For Iris Janke, the Circle Closes a Bit as she Takes on her New Role as Senior State Prosecutor in Offenburg
In a heartwarming turn of events, Iris Janke finds herself returning to Offenburg to begin her new position as the Senior State Prosecutor. Reflecting on her journey, she reveals, “During my legal studies in Freiburg, I completed an internship at the Offenburg District Court. I really enjoyed it.” Despite initially training as a bank clerk, she asserts, “I wouldn’t want to miss out on that experience. It allowed me to gain a lot of knowledge about the banking industry, and the practical work experience was invaluable before pursuing my studies.”
While working in the banking sector, Janke’s interest in law began to emerge. She explains, “I was always most interested in legal issues.” Encouraged by her husband’s job, the native of Lower Saxony eventually finds herself in the southwest of Germany, studying law at the University of Freiburg. She has never regretted the transition from banking to the legal profession. Her decision to join the prosecution service was no coincidence either. Janke shares, “I completed my legal clerkship with a criminal defense lawyer in Freiburg. I dealt with practical and exciting cases that were very close to real life. It brought me a lot of joy and fit me well.” Despite this, her greater interest lay in working for the prosecution. When Iris Janke speaks about it, it becomes immediately apparent that this side of legal proceedings is where she thrives. “As a state prosecutor, I conduct investigations and shape the process. The job is incredibly diverse,” she explains.
A Career Built on Varied and Challenging Cases
Since 1995, Iris Janke has worked in the judicial service of the state of Baden-Württemberg. After initial assignments at the District and Regional Courts of Baden-Baden, the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Freiburg, and the District Court in Freiburg, she held various roles at the Public Prosecutor’s Offices in Freiburg, Waldshut-Tiengen, and Lörrach, before assuming the position of Senior State Prosecutor in Offenburg.
As a prosecutor, Iris Janke has dealt with serious crimes on numerous occasions. However, she emphasizes the importance of professionalism in handling such cases. “One must make sensible decisions and seek justice,” she says. Janke believes that as a prosecutor, one also has a societal responsibility, which, alongside the diversity and intrigue of the cases, adds an extra allure to her work.
While all kinds of cases have left an impression on Janke, she particularly remembers capital offenses. “But I also recall a major investment fraud case that I worked on. It involved a Ponzi scheme with a significant amount of damage. It was both challenging and exciting,” she recounts. Over the course of her career, she has also tackled non-natural deaths and what are known as “Cold Cases” – previously unresolved criminal cases.
A Leadership Style Focused on Collaboration and Good Spirits
In her role as Senior State Prosecutor, Janke particularly values the collaboration within her team. “Working with people brings me joy. I find my colleagues’ input invaluable, as the best results are achieved through our collective ideas,” she explains. She describes her leadership style as transparent and underscores the importance of maintaining a positive atmosphere, saying, “And it’s crucial to have good spirits,” with a gleeful smile.
