7/7/2025

As Delaware Law School marks the 50th anniversary of graduating its first class, Widener is celebrating the achievements of some of the school’s most distinguished alumni.

By Ryan Francis ’28 communication studies

Becoming a Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court isn’t a professional opportunity into which a person just stumbles. Gary F. Traynor, a class of 1982 Delaware Law School alumnus, knows this better than anyone.

Traynor’s storied legal career began with his time walking the paths around campus as a member of the class of 1982. Today, he holds a seat on the highest court in Delaware – a state renowned for its courts. And long before then-Gov. John Carney nominated him in July of 2017, or the Delaware Senate confirmed him, he chose Widener as his entre to the legal profession.

“Delaware Law School was the institution that gave me the opportunity to launch onto the path that I've stayed on through the years,” said Traynor, reflecting on his time as a student. “[It] provided me with an excellent opportunity to gain a grasp of how important law is in our society.”

Traynor chose Widener after completing his undergraduate degree at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. For him, law school offered the chance at an exciting career. It opened doors that would never have otherwise been unlocked. He credits the community of Delaware Law School, with its small class size, for giving him and his peers the ability to excel.

After receiving his law degree and passing the bar exam, Traynor moved back to his hometown of Dover, Delaware and began practicing law. In 1990, he joined Prickett, Jones & Elliott, a distinguished Delaware firm where he focused on general litigation including criminal defense, personal injury cases and domestic relations disputes. He eventually widened his scope of practice and transitioned to do corporate and commercial litigation. He worked his way up to managing director of the firm, a leadership position he held from 2005 to 2007.

Then, seeking change, he left the firm in 2014 to join the Delaware Office of Defense Services, where he served as an assistant public defender on major felony cases in Sussex County. It was from there that Carney tapped him for the Supreme Court.

The progression of Traynor’s career demonstrates his commitment to professionalism, and his courage in branching out to practice new areas of the law as he gained clout in a state where the legal profession is known for its high standards and civility. These varied practice experiences, his work ethic and outstanding reputation made him a judicial candidate with valuable knowledge in multiple areas of the law, for a court that handles all kinds of cases. The Delaware Supreme Court has final appellate jurisdiction in criminal cases in which sentences exceed specific minimums, in civil cases with final judgments, and for other appeals coming out of the Court of Chancery, the Superior Court and Family Court.

Traynor said even after gaining years of valuable experience and the wisdom that comes with it, he never could have imagined the heights to which his law degree would take him when he entered Delaware Law School.

“I think those who end up on the bench, and especially on a position on our court, would all agree that the stars sort of have to align for you. You know, right time, right place,” he said.

He feels quite fortunate they did for him, and for so many other Delaware Law School graduates he sees practicing law at the highest levels around the country in fulfilling careers.

“This is the best job in the world,” he said.