Cynthia Traina

Cynthia Lee Traina is a solo practitioner whose practice focuses on bankruptcy, commercial litigation, succession and estate planning, arbitration, and mediation. She is licensed to practice in Louisiana, including all federal district courts in the state, and is a member of the Federal Bar Association and the Jerry A. Brown American Inns of Court.

Ms. Traina earned her B.A., with a minor in paralegal studies, from LSU New Orleans; her M.A. from American Public University; and her J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. At Loyola, she participated in Moot Court and Trial Advocacy and served as Chair for Alternative Dispute Resolution. During her third year, she was a student practitioner in the Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic, handling criminal and child advocacy matters.

Her professional experience includes being appointed as a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee for the Eastern District of Louisiana, a certified mediator registered with the Louisiana State Bar Association, an arbitrator for FINRA, and a licensed investment and financial advisor.

Ms. Traina has taught paralegal and legal studies as an adjunct professor since June 1989. She is a former Tulane Faculty Fellow and in 2021 received Tulane's John Percy Dyer Award. She developed numerous course platforms and authored seminars on arbitration, mediation, bankruptcy, and legal technology. She regularly presents continuing legal education (CLE) seminars approved by the Louisiana State Bar Association, as well as legal technology sessions for the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE). In 2018, AAfPE elected her to a three-year term as its representative on the ABA’s Approval Commission Board and continues to participate in ABA site visits for approval and reapprovals of paralegal programs. She has also authored and co-authored legal textbooks on legal technology and law practice management published by Cengage.

Ms. Traina volunteers with a number of organizations. She has served CASA as an advocate and board president, the American Cancer Society as a board member, and Cabrini High School in New Orleans, her alma mater.

What advice would you give to someone who's considering finishing their degree or starting for the first time as an adult?
Don’t ever give up on your Dreams – it’s never too late!!

Without saying what the category is, what are your top five?
Cubs, Dodgers, Cardinals, Braves, and Athletics (As).