Born in Bakersfield, California, Byrne received a Bachelor of Laws from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, California in 1929.

He was a member of the California State Assembly from 1925 to 1931, serving as Speaker pro tem from 1927 to 1931.

[1] Byrne received a recess appointment from President Harry S. Truman on September 27, 1950, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of California vacated by Judge James Francis Thaddeus O'Connor.

Byrne was reassigned by operation of law to the United States District Court for the Central District of California on September 18, 1966, pursuant to 80 Stat.

His service terminated on March 9, 1974, due to his death.