How The Inn Works
Active Members are organized into pupilage groups of roughly ten people, each group having two or more lawyers (or judges) from each membership category. At the first eight of the nine "academic year" meetings (all except the final meeting in May) each team presents an educational program. The topics vary, though all have to do with the Inn’s principal purposes, often presented by dramatic skits or demonstrations, and always followed by lively discussion among the audience and the group. At the May meeting we have a banquet celebrating the Chapter’s accomplishments for the year.
Active Members are organized into pupilage groups of roughly ten people, each group having two or more lawyers (or judges) from each membership category. At the first eight of the nine "academic year" meetings (all except the final meeting in May) each team presents an educational program. The topics vary, though all have to do with the Inn’s principal purposes, often presented by dramatic skits or demonstrations, and always followed by lively discussion among the audience and the group. At the May meeting we have a banquet celebrating the Chapter’s accomplishments for the year.
MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES
The Edward J. McFetridge American Inn of Court maintains a membership of approximately 100 attorneys and judges, as well as a small number of inactive members. The active membership is equally divided among three categories: Associates, Barristers, Masters. Associates are attorneys with less than eight years of experience. Barristers have eight to twenty years of experience. Masters are either judges or attorneys with over twenty years of experience. Inactive members include Masters‐At‐Large and Masters‐Emeritus. Masters‐At‐Large are former Masters in good standing who have participated actively in the past but no longer able to attend more than a few Inn meetings each year. Masters‐Emeritus membership is reserved for former Masters who have provided long and distinguished service to the Inn. Admission to membership in both of these categories is determined in the discretion of the Executive Committee of the Inn.
THE PUPILAGE GROUP SYSTEM
The pupilage group system is the foundation of the Inn’s organizational structure. Every active member belongs to one of eight pupilage groups. Inactive members are invited, but not required, to participate in their assigned pupilage groups. As a general rule, each group will contain an equal number of Associates, Barristers, and Masters. The primary responsibility of each group is to coordinate one of the monthly educational programs. The group, however, is also encouraged to meet informally throughout the year to facilitate social interaction between newer attorneys and seasoned judges and attorneys. Each group is led by a designated program leader, and generally will include at least one judge.
MEMBERSHIP ROTATION
In order to provide the Inn experience to as many attorneys as possible, membership in the Associate and Barrister categories is subject to a mandatory rotation policy. Associate and Barrister members serve two year terms with an option to do a third year. Terms are based on academic year, beginning in September and ending in May, and are staggered so that every year one‐third of the Associates and Barristers rotate out of the Inn. Masters, including Masters‐At‐Large and Masters‐Emeritus, may serve as many terms as they desire so long as they remain in good standing.
REQUIREMENTS OF MEMBERSHIP
Because interaction between less experienced attorneys and more senior attorneys is essential to achieving the Inn’s purpose of fostering collegiality and excellence in the legal profession, poor attendance may lead to membership termination. This policy is necessary to maintain active participation in Inn activities. The Inn’s bylaws provide that any active member who misses more than three meetings in one academic year is deemed to have submitted his or her resignation. The Executive Committee may accept or reject this resignation in its discretion, and it may consider all facts reasonably relating to the question of resignation, including excuses or explanation for absences. The Invitations to become a member of the Inn for the 2017-19 with an option to renew to 2020 will be determined by the end of May 2017. All persons applying should be willing and able to fulfill the obligations of Inn membership which include, but are not limited to
1. Attending at least five of the eight monthly Inn meetings;
2. Fully participating in pupilage groups and attending at least four of your assigned group meetings;
3. Being responsible and responsive to your pupilage group task assignments.
Membership will be relinquished due to inability to abide by the above participation level.
The meetings start at 6:00 and end by 7:15. They are held at 450 Golden Gate Avenue, Courtroom 10 on the 19th floor. When the program is over, the group walks to a pre-selected restaurant for a convivial meal and a toast, usually by one of the more senior judges or attorneys, and often stories and jokes add to the good cheer.
Our members unanimously agree that they have learned a lot and enjoyed themselves in this collegial way of learning the craft of the trial lawyer. Many of the Associate and Barrister members, upon completion of their terms, sign up again and get back on the waiting list. There is, and has been from the beginning, a waiting list of applicants who would like to join our Chapter. Since applicants are chosen from these lists principally on the basis of the date of application, lawyers interested in joining should apply at their earliest opportunity.
Membership dues range from $500, $520, $635 to $700 per year. The dues include dinners and eight hours of MCLE credit. Considering the excellent meals, the cost per MCLE credit is extremely reasonable. It is, in our opinion, the most enjoyable and practical learning experience of its kind available to trial lawyers in California.
The Edward J. McFetridge American Inn of Court maintains a membership of approximately 100 attorneys and judges, as well as a small number of inactive members. The active membership is equally divided among three categories: Associates, Barristers, Masters. Associates are attorneys with less than eight years of experience. Barristers have eight to twenty years of experience. Masters are either judges or attorneys with over twenty years of experience. Inactive members include Masters‐At‐Large and Masters‐Emeritus. Masters‐At‐Large are former Masters in good standing who have participated actively in the past but no longer able to attend more than a few Inn meetings each year. Masters‐Emeritus membership is reserved for former Masters who have provided long and distinguished service to the Inn. Admission to membership in both of these categories is determined in the discretion of the Executive Committee of the Inn.
THE PUPILAGE GROUP SYSTEM
The pupilage group system is the foundation of the Inn’s organizational structure. Every active member belongs to one of eight pupilage groups. Inactive members are invited, but not required, to participate in their assigned pupilage groups. As a general rule, each group will contain an equal number of Associates, Barristers, and Masters. The primary responsibility of each group is to coordinate one of the monthly educational programs. The group, however, is also encouraged to meet informally throughout the year to facilitate social interaction between newer attorneys and seasoned judges and attorneys. Each group is led by a designated program leader, and generally will include at least one judge.
MEMBERSHIP ROTATION
In order to provide the Inn experience to as many attorneys as possible, membership in the Associate and Barrister categories is subject to a mandatory rotation policy. Associate and Barrister members serve two year terms with an option to do a third year. Terms are based on academic year, beginning in September and ending in May, and are staggered so that every year one‐third of the Associates and Barristers rotate out of the Inn. Masters, including Masters‐At‐Large and Masters‐Emeritus, may serve as many terms as they desire so long as they remain in good standing.
REQUIREMENTS OF MEMBERSHIP
Because interaction between less experienced attorneys and more senior attorneys is essential to achieving the Inn’s purpose of fostering collegiality and excellence in the legal profession, poor attendance may lead to membership termination. This policy is necessary to maintain active participation in Inn activities. The Inn’s bylaws provide that any active member who misses more than three meetings in one academic year is deemed to have submitted his or her resignation. The Executive Committee may accept or reject this resignation in its discretion, and it may consider all facts reasonably relating to the question of resignation, including excuses or explanation for absences. The Invitations to become a member of the Inn for the 2017-19 with an option to renew to 2020 will be determined by the end of May 2017. All persons applying should be willing and able to fulfill the obligations of Inn membership which include, but are not limited to
1. Attending at least five of the eight monthly Inn meetings;
2. Fully participating in pupilage groups and attending at least four of your assigned group meetings;
3. Being responsible and responsive to your pupilage group task assignments.
Membership will be relinquished due to inability to abide by the above participation level.
The meetings start at 6:00 and end by 7:15. They are held at 450 Golden Gate Avenue, Courtroom 10 on the 19th floor. When the program is over, the group walks to a pre-selected restaurant for a convivial meal and a toast, usually by one of the more senior judges or attorneys, and often stories and jokes add to the good cheer.
Our members unanimously agree that they have learned a lot and enjoyed themselves in this collegial way of learning the craft of the trial lawyer. Many of the Associate and Barrister members, upon completion of their terms, sign up again and get back on the waiting list. There is, and has been from the beginning, a waiting list of applicants who would like to join our Chapter. Since applicants are chosen from these lists principally on the basis of the date of application, lawyers interested in joining should apply at their earliest opportunity.
Membership dues range from $500, $520, $635 to $700 per year. The dues include dinners and eight hours of MCLE credit. Considering the excellent meals, the cost per MCLE credit is extremely reasonable. It is, in our opinion, the most enjoyable and practical learning experience of its kind available to trial lawyers in California.