Ralph Langley

Past Chair

At the time of his death on October 16, 2003, Ralph Langley was one of this firm’s two named shareholders and still actively participated in the firm by coming into the office on a daily basis. He had been licensed to practice for sixty-six years and epitomized what every lawyer strives to be. He was an outstanding attorney who was recognized by his peers through election as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He served as President of the San Antonio Bar Association and as a Director of the State Bar of Texas and was one of the six founders of the School Law Section of the State Bar Association. Mr. Langley not only trained young attorneys in his own firm in the intricacies of a profession he loved, but also served as a mentor to many young attorneys in the general San Antonio community. He was a Master of the Bench in the William Sessions Chapter of the American Inns of Court and, in 1999, received the Joe Frazier Brown Award of Excellence for outstanding leadership and service to the members of the legal community and the citizens of the State of Texas.

In addition to his active service to the legal community, Mr. Langley served the San Antonio community as Chairman of the Board of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Board of the San Antonio Public Library System. He served on many Bond Study Groups for the City of San Antonio and he also served as a member of the San Antonio Charter Revision Commission. He was a charter member of the San Antonio Good Government League and was instrumental in the adoption of the Council-Manager form of government for San Antonio. Mr. Langley also served two terms as President of the Oak Hills Country Club. Since his graduation from the University of Texas School of Law in 1937, the only time that Mr. Langley did not practice law was during his service in World War II when served in the United States Army from 1941-1946. He rose from the rank of 2nd Lieutenant to Lt. Col. and received the Bronze Star for his service in the China Burma India Theater of Operations where he was Deputy Fiscal Director.

The lessons he taught were simple, but not easily forgotten. Mr. Langley espoused that hard work, preparation, and loyalty to the client were paramount virtues to be found in an effective and accomplished attorney. He taught that “zealous advocacy” was not antithetical to civility or professionalism. He desired all attorneys to be active participants in both the legal and the overall community in which they lived and practiced. Mr. Langley also recognized that a legal career did not justify a diminishment in meeting one’s obligations to family, church or fellow citizens. While it would be very difficult to equal Ralph Langley’s accomplishments, it certainly is a goal of Langley & Banack to emulate his efforts and examples.

Education: University of Texas School of Law, J.D., 1937

Professional & Civic Associations

American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
San Antonio Bar Association, President
State Bar of Texas, Director and Founder of School Law Section
Inns of Court, San Antonio Chapter, Master of the Bench