LOS ANGELES, CA.- The international auction house Bonhams has appointed Joe Baratta as Senior Vice- President, Head of Trusts & Estates for the West Coast, effective immediately. As the largest auction house in California, Baratta will support the region’s expansive market and pursue new areas of opportunity.

With years of experience in the area, and a licensed appraiser and auctioneer, Baratta has become a leading authority on topics including estate planning around tangible personal property speaking at major conferences, both nationally and locally. Before joining Bonhams, Baratta spent 20 years at Abell Auctions as Senior Vice President, Business Development & Valuations, where he brought to market numerous private collections and multi-million-dollar estate sales including David Copley, Sam Simon, Ed Limato, Gore Vidal, Robert & Lois Erburu, Estate of Douglas & Eunice Goodan, Penny Marshall, Carol Channing, and Don Rickles.

Baratta brings a strong reputation across the West Coast, matching him well to Bonhams’ values that emphasize a high-level of respect and dependability in its services. In the role, Baratta will be responsible for liaising with professional fiduciaries, attorneys, CPAs, trust officers, and providing advisement on the appraisal and sale of their clients’ estate collections ranging from fine art and jewelry to collectible motor cars.

“Joe is a great fit for Bonhams and the team out on the West Coast,” commented Bonhams Chairman for North America, Leslie Wright, “he offers a strong combination of hands-on and strategic experience acquired over many years and it is apparent the high level of respect he provides his clients and peers.”

Joe Baratta said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Bonhams, which has a stellar reputation internationally as well as regionally. I feel strongly aligned with Bonhams and excited for the opportunity to bring greater successes to the future and strengthen Bonhams’ reach on the West Coast.”

Baratta is a a member of several professional, museum, and philanthropic organizations including The Los Angeles Estate Planning Council (board member), The Beverly Hills Estate Planning Council, The South Bay Estate Planning Council, The Estate Planning Council of the San Gabriel Valley, The Huntington Library, Museum & Botanical Gardens Advancement Committee, The McMullen Museum at Boston College Patrons’ Committee, Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters (board member), Jonathan Club Membership Committee, and past Chair of the Jonathan Art Foundation Collection’s Committee (currently an advisor).

A native Angeleno, Joe earned a BA in Art History from Boston College.

Baratta joins the ranks of other strategic hires announced in recent months, including André Bodson as Chief Transformation Officer.