Menu

Close

See All Judicial Nominees

Daniel Traynor

Nominated Trump 2.0

Nominated to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

  • AFJ Opposes
  • Court Circuit Court
  • Date Nominated

On May 11, 2026, President Trump nominated Daniel Traynor to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Biography

Born in 1970 in Devils Lake, ND, Traynor eventually received degrees from the University of North Dakota, including a B.S. in 1994 and a J.D. in 1997.

Prior to this, he attended Lake Region State College from 1986 to 1988, followed by the University of North Dakota from 1988 to 1992 and the University of Mary in 1993, all without obtaining degrees.

Legal Experience

After graduation from law school, Traynor clerked for the Chief Justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court for one year. In 1998, he returned to his hometown of Devils Lake, North Dakota, to practice with Traynor, Rutten & Traynor. He handled prosecutions for the City of Devils Lake and various other civil matters. The first five or eight years of practice included criminal prosecutions in municipal and state district court, family law matters, and other civil claims.

In 2005, his practice became nearly entirely focused on civil litigation in personal injury matters, where he represented both plaintiffs and defendants. He also handled matters before the U.S. Department of Labor and some state boards and commissions. During the oil boom, and for several years following, I handled the defense of several significant personal injury matters as either insurance defense counsel or privately retained counsel. He was confirmed as a U.S. District Judge for the District of North Dakota in 2020.

Key Facts and Context 

Associations

  • Member, National Conference of Lawyer Disciplinary Boards (2014-2015)
  • Member, North Dakota Supreme Court Disciplinary Board (2010-2015)
  • Member, North Dakota Economic Development Foundation (2007-2015, Chairman 2010-2012)
  • Member, Board of Directors, Lake Region Community College Foundation of Devils Lake, North Dakota (2004-2009)
  • Board Member, North Dakota Catholic Conference (1999-2001)

Political Roles

  • Member, North Dakota State Board of Higher Education (2018 -2020)
  • State Chairman, North Dakota Republican Party (2001-2003)
  • District Chairman, District 15, North Dakota Republican Party (1998 -2001)
  • Chair, North Dakota Chapter, Republican National Lawyers Association
  • Member, Finance Committee for Kevin Cramer’s 2012 US House of Representatives campaign
  • Member, North Dakota State Board of Higher Education