Born and raised in Louisiana, Ms. Bankston graduated with honors from the Community College of Southern Nevada in 1995, with honors from UNLV in 1997, and in the top half of her class at LSU Law School in 2003. While at LSU Law School, Ms. Bankston was listed on the Chancellor’s List, a member of the Legal Association of Women and the Christian Legal Society, worked as a research assistant to Professor Susan Kalinka, and volunteered her time with the LSU Tax Assistant Program.
After law school, Ms. Bankston began her legal career as a judicial law clerk at the East Baton Rouge Parish 19th Judicial District Court for the Honorable Judge Kay Bates and the Honorable Judge Jewel “Duke” Welch. Working as a judicial law clerk, she gained invaluable experience with the Local Rules of Court and the inner workings of the district court and appellate courts.
Ms. Bankston has extensive litigation experience. In addition to her experience in the courtroom, she has writ and appellate experience at the Circuit Courts of Appeal. Ms. Bankston has also represented clients in arbitration.
Ms. Bankston's legal practice includes experience in commercial matters, all forms of legal representation services to the construction industry, appellate practice, general business litigation and insurance defense. Ms. Bankston serves as general counsel for several state agencies.
After being nominated for membership in 2005, Ms. Bankston has been an active member of the Dean Henry George American Inns of Court and currently serves on the Executive Committee. This centuries old organization was founded for attorneys and Judges to improve the skill and professionalism of members of the Bar. She is also active in the Baton Rouge Association of Women Attorneys, in which she served two terms as Secretary and served as President in 2006-2007. As part of this Association, Ms. Bankston has been invited to coordinate, implement and participate as a guest speaker at LSU Law School program for women attorneys.
Ms. Bankston has also provided pro-bono work for both the Baton Rouge Public Defender’s Office and the Baton Rouge Bar Association and participates yearly in the Baton Rouge Bar Association annual holiday project for under privileged youth in the community.
Ms. Bankston and her husband are active in their church, the Eastern Louisiana Baptist Association and Compassion International.
