JUDGE HUGH MEANS AMERICAN INN OF COURT

The American Inns of Court Foundation was formed to help lawyers and judges rise to higher levels of ethical awareness. The result is a unique organization committed to creating more effective advocates and counselors by allowing less experienced attorneys to work side-by-side with the most experienced judges and attorneys in their community.

Membership consists of four membership categories. Masters level members include judges, experienced lawyers, and law professors. Barristers consist of experienced lawyers who do not yet meet the minimum requirements for Masters. Associates are less experienced lawyers who do not yet meet the minimum requirements for Barristers. Pupils are third-year law students.

The Inn meets six times each year for dinner and a program, beginning in September and ending in April. The membership is divided into six “pupilage teams,” with each team consisting of a few members from each category. Each month a different team presents the program on whatever legal issue that team selects. Team members meet informally outside of monthly Inn meetings to plan their program. This allows the less experienced attorneys to become more effective advocates and counselors by learning from the more experienced attorneys and judges.

Annual dues are by category, and are as follows: (1) Masters —$235; (2) Barristers—$205; (3) Associates—$150; and (4) Pupils – $80. Annual dues include not only the monthly dinner, but also one to two hours of CLE per meeting.

Aligned with Inns around the country, The Judge Hugh Means Inn of Court strives to improve the skills, professionalism and ethics of the local bench and bar. Please consider applying, and joining other lawyers, judges, and law professors in making our profession a better one. Letters of interest should be submitted to Terry Leibold, 1211 Massachusetts, Lawrence, Kansas 66044, or by email to tleibold@beszm.com.