ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT


The Honorable Gary F. Traynor

Former Delaware Journal of Corporate Law Staff Editor, The Honorable Gary F. Traynor, gives us some insight into his experience during law school and his career today.

  1. What was your position on Journal?

Staff.

  1. Where did you receive your undergraduate degree and what area did you study?

Dartmouth College—History major

  1. Where do you currently work?

Delaware Supreme Court.

  1. In what area of law do you practice?

Not applicable.

  1. What advice would you give to law students that you wish you had known in law school?

Do all that you can to gain an understanding of how the legal profession is structured (law firm, public service, in-house counsel, academia, etc.; “Big Law” or niche firm; urban area or small town) so that you can launch your career in the right direction. Decide what type of practice is most conducive to the life you wish to live. I would also urge you to develop expertise in the non-legal subject matter most relevant to the practice area you choose. For instance, if you hope to litigate corporate and commercial cases, you should have a firm grasp of corporate finance and basic accounting principles. If you are drawn to personal-injury or medical-malpractice litigation, study human anatomy and the like.

  1. Aside from excelling academically and joining the Journal, what are some ways that students can stand out to secure job offers?

When you send your resumé and transcripts to a prospective employer, personalize your cover letter, stating why the employer to whom it is addressed is of particular interest to you and describing how your skills will be valuable to the employer. Have someone proofread all of your submissions; typos and grammatical errors will kill your chances.

  1. What are some lessons that you have learned during your professional career that will be valuable to current Journal members and recent Journal alumni?

You cannot attend to details too carefully. Edit written work product relentlessly.

  1. What are your future plans?

I am hopeful that I will serve the entirety of my current term, which ends in 2029. In the meantime, I will strive to improve the quality of our Court’s decisions and my written opinions. I also have an interest in teaching.

  1. Outside of law, what are your interests?

Reading (preferably on the beach), golf (a recently renewed interest after a decades-long hiatus).