In Memoriam: Fritz Stradling

3.13.23

He was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison as an undergraduate and for law school. He spent the early parts of his career as a bond lawyer at O'Melveny & Myers and later at Rutan & Tucker.  However, his entrepreneurial spirit led him in 1978, together with Tom Clark and John Murphy, to join corporate partners Nick Yocca, Craig Carlson, Bill Rauth and K.C. Schaaf to form the law firm, Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth.

Before cell phones, desktop computers, email, and virtual meetings, Fritz traveled the highways and byways of California, helping cities, counties, and special districts issue tax exempt bonds which enabled the buildout of essential public infrastructure throughout developing portions of California. With a love of the frontier spirit, reflected in the Remington cowboy statues displayed in his office, Fritz helped form and served as General Counsel for several water districts that today serve large populations in Orange and Riverside Counties. He was a leader in the municipal bond community and was a frequent lecturer at many industry conferences. Known for his sprightly, humorous, calming manner, always with a focus on business objectives, Fritz was responsible for building many of the foundations of the firm Stradling is today.

Fritz is survived by Mary, his wife of 65 years, his daughters Sandra and Laurie, his son-in-law and his grandchildren.  He will be fondly remembered and sorely missed.