Joe Baratta is SVP, Head of Trusts & Estates, West Coast at Bonhams based in the Los Angeles office. Joe works closely with an extensive network of professional fiduciaries, trust officers, attorneys, and client advisors on estate collections ranging from fine art and jewellery to collectible motor cars.

Before joining Bonhams in 2022, Joe spent 20 years at Abell Auction Co. in Los Angeles, where he most recently served as SVP of Business Development & Valuations. Joe was responsible for bringing to market many important collections including the estates of David Copley, Sam Simon, Ed Limato, Gore Vidal, Robert & Lois Erburu, Douglas & Eunice Goodan, Penny Marshall, Carol Channing, and Don Rickles.

Joe is a regular speaker on the topic of estate planning around tangible personal property to trust departments and local organisation. Recently, he presented to The Los Angeles Estate Planning Council, The Hawaii Tax Institute, the ASA National Conference, and The Los Angeles Council of Charitable Gift Planners. He is a member of several professional, museum, and philanthropic organisations 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.