Joseph L. Trauth, Jr. Receives John L. Muething Lifetime Achievement in Law Award
Joseph L. (Joe) Trauth, Jr., a Senior Partner with the law firm of Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL (KMK Law®) received the John L. Muething Lifetime Achievement in Law Award from the Cincinnati Bar Foundation on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. The award, named after KMK Law’s Founding Partner, is presented for 50 years of exemplary service as a lawyer. The honoree must demonstrate the highest principles and traditions of the legal profession through his or her distinguished career.
Alan Fershtman, Managing Partner at KMK Law, stated, "Joe has exemplified the highest standards of our profession throughout his distinguished career. His dedication to the legal community, unwavering commitment to our clients, and extensive contributions to both the firm and the broader Cincinnati community reflect the very principles that the John L. Muething Lifetime Achievement in Law Award stands for. We are incredibly proud to have Joe as a member of our firm, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of attorneys at KMK Law and beyond."
Joe earned his B.S. from Xavier University in 1967, cum laude, and his J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1973. Joe joined KMK Law in 1973 and has been practicing law for more than 50 years. From 1967-1969, Joe served in the United States Peace Corps in Western Samoa as Assistant to the Director of Economic Development and from 1971-1973 served as an Assistant to United States Congressman W. J. Keating. Joe is a former Chairman of the Legislation Committee of the Cincinnati Bar Association (1980-1981) and Founding Trustee and a former Chairman (1987-1989) of the Volunteer Lawyers for the Poor Foundation (1987-1989). Joe also has served as a member of the Panel of Arbitrators of the American Arbitration Association.
Joe is recognized as one of the region’s leading attorneys in zoning, planning, and real estate law. He has achieved success in securing major rezoning for local and national clients, as well as obtaining significant real estate property tax reductions for major commercial properties in this region. Additionally, Joe has handled major eminent domain cases and construction law cases.
Joe has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 2007, has been named the "Cincinnati Best Lawyers’ Litigation - Land Use and Zoning Lawyer of the Year," 2013-2015, 2018, 2021, and has been named the "Cincinnati Best Lawyers' Litigation - Real Estate Law Lawyer of the Year," 2016. In addition, Joe has been named to Ohio Super Lawyers (2004-2019), and is AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
In addition to his devotion to his wife, his five children, fourteen grandchildren, and his legal profession, Joe dedicated countless hours to lead and support a variety of organizations in the community which serve others.
Joe has served on the Board of Directors for Citizens for Community Values, where he supports efforts to uphold and promote community values through legal means. As a member of the Hamilton County Republican Party's Judicial Selection Committee, Joe has played a key role in ensuring the fair and thorough selection of judicial candidates, reinforcing the integrity of the legal system. Additionally, his participation in the Knights of Columbus, Salve Regina Council, further highlights his dedication to service and community.
Joe has significantly contributed to the justice system through various roles, including as a founding trustee, board member, and former chairman of the Volunteer Lawyers for the Poor Foundation, where he played a key role in expanding legal assistance to those in need. His service on the governing board of the Cincinnati River City Correctional Center Facilities further demonstrates his commitment to improving correctional facilities and ensuring humane treatment within the system.
About Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
The law firm of Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL (KMK Law®), based in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a nationally-recognized law firm delivering sophisticated legal solutions to businesses of all sizes—from Fortune 50 corporations to start-up companies. KMK Law has achieved Mansfield Certification Plus status. KMK Law has been awarded a Top Workplaces honor by The Enquirer Media since 2012. Chambers USA: America’s Leading Business Lawyers® 2024 recognized KMK as a leading law firm in Ohio in Banking & Finance, General Commercial Litigation, and Real Estate and in Ohio: South Central in Corporate/Mergers & Acquisitions. KMK Law earned four National Rankings in Corporate Law, Land Use & Zoning Law, Project Finance Law and Venture Capital Law and 37 Metropolitan Rankings in the 2024 “Best Law Firms” Report. Founded in 1954, KMK has approximately 135 lawyers and a support staff of 120 employees. Additional information is available at www.kmklaw.com.
