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A PRACTICE THAT SPANS GENERATIONS

A Bryan / College Station

Divorce and Family Law Firm

 

979-822-8533

500 E 29th St, Bryan, TX 77803

PRACTICE AREAS

FAMILY LAW SERVICES

Amy's family has lived in the Bryan - College Station area for seven generations, and we understand the courts and the unique issues here.

We know how important it is to protect your rights and protect your family. 

Our promise is to provide you with the same kind of legal representation that we would want for our own families. 

Our office is located on in Historic Downtown Bryan only a few blocks from the Brazos County Courthouse.

DIVORCE

We are tenacious, compassionate, and experienced. Our firm has handled thousands of cases in the Brazos Valley.

We help clients navigate the division of simple and complex estates, and we understand that each case has unique issues. 

Our goal is to achieve the best possible result for our clients and to help them move through divorce as painlessly as possible. Most cases are resolved outside of court.

 

If a case cannot be resolved in mediation, we are zealous, passionate advocates in the courtroom.

ADOPTION

Although adoption is a joyous occasion, the laws in Texas are very specific and complex and require a skilled attorney to help guide you through the process.

 

We understand the laws regarding adoption and can help you avoid potential pitfalls and delays.

Types of cases we handle:

  • Step-parent adoption

  • Adoption by single or unmarried persons

  • Termination of parental rights prior to adoption

CHILD CUSTODY

There is no other civil litigation where the stakes are so high and the outcome is so important. 

We cannot ethically guarantee a result, but we promise your case will be handled with a focus on achieving a result that is in the best interest of your children.

We will fight for you and your children the same way we would fight for our own. 

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ATTORNEYS

OUR ATTORNEYS

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Amy A. Banks

Owner, Banks & Banks Attorney at Law P/C.

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EDUCATION


Southern Methodist University
Dedman School of Law in Dallas, Texas
Juris Doctor 2009, Dean's Scholarship Recipient


Austin College in Sherman, Texas
Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Political Science & English 2003

 

EXPERIENCE

  • Board Certified (Family Law), Texas Board of Legal Specialization

  • Brazos County Drug Court, Criminal Defense Attorney, 2012-2014

  • SMU Criminal Justice Clinic, Student Attorney, 2009

  • Brazos County Adult Probation Officer, 2005-2006

  • Teach For America, Third Grade Teacher, San Jose, CA, 2003-2005

  • Voted Best Attorney 2020 (Bryan/College Station Eagle), Favorite Attorney 2021 and 2022.

 

INSTRUCTOR


Blinn College - Texas Government and Business Law, 2009-2012

 

MEMBERSHIPS

  • Texas Bar Foundation Fellow

  • Brazos County Bar Association

  • State Bar of Texas

  • Brazos County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

  • Texas Family Law Foundation

  • St. Thomas Early Learning Center, President of School Board 2020 to 2022

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Hayley Harrison

Associate, Banks & Banks Attorney at Law P/C.

EDUCATION

South Texas College of Law Houston in Houston, Texas

Juris Doctor 2017, Pro Bono Honors

 

Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science,

Minor in Tourism Resource Management 2014

EXPERIENCE

  • South Texas College of Law Guardianship Clinic, 2017

  • Intern, Montgomery County Women’s Center, 2015

  • Intern, Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse, 2016

 

MEMBERSHIPS

  • Brazos County Bar Association

  • State Bar of Texas

  • President - Junior League of Bryan-College Station, Inc.

  • 100 Women of BCS

  • Member Central Church

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Make an Appointment

The fastest way to get on the schedule is using this real-time calendar system.

Schedule with: Amy A. Banks

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Schedule with: Hayley Harrison

CONTACT

CONTACT
BANKS & BANKS ATTORNEYS AT LAW, P.C.

Banks & Banks Attorneys at Law P.C. address:

500 East 29th St. Bryan, TX 77803

Telephone: 979-822-8533

For general information regarding the firm, please email: mary@bankslawyers.com

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OUR FOUNDER

 A MEMORIAL TO OUR FOUNDER
Philip C. Banks
1950-2022

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Philip Carl Banks was born November 5, 1950 in Bryan, Texas. His parents were devoted Aggie football fans, and they attended the Texas A&M and Arkansas football game that day. The doctor was upset because he had to leave the game before the end in order to welcome Phil into the world (fortunately, the Aggies won). Phil loved his hometown and the people in it.

Phil graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1969. He sailed across the Atlantic Ocean on the T.S. Texas Clipper with the maritime academy following high school and frequently reminisced about his adventures at sea.  He returned home and obtained a bachelor's degree in sociology from Texas A&M University in 1973 and a Masters in Urban Planning from Texas A&M University in 1975.

In 1974, Phil met his true love, Martha Jane Clemmer Banks. They married in 1975 and celebrated their forty-seventh wedding anniversary. Phil worshiped Martha and worked hard every day to make her proud. When asked by his grandchildren to describe his favorite boss, he said, “I married her.”

Phil lived almost all of his life in Brazos County embedded in the legal community. His grandfather, William Edgar Neeley, was a successful lawyer, as were numerous uncles and cousins. With the love and support of Martha and relentless hard work, Phil obtained a law degree from St. Mary’s University in 1981. Phil returned to Bryan to practice law and went on to open his own practice on April 1, 1984. He loved joking about opening the office on April  Fool’s Day.

In 1985, Phil became the College Station Chief Municipal Judge. He served in that capacity until 1992, and he was elected as the Director of the Texas Municipal Courts Association. Phil made national news when he held a monthly “Court in the Park” at Central Park in College Station.

Phil taught government, Texas history, and business law at Blinn College. He enjoyed teaching and was a natural educator. For a time, he also taught twice a week at the Pack 1 prison unit in Navasota. He said that the prisoners were some of his best students

Phil had countless significant legal victories. Some of his most proud legal accomplishments included: ferociously defending individuals and a class of cancer patients in the Elf Atochem arsenic poisoning toxic tort case, successfully overturning the cause of death in the storied case of Henry Marshall which made international news, and fighting for citizens accused of serious crimes including in the Soldier of Fortune murder case. Phil always said that “everyone, no matter who they are or what they are accused of doing, deserves a good defense.” In 2009, his daughter Amy joined his practice and became his law partner at Banks & Banks, Attorneys at Law, P.C. Phil and Amy loved being a “father-daughter defense team.” He devoted his life to fighting for underdogs and the downtrodden and along with Martha inspired all of his daughters to pursue helping professions.

In 2009,  in the midst of a contentious time in the local courthouse, Phil created Atticus Finch Day with his longtime friendly adversary, Shane Phelps. Atticus Finch Day is held annually to remind our local legal community about the importance of collegiality even in the relentless pursuit of justice. In 2023 an Endowed Scholarship was established in Phil's name for Aggie Lawyers.

Phil enjoyed mentoring young lawyers and giving heartfelt advice. He was happiest when he was telling a long and funny story with an audience. Phil was known throughout the community as a kind and good man, and he will be missed by many.

Although Phil’s prowess in the courtroom was legendary, he was most proud of being a father to his three daughters. Despite his work commitments, the girls do not remember Phil ever missing a sporting event, play, ceremony, or school event. He was the best father and was treasured by each of his children.

In his free time, Phil loved spending time with his Hereford cattle on his 5B Ranch in Iola. Phil was a walking encyclopedia of Texas history, and he was considered an expert on the JFK assassination and interviewed for many television programs.

Phil said that his life was completed when he became a PawPaw to his four grandchildren. His memory will undoubtedly be a blessing to them and to all who knew and loved him.

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