Membership

What is an Inn of Court?

The American Inns of Court is an association of lawyers, judges, and other legal professionals from all levels and backgrounds who share a passion for professional excellence. Through regular meetings, members are able to build and strengthen professional relationships; discuss fundamental concerns about professionalism and pressing legal issues of the day; share experiences and advice; exhort the utmost passion and dedication for the law; provide mentoring opportunities; and advance the highest levels of integrity, ethics, and civility. Our Inns have gained a national and international reputation as an organization that bridges the gap between formal law school education and legal practice by offering career-long continuing education in the Common Law tradition.

This uniquely non-partisan association encourages meaningful mentoring relationships. We are one of the very few legal organizations that involve the whole spectrum of the profession: from law students to supreme court justices; every level of federal and state judges, small firms to large firms; legal educators to law students. All have the opportunity to learn and grow without limit.

Membership is divided into "pupillage teams," with each team consisting of a few members from each membership category depending on the members' level of experience. Each pupillage team conducts one program for the Inn each year. Pupillage team members gather informally outside of monthly meetings in groups of two or more. This allows the less-experienced attorneys to become more effective advocates and counselors by learning from the more-experienced attorneys and judges.

In this collegial environment, outside the courtroom and pressure of daily practice, members discuss legal practice, principles, and methods. Academicians, specialized practitioners, and complementing generalists provide a mix of skill, theory, experience, and passion. This fluid, side-by-side approach allows seasoned judges and attorneys to help shape students and newer lawyers with practical guidance in serving the law and seeking justice.

Join the Judge Hugh Means Inn of Court

The Inn of Court has four membership levels: Pupil, Associate, Barrister, and Master of the Bench. Please complete the online membership form and bring the associated dues to your first Inn meeting.  Or if you prefer a paper form, please complete this membership form and bring the form with the associated dues to an Inn meeting. Meetings of the Judge Hugh Means Inn of Court are listed in Events.

Emeritus, Honorary, and Alumni Member Engagement

Besides our active membership, the Judge Hugh Means Inn of Court has a strong history built and supported by our talented alumni members. We are grateful for their past participation and continue to try and keep our alumni engaged in our Inn events throughout the year. Additionally, we are working to expand our emeritus and honorary membership categories, as we recognize those active and alumni members with long and distinguished service to the Inn, as well as those non-members who exemplify distinguished service to the bench or bar. If you have questions, or need to be added or update your contact information as a former Inn member, please Contact Us and send us a message with alumni membership in the subject line.