Email Mike Traynor
Overview
Michael Traynor, senior counsel, received his B.A. in Economics from the University of California (1955) and his J.D. from Harvard Law School (1960). He holds an honorary LL.D. from the University of South Carolina. Although semi-retired, he participates occasionally in counseling and briefs on various issues including restitution and remedies, the conflict of laws, and the First Amendment. He also contributes to professional publications.
Michael is President Emeritus of the American Law Institute and recipient of its Distinguished Service Award. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, the California Academy of Appellate Lawyers, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and is a past president of the Bar Association of San Francisco.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit honored him with its John P. Frank Award, which recognizes a lawyer who has “demonstrated outstanding character and integrity; dedication to the rule of law; proficiency as a trial and appellate lawyer; success in promoting collegiality among members of the bench and bar; and a lifetime of service to the federal courts of the Ninth Circuit.”
Michael is an honorary life trustee of Earthjustice and currently serves on its Council as well as on the Environmental Law Institute's Leadership Council and the advisory boards of Sustainable Conservation and the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Areas of Speciality
- Appellate Litigation
- The First Amendment
- Restitution and Remedies
- The Conflict of Laws
Education
- University of California, B.A. (Economics), 1955
- Harvard Law School, J.D., 1960
Memberships & Affiliations
- President Emeritus of the American Law Institute
- Past President of the Bar Association of San Francisco
Recognition
- Honorary LL.D., University of South Carolina
- Distinguished Service Award, American Law Institute
- Fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences
- Fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers
- Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
- John P. Frank Award, The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Our People
Tsan Abrahamson | Marc Roth | Michael Traynor | Angelique Tremble | Chris Civil | Matthew Passmore | Norma Black | Noemi Zieman