Hon. Patricia D. Benke

Date of Birth: April 15, 1949

Name of Spouse: Don Benke

First names and ages of children: Michael 36      Peter 34

Law School and dates attended: University of San Diego School of Law 1971 - 1974

Area of Practice: Judicial /Appellate

Law employment history/ Judicial History:

1974 - 1983      Deputy Attorney General State of California, Criminal Division
1983 - 1985      Judge, San Diego Municipal Court
1985   - 1987      Judge, San Diego Superior Court
1987 - current      Appointed to Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One

• Appointed at age 37 (youngest person  to be appointed to any appellate court in California) ; .
• First Woman appointed to Fourth District Division One.
• Candidate for California Supreme court 1986, 1988

Current membership positions:

Appellate Indigent Defense Oversight Committee - Judicial Council Subcommittee: conducts quarterly audits of all Appellate Projects; Special Master List; Appellate Inn of Court

Recent Awards:
Distinguished Alumni Award from University of San Diego School of Law; First recipient of the Napoleon A. Jones Jr.Award for Judicial Excellence for "Distinguished Service to Justice and Commitment to Diversity and Community Service