This month’s column highlights the OCBA’s Inn of Court program, which is a very popular and valuable member benefit. Did you know that the Oakland County Bar Association has one of only five charters in Michigan for an American Inns of Court chapter? The Inns of Court is an association of lawyers, judges, and other legal professionals from all practice levels and backgrounds who share a passion for professional excellence. Through monthly meetings, members can build and strengthen professional relationships; discuss fundamental concerns about professionalism and pressing legal issues of the day; share experiences and advice; encourage passion and dedication for the law; provide mentoring opportunities; and advance the highest levels of integrity, ethics, and civility.
When my husband, Ryan, and I were newer attorneys, we participated in the OCBA Inn of Court program. It was an impactful and invaluable experience and one that aided both of us in the practice of law. We met so many wonderful attorneys who were eager to share their expertise in a fun and collegial atmosphere. The collaborative nature of the program is perfect for sharing ideas and learning tips and tricks from more-experienced attorneys. I would highly recommend this program to not only newer attorneys, but also attorneys who are looking for an opportunity to teach, mentor, and share their hard-earned knowledge.
The concept of the American Inns of Court (the Inn) is based upon the four English Inns of Court in London and their centuries-old tradition of senior lawyers and judges educating successive generations of advocates, with a focus on civility and professionalism. The Inn has 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.
The Inn is one of the very few legal organizations that involve the whole spectrum of the profession: from Supreme Court justices to every level of federal and state judges, from small firms to large firms, and from legal educators to law students. All Inn participants have the opportunity to learn and grow without limit.
This uniquely nonpartisan association encourages meaningful mentoring relationships. Inn members are divided into “pupillage teams,” with each team consisting of members from every level of practice experience. Each pupillage team is tasked with presenting one educational program that year. Pupillage team members meet informally outside of the monthly Inn meetings to plan and rehearse their assigned programs. Students and less-experienced attorneys learn from the more-experienced attorneys and judges in an environment that fosters collegiality, mentoring, professionalism, and informal discussion about the practice of law, principles, and methods.
Academics, 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.
OCBA Inn participants are divided into seven different teams of eight to ten people. Each team is led by a judge and contains masters (experienced attorneys) who help guide the team and mentor the newer attorneys and law students. The chapter meets monthly on the second Wednesday of the month at the OCBA in the evening from September through May (with December off). The September meeting is a fun kickoff meeting and orientation where participants meet their teammates. The May meeting includes the annual dinner to celebrate the year. Each team puts together a presentation for one of the meetings that is designed to help you hone your skills, learn a new skill, or learn about a different area of the law. Prior to the meeting during which you present, you will meet with members of your team three to four times, either in person or virtually, to plan your presentation. The mentors on your team often make themselves available to answer questions you may have outside of the Inn program. For the rest of the meetings, the other teams present on a legal topic, which provides you with the opportunity to learn about a number of different legal subjects. You may also ask questions of the presenters and offer feedback to them. Food and refreshments are served at each meeting, and there is time for networking after each presentation. The current cost to participate for the full year is $95 for associates (in practice zero to five years) and $180 for barristers (in practice six to fifteen years), judges, and masters. There is no cost for law students to participate. The cost covers the dues to the American Inns of Court, attendance at the September kickoff, staff time, and the food and refreshments at six meetings. There is an additional cost to attend the May annual dinner.
The OCBA is very proud that our Inn of Court chapter was recently recognized for the second year in a row at the Platinum level in the American Inns of Court’s Achieving Excellence program. An Inn is recognized at the Platinum level when it has met the highest standards of effective practices in each of the five core competencies of Inn management: administration, communications, program development, mentoring, and outreach activities.
If you would like more information on the OCBA Inn of Court, please visit ocba.org/inns.
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Melinda N. Deel, of Melinda N. Deel PLLC, is the 91st president of the Oakland County Bar Association.
When my husband, Ryan, and I were newer attorneys, we participated in the OCBA Inn of Court program. It was an impactful and invaluable experience and one that aided both of us in the practice of law. We met so many wonderful attorneys who were eager to share their expertise in a fun and collegial atmosphere. The collaborative nature of the program is perfect for sharing ideas and learning tips and tricks from more-experienced attorneys. I would highly recommend this program to not only newer attorneys, but also attorneys who are looking for an opportunity to teach, mentor, and share their hard-earned knowledge.
The concept of the American Inns of Court (the Inn) is based upon the four English Inns of Court in London and their centuries-old tradition of senior lawyers and judges educating successive generations of advocates, with a focus on civility and professionalism. The Inn has 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.
The Inn is one of the very few legal organizations that involve the whole spectrum of the profession: from Supreme Court justices to every level of federal and state judges, from small firms to large firms, and from legal educators to law students. All Inn participants have the opportunity to learn and grow without limit.
This uniquely nonpartisan association encourages meaningful mentoring relationships. Inn members are divided into “pupillage teams,” with each team consisting of members from every level of practice experience. Each pupillage team is tasked with presenting one educational program that year. Pupillage team members meet informally outside of the monthly Inn meetings to plan and rehearse their assigned programs. Students and less-experienced attorneys learn from the more-experienced attorneys and judges in an environment that fosters collegiality, mentoring, professionalism, and informal discussion about the practice of law, principles, and methods.
Academics, 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.
OCBA Inn participants are divided into seven different teams of eight to ten people. Each team is led by a judge and contains masters (experienced attorneys) who help guide the team and mentor the newer attorneys and law students. The chapter meets monthly on the second Wednesday of the month at the OCBA in the evening from September through May (with December off). The September meeting is a fun kickoff meeting and orientation where participants meet their teammates. The May meeting includes the annual dinner to celebrate the year. Each team puts together a presentation for one of the meetings that is designed to help you hone your skills, learn a new skill, or learn about a different area of the law. Prior to the meeting during which you present, you will meet with members of your team three to four times, either in person or virtually, to plan your presentation. The mentors on your team often make themselves available to answer questions you may have outside of the Inn program. For the rest of the meetings, the other teams present on a legal topic, which provides you with the opportunity to learn about a number of different legal subjects. You may also ask questions of the presenters and offer feedback to them. Food and refreshments are served at each meeting, and there is time for networking after each presentation. The current cost to participate for the full year is $95 for associates (in practice zero to five years) and $180 for barristers (in practice six to fifteen years), judges, and masters. There is no cost for law students to participate. The cost covers the dues to the American Inns of Court, attendance at the September kickoff, staff time, and the food and refreshments at six meetings. There is an additional cost to attend the May annual dinner.
The OCBA is very proud that our Inn of Court chapter was recently recognized for the second year in a row at the Platinum level in the American Inns of Court’s Achieving Excellence program. An Inn is recognized at the Platinum level when it has met the highest standards of effective practices in each of the five core competencies of Inn management: administration, communications, program development, mentoring, and outreach activities.
If you would like more information on the OCBA Inn of Court, please visit ocba.org/inns.
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Melinda N. Deel, of Melinda N. Deel PLLC, is the 91st president of the Oakland County Bar Association.
