DJ profiles 1/1's Kathy Banke

Kathleen Banke of the 1st District Court of Appeal is a strong believer in a good oral argument.
That's the title of today's DJ profile of 1/1's Justice Banke, who formerly was "head of the national appellate practice at Reed Smith LLP and [a] longtime appellate practitioner at predecessor firm Crosby, Heafey, Roach & May PC." "Kathy's experience as a lawyer at the appellate court level made her a natural to serve on the court of appeal," said Joe Mascovich, who formerly worked at Crosby with Banke. "There was never any question in my mind that she would excel." "I think being an appellate lawyer made her a very effective justice," Paul Fogel added.

"On what makes for an effective oral argument, Banke said the practitioner should be reasoned, clear, focused and prepared." "Briefs submitted to the court should be concise, thorough and fair, she said."

"There is an impression that oral argument is utterly meaningless
in the state of California," Banke said. "That is not true."