Judge Harold R. Banke

---

Harold R. Banke was born in Pilot Point, Texas on August 8, 1916. Following service as an officer in the U.S. Army during World War II, he settled in Clayton County, Georgia. Judge Banke graduated cum laude from John Marshall Law School in 1951, and commenced the practice of law. He served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the State of Georgia, and as Clayton County Attorney, and as Solicitor General of the Clayton Judicial Circuit. In 1961, he was elected Judge of the Clayton Circuit Superior Court and served as Chief Judge from 1962 to 1977.

In 1977, Governor George Busbee appointed Judge Banke to the Georgia Court of Appeals. He served as Chief Justice of the Appellate Court from 1985 through 1986 and as Presiding Appellate Judge from 1987 until his retirement in 1991.

Following his retirement, Judge Banke was appointed Senior Appellate Court Judge by Governor Zell Miller and served in that capacity until July 1, 1999.

Judge Banke's leadership included service as President of the Clayton County Bar Association; President of the Council of Superior Court Judges; Member of the Board of Governors of the Georgia Bar Association; and Member of the Board of Trustees of John Marshall Law School.