American Inns of Court
The American Inns of Court started in the United States in the early 1980s. In 1985 the American Inns of Court Foundation was organized to support the Inns and to promote the goals of legal excellence, civility, professionalism, and ethics on a national level. The American Inns of Court movement has grown to nearly 400 chartered American Inns of Court throughout the United States.
Membership Levels
Members of the Inn are divided into membership categories depending on their level of experience. The three current levels of the Inn are Associates, Barristers, and Masters of the Bench. A description of each level is provided bellow. Each of these groups add to our discussion and learning at meetings.
Associate
Associates are generally younger lawyers with up to seven years of experience.
Barrister
Barristers are experienced lawyers who have between eight and fifteen years of experience.
Master of the Bench
Masters of the Bench (who are generally known as “Benchers”) are the most experienced members of the profession, including attorneys and members of the judiciary. Benchers typically have sixteen or more years of legal experience after admission to the Bar.
Our Founding and Logo
The Dallas Insurance Law American Inn of Court is the first American Inn of Court to focus on Insurance Law. The Inn of Court was founded by Judge David Horan, Marc Gravely, and Matthew Kolodoski, who saw the need to have an Inn of Court for the specialized Insurance Law practitioners in Texas. Specifically, they sought to create an Inn that facilitated high-level discussion and debate on current Insurance Law topics for the benefit of the Bench and Bar.
The American Inns of Court Foundation chartered the Inn in 2023.
The Dallas Insurance Law American Inn of Court’s logo looks back to the early roots of shipping and maritime trade in the insurance industry.
Pupillage Teams
Our members are each organized into a pupillage team that leads one program for the Inn each year. Pupillage team members are encouraged to gather informally outside of monthly meetings in smaller groups. This allows the less-experienced attorneys to become more effective advocates and counselors by learning from the more-experienced attorneys and judges.
North Texas Inns
North Texas is home to twelve American Inns of Court that provide opportunities for members of the legal community. Each year in January, the North Texas Inns come together for a joint meeting hosted by one of the Inns.
The Eldon B. Mahon American Inn of Court
The Hon. Barbara M. G. Lynn American Inn of Court
The Hon. John C. Ford American Inn of Court
The Patrick E. Higginbotham American Inn of Court
The Judge Paul Brown American Inn of Court
The Annette Stewart American Inn of Court
The William “Mac” Taylor American Inn of Court
The Curt B. Henderson American Inn of Court
The Dallas Probate American Inn of Court
The Hon. T. John Ward American Inn of Court
The North Texas Federal Criminal Law American Inn of Court
The Dallas Insurance Law American Inn of Court