v. Superior Court, 3 Cal.App.3d 648 (1970)
• Care Construction v. Century Convalescent Centers, 54 Cal.App.3d 701 (1976)
• Marriage of Keeva, 66 Cal.App.3d 512 (1977)
• Marriage of Clark, 80 Cal.App.3d 417 (1978)
• Marriage of Marx, 97 Cal.App.3d 552 (1979)
• Marriage of Marx, 92 Cal.App.3d 984 (1979)
• Marriage of Koppleman, 159 Cal.App.3d 627 (1984)
• Marriage of Garrity/Bishton, 181 Cal.App.3d 675 (1986)
• Marriage of Segal, 179 Cal.App.3d 602 (1986)
• Marriage of Segal, 177 Cal.App.3d 1030 (1986)
• Marriage of Okum, 195 Cal.App.3d 176 (1987)
• Marriage of Dick, 15 Cal.App.4th 144 (1993)
• Estevez v. Superior Court, 22 Cal.App.4th 423 (1994)