As a government relations advisor, Trafton is skilled at building bridges between clients and local, state, and federal governments. He regularly assists businesses, associations, and governmental entities with government advocacy at all stages.

Trafton specializes in state lobbying and advises clients of the firm on a wide range of matters involving the North Carolina General Assembly and state agencies, including boards and commissions within the Executive Branch.

Prior to joining Ward and Smith, Trafton served as a Policy Advisor to North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore, primarily focusing on agriculture, energy, environmental, and state regulatory issues. He has overseen the development and passage of multiple state budgets, as well as groundbreaking energy legislation throughout his time at the General Assembly. Additionally, Trafton has been an active participant and successfully led negotiations on complex topics such as environmental regulation within the agriculture sector, emerging contaminants such as PFAS, and flood resiliency and mitigation on the North Carolina coast.

A Raleigh native, Eagle Scout, and first-generation college student, Trafton is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys spending time from the mountains to the beaches of North Carolina.